When most users try to delete a file in Windows, they will highlight the item in question and then hit the Delete key on their keyboard. You can also right-click on a file or an entire folder to choose a deletion option there as well. This process will send the data to your Recycle Bin, which allows you to restore the file with a couple of clicks.
If you accidentally hit the Shift and Delete keys on your keyboard at the same time, then the command you give Windows is different. This shortcut will permanently delete the file. You will encounter this problem if you empty your Recycle Bin on your system as well.
Although Windows 10 tells you that the files are gone for good, there are ways to get them back if you take prompt action.
Recover Permanently Deleted Files Using Windows 10
Follow these steps, and you can recover the files which were permanently deleted from your device. Before following this sequence of events, it is imperative that you discontinue using your system or the affected drive to prevent a data overwrite.
Continuing to use your device or drive may increase the risk of file loss.
- Use Windows Backup
If you accidentally sent through a permanent delete command instead of sending a file to the recycling bin, then your recent Windows Backup might be able to restore your deleted data. Go to your control panel, visit system and maintenance, and then restore your files through the wizard.
You may need to select another backup for file restoration if the first command is not visible. Some systems may not find a viable option on your computer.
- Restore a Previous Version
You can also recover deleted files from Windows 10 by restoring to a previous version. You can do this thanks to File History. Start by right-clicking on the folder which contained the data you want to restore. Then choose “Restore Previous Versions.”
You will see a list of the versions which are available for access. Then you can either drag-and-drop the desired option to a location on your operating system or hit the restore command. It helps to use an external storage device with this option to prevent an accidental overwriting of your files.
- Use File Recovery Software
Another way to find the files that you may have accidentally permanently deleted on Windows 10 is to use file recovery software.
Using Disk Drill will help you to scan your folders, HDD, and devices to see if the file is still available to retrieve. You can use it to search through a solid-state drive if you want as well. That makes it one of the easiest ways to recover deleted files from Windows.
Get Your Files Before They Are Gone!
Always try to keep an updated backup of your critical files to prevent the loss of your data. There are multiple options available to you today, ranging from an external drive to cloud-based storage. Many of the services are free.
Then make sure that you have a file recovery utility like Disk Drill available to manage the unexpected moments when something might happen.
You can also enable File History with your operating system, which will automatically keep a shadow copy of your information to a network drive or USB connection.
You can recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10 when you take immediate action using the steps above. Get started today to ensure that you can restore your data before it’s gone for good.
