How do you recover permanently deleted files​?

Losing important files, whether it’s an important work document, cherished photos, or critical system files, can be a stressful experience. However, what many people don’t realize is that “permanently deleted” doesn’t always mean “gone forever.” In fact, it’s possible to recover permanently deleted files in many cases, provided you act swiftly and with the right tools.

1. File Deletion and the Concept of “Permanent Deletion”

Before diving into recovery techniques, it’s essential to understand the mechanics of file deletion on a computer. When you delete a file on your system, it doesn’t disappear immediately. Instead, the file is marked as “deleted” and its data is typically moved to a reserved part of the storage drive.

Recycle Bin Deletion

For most files on Windows or macOS, when they are deleted, they are sent to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS). These files can easily be restored as long as they haven’t been permanently deleted by emptying the Recycle Bin.

Permanent Deletion

When you empty the Recycle Bin or use “Shift + Delete” on a Windows PC, the file is marked as deleted, and its space on the disk is marked as available for use. This space is not immediately overwritten; it remains dormant until the system writes new data to it. As long as the space hasn’t been overwritten, there’s a high chance you can recover the file.

In summary, “permanent deletion” is really about the system making the space available for reuse. The actual data could still be on the drive for some time.

2. The Steps to Take Immediately After Deleting Files

The success of file recovery largely depends on how quickly you act after realizing that files have been permanently deleted. Here’s what you should do immediately:

Stop Using the Drive: If you continue using the drive, the chances of new data overwriting your deleted files increase. As soon as you realize files are deleted, stop writing new data to the drive.

Check Backup Sources: If you have backups in place (via cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, or local backup software), check to see if the deleted files can be retrieved from there.

Avoid Installing Software: Installing new software or updates can overwrite the space where your deleted files reside. If you’re using a Windows PC, don’t install recovery software on the drive you’re trying to recover files from.

3. File Recovery Methods

Now that you understand the situation and the immediate steps to take, it’s time to explore the various methods available for recovering permanently deleted files.

3.1. Use Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a powerful data recovery software designed to help users retrieve lost, deleted, or corrupted files from various storage devices, including hard drives, USB drives, SD cards, and more. With an intuitive interface and advanced scanning algorithms, Panda Assistant makes it easy to recover a wide range of file types, such as documents, photos, videos, and audio files. Whether a file was accidentally deleted, lost due to a system crash, or corrupted from formatting, Panda Assistant provides an effective solution for restoring important data.

The software offers features like deep scanning, previewing files before recovery, and supporting a wide array of file systems (e.g., NTFS, FAT32. exFAT). It also supports multiple languages, making it accessible to users worldwide. Panda Assistant’s fast recovery process and simple step-by-step guidance ensure that even non-technical users can retrieve their files with minimal effort. Whether you’re a casual user looking to restore family photos or a professional in need of a more advanced recovery tool, Panda Assistant is a versatile and reliable solution to safeguard your valuable data.

3.2. Recover Files from Backup

If you regularly back up your files, the task of recovering permanently deleted files becomes much easier. Depending on your backup method, you may have several options:

Windows File History: Windows has a built-in backup feature called File History. If enabled, you can restore previous versions of files by right-clicking on a file or folder and selecting “Restore previous versions.”

Cloud Backup: Services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox automatically back up your files and allow you to restore previous versions.

Time Machine (macOS): If you use macOS, Time Machine is a powerful tool that automatically backs up your files. Open Time Machine, navigate to the date you want, and recover the files.

3.3. Check for “Previous Versions” or Shadow Copies

Windows offers a feature known as “Previous Versions” or “Shadow Copies,” which may help recover older versions of files, even after deletion. To use this feature:

Right-click on the Folder: Navigate to the folder where your file was stored.

Select ‘Restore previous versions’: If this option is available, you’ll see a list of versions of the folder, which you can open and restore from.

Select the Version to Restore: Choose the version you want to recover, and then select “Restore” to get the files back.

This method only works if you had System Protection enabled and if Windows created backups of your files before the deletion.

3.4. Use Command Prompt (Advanced Users)

For more advanced users, Windows offers some command-line options that can sometimes help with file recovery. The built-in command chkdsk can be used to scan the drive for errors and potentially restore lost data. However, this method doesn’t guarantee success and is more for expert users.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Type chkdsk /f [drive letter] and press Enter. Replace [drive letter] with the letter corresponding to your drive.

Let the process complete and check if any files are recoverable.

3.5. Consult Professional Data Recovery Services

If software solutions fail to recover your files, and the data is extremely valuable, consider consulting a professional data recovery service. These services have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from damaged or failed drives, but they can be expensive.

Some well-known data recovery services include:

DriveSavers

Ontrack

Secure Data Recovery

Professional services often offer no-recovery, no-fee policies, so you only pay if the recovery is successful.

4. How to Prevent Permanent Deletion in the Future

While it’s great to know how to recover deleted files, it’s even better to prevent data loss in the first place. Here are some essential tips to protect your files:

Use Cloud Storage: Services like Google Drive, iCloud, and OneDrive automatically back up your files. With cloud storage, even if you delete something from your local drive, a copy may remain in the cloud.

Enable File History or Time Machine: Set up automatic backups on your PC or Mac to ensure that older versions of files are saved.

Use Data Recovery Software Regularly: Some recovery software solutions offer real-time scanning, which can help detect file loss before it becomes permanent.

Schedule Regular Backups: Use software like Acronis True Image or EaseUS Todo Backup to schedule regular backups of your entire system, including files, folders, and the operating system.

5. Final Thoughts

While recovering permanently deleted files may seem daunting, it is possible in many situations, particularly if the files haven’t been overwritten by new data. Whether you opt for data recovery software, rely on backups, or call in professional help, the most important thing is to act quickly and avoid using the affected drive.