Can i restore permanently deleted files​?

Accidentally deleting files can be frustrating and disheartening, especially when they are permanently deleted from your system. However, the good news is that in many cases, permanently deleted files can still be recovered. This is possible because when a file is deleted, it isn’t completely erased from your system. Instead, the operating system marks the storage space as available for reuse, but the actual data remains until it’s overwritten by new information.

When a file is deleted permanently (e.g., emptied from the Recycle Bin or deleted using Shift + Delete), the system doesn’t immediately erase the file. Instead:

The file’s entry in the file system is removed.

This means the file no longer appears in the file directory.

The space occupied by the file is marked as available.

The system considers this space free to store new data.

The actual data remains intact until overwritten.

The file can still be recovered if the data hasn’t been replaced.

This behavior underlines the importance of acting quickly if you want to recover files, as continued use of your device increases the likelihood of overwriting the data.

Methods to Restore Permanently Deleted Files

1. Check Backups

Before diving into technical solutions, verify whether you’ve backed up your files using the following methods:

Windows File History: Check if File History is enabled on your system. You can restore previous versions of files or folders.

Cloud Storage Services: Platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive often retain deleted files for a limited time.

External Backups: If you’ve used an external drive for backups, review its contents to locate the deleted files.

Steps to Use File History on Windows:

Open the folder where the deleted file was stored.

Right-click in the folder and select Properties.

Go to the Previous Versions tab.

Choose a version to restore from the list and click Restore.

If no backup is available, proceed to data recovery methods.

2. Use Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a powerful, user-friendly data recovery software designed to retrieve lost or deleted files from various storage devices. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted important files, formatted a drive, or encountered unexpected data loss due to system crashes, Panda Assistant offers a reliable solution to recover your data efficiently.

Key Features

Comprehensive Recovery Options: Panda Assistant supports recovery from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, and external storage devices, making it versatile for diverse data loss scenarios.

Wide File Format Support: It can recover documents, photos, videos, audio files, and more, ensuring that no file type is left behind.

Deep Scanning Technology: The software uses advanced scanning algorithms to locate even deeply buried files, increasing recovery success rates.

User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive design allows users of all experience levels to perform data recovery without technical expertise.

Preview Functionality: Preview recoverable files before restoring them to ensure you retrieve exactly what you need.

How It Works

Download and install Panda Assistant on a different drive to avoid overwriting data.

Launch the software and select the storage device or location where the data was lost.

Initiate a quick or deep scan, depending on the extent of the data loss.

Preview the results and choose the files to recover.

3. Restore from Shadow Copies

Windows creates shadow copies of files as part of its system restore points. These can sometimes be used to recover deleted files.

Steps to Recover Using Shadow Copies:

Right-click the folder where the file was stored and select Restore Previous Versions.

Browse the available versions in the list.

Select a version containing the file and click Restore.

If no shadow copies are available, other methods like file recovery tools are necessary.

4. Command Prompt Recovery

Advanced users can use the Command Prompt to recover deleted files using commands like attrib or chkdsk. This method works well for hidden or recently deleted files.

Steps to Recover Using Attrib Command:

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.

Type the following command and press Enter:

cmd

attrib -h -r -s /s /d drive_letter:\*.*

Replace drive_letter with the appropriate drive, such as C: or D:.

Check the drive for recovered files.

Note:

This method primarily helps recover hidden files. For permanently deleted files, data recovery software may be more effective.

5. Check Temporary Files

Sometimes, remnants of deleted files are stored in temporary folders. You can manually search these folders:

Open the Run dialog (Win + R).

Type %temp% and press Enter.

Browse the folder for files that match the deleted ones.

6. Recover Files from a Formatted Drive

If you’ve accidentally formatted a drive, recovery is still possible using specialized tools:

TestDisk: A free, open-source tool for recovering lost partitions and files from formatted drives.

R-Studio: Offers advanced recovery options for formatted or corrupted drives.

Using TestDisk:

Download and install TestDisk.

Launch the program and select the drive to scan.

Follow the on-screen instructions to recover partitions or files.

7. Professional Data Recovery Services

If the above methods fail or the data is highly sensitive, professional recovery services may be your best option. These services use advanced techniques to recover files from damaged or overwritten drives.

When to Use Professional Services:

The storage device is physically damaged.

You’ve accidentally overwritten the data.

The files are of critical importance.

Examples of reliable services include Ontrack, DriveSavers, and Secure Data Recovery.

Preventing Future Data Loss

To minimize the risk of permanent data loss in the future, follow these best practices:

1. Regular Backups

Use external drives or cloud services to back up important data.

Automate backups to ensure consistent protection.

2. Enable File History or Time Machine

On Windows, enable File History to keep track of file versions.

On macOS, use Time Machine for regular backups.

3. Avoid Writing to the Drive

If you’ve deleted files, stop using the drive immediately to prevent overwriting data.

Recovering permanently deleted files is often possible if you act quickly and use the right tools. From checking backups to leveraging data recovery software or professional services, there are multiple ways to restore lost files. The key is to remain calm, avoid using the affected drive, and follow the appropriate steps for your situation.