How to recover accidentally deleted files？

I. Accidentally deleting files

Accidentally deleting files can be a nightmare, whether it’s a crucial work document, precious photos, or important personal data. Fortunately, in many cases, it’s possible to recover these lost files. This comprehensive guide will explore various methods and techniques to help you retrieve your accidentally deleted files, depending on the type of storage device, the operating system you’re using, and the circumstances of the deletion.

II. File Deletion

How File Deletion Works on Storage Devices

When you delete a file on a computer or other storage device, the operating system doesn’t immediately erase the data from the physical storage medium. Instead, it marks the space occupied by the file as available for reuse. For example, on a hard disk drive (HDD), the file system maintains a table (such as the File Allocation Table in FAT systems or the Master File Table in NTFS systems) that keeps track of which sectors of the disk are occupied by which files. When a file is deleted, the entry for that file in the table is modified to indicate that the space it occupied is now free.

On solid – state drives (SSDs), the process is a bit more complex due to the way SSDs manage data. However, similar to HDDs, the file system marks the space as available, and the actual data may remain on the drive until it’s overwritten.

Factors Affecting File Recovery

Time Since Deletion: The sooner you attempt to recover a file after deletion, the higher the chances of success. As new data is written to the storage device, there’s a greater risk of the deleted file’s data being overwritten. For example, if you delete a file and then immediately start downloading large files or installing software, the chances of recovering the original file decrease rapidly.

Type of Storage Device: Different storage devices have different characteristics that can affect file recovery. HDDs generally have a better chance of file recovery compared to SSDs in some cases. This is because HDDs store data magnetically, and the data tends to remain on the platters even after deletion until overwritten. SSDs, on the other hand, use flash memory and have built – in mechanisms like wear – leveling and garbage collection that can make file recovery more challenging.

File System: The file system used on the storage device also plays a crucial role. Some file systems, like NTFS (used in Windows) and ext4 (used in many Linux distributions), have more advanced features and better support for file recovery compared to older or less – sophisticated file systems.

III. Recovering Files from the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac and Linux)

Windows Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin in Windows is the first place to look when you’ve accidentally deleted a file. When a file is deleted, it’s usually moved to the Recycle Bin instead of being permanently erased. To recover a file from the Recycle Bin:

Open the Recycle Bin by double – clicking its icon on the desktop.

Locate the file you want to recover. You can use the search bar in the Recycle Bin window if you have a large number of files.

Right – click the file and select “Restore” from the context menu. The file will be moved back to its original location.

Mac Trash

On a Mac, deleted files are moved to the Trash. To recover a file from the Trash:

Click on the Trash icon in the Dock.

Find the file you want to recover. You can use the search box in the Trash window to locate the file more quickly.

Drag the file out of the Trash and drop it onto the desktop or the folder where you want it to be restored.

Linux Trash (Depending on the Desktop Environment)

In Linux, different desktop environments have different implementations of the trash. For example, in the GNOME desktop environment:

Open the Files application (formerly known as Nautilus).

Navigate to the “Trash” folder in the sidebar.

Select the file you want to recover and right – click it. Then select “Restore” from the menu. The file will be moved back to its original location.

IV. Using File Recovery Software

General Considerations When Choosing File Recovery Software

Compatibility: Ensure that the software is compatible with your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and the type of storage device you’re using (HDD, SSD, USB drive, etc.). For example, some software may work well with NTFS – formatted drives in Windows but may not support HFS+ – formatted drives on a Mac.

Features: Look for software that offers features such as deep – scan capabilities, support for different file types (documents, photos, videos, etc.), and the ability to preview recovered files. A deep – scan can be useful when a quick scan doesn’t find the deleted file, as it searches more thoroughly through the storage device.

Reputation and Reviews: Check user reviews and the reputation of the software. Look for software that has a high rating and positive feedback from users. Avoid software that has been reported to cause further damage to the storage device or to have security issues.

Popular File Recovery Software for Windows

Recuva: Recuva is a well – known and free file recovery software for Windows. It’s easy to use and has a simple interface. It can recover files from various storage devices such as hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. Recuva offers both quick and deep – scan options. When you launch Recuva, you can select the type of file you want to recover (e.g., pictures, documents, music) and the location of the storage device. The software then scans the device and presents a list of recoverable files. You can preview the files before recovering them to ensure you’re getting the correct ones.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: This software is available in both free and paid versions. The free version allows you to recover up to 2GB of data. It has a user – friendly interface and can recover a wide range of file types. It supports advanced features such as partition recovery and RAW file system recovery. The software first scans the storage device to identify lost and deleted files and then provides an option to preview and recover them.

Popular File Recovery Software for Mac

Disk Drill: Disk Drill is a popular Mac file recovery software. It offers a free version with limited features and a paid version with more advanced capabilities. It can recover files from internal and external hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. Disk Drill has a unique “Recovery Vault” feature that keeps track of deleted files even before you try to recover them. It also provides a preview option for recovered files. The software scans the storage device and presents a list of recoverable files, which you can then select and restore.

Data Rescue: Data Rescue is another well – regarded Mac file recovery tool. It’s designed to recover files from a variety of storage devices, including Mac – formatted drives and external drives. The software has a simple interface and offers features such as deep – scan and preview of recovered files. It’s often used by professionals and individuals alike to retrieve accidentally deleted Mac files.

Popular File Recovery Software for Linux

TestDisk: TestDisk is a powerful and free file recovery software for Linux. It’s mainly used for recovering lost partitions and making non – bootable disks bootable again, but it can also be used to recover individual files. TestDisk can work with various file systems such as FAT, NTFS, and ext4. It’s a command – line – based tool, but there are also graphical front – ends available for those who prefer a more user – friendly interface.

PhotoRec: PhotoRec is often used in conjunction with TestDisk. It’s a data recovery software that specializes in recovering photos, videos, and other multimedia files. It can recover files from a wide range of storage devices and file systems. PhotoRec works by scanning the storage device for known file signatures (the unique patterns that identify different file types) and then recovering the files it finds.

V. Recovering Files from Cloud Storage

Understanding Cloud Storage and Deletion

Cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive have become increasingly popular for storing files. When you delete a file in cloud storage, the process can vary depending on the service. In most cases, the file is moved to a “trash” or “recycle bin” – like area within the cloud storage service. For example, in Google Drive, when you delete a file, it’s moved to the “Trash” folder. The file remains in the Trash for a certain period (usually 30 days in Google Drive) before it’s permanently deleted.

Recovering Files from Cloud Storage Trash

Google Drive: To recover a file from the Google Drive Trash, log in to your Google Drive account. Click on the “Trash” option in the left – hand sidebar. Locate the file you want to recover and right – click it. Then select “Restore” from the context menu. The file will be moved back to its original location in your Google Drive.

Dropbox: In Dropbox, deleted files are moved to a “Deleted Files” folder. Log in to your Dropbox account and navigate to the “Deleted Files” folder. Find the file you want to recover and click the “Restore” button next to it. The file will be restored to its previous location in your Dropbox.

OneDrive: For OneDrive, when a file is deleted, it’s moved to the “Recycle Bin”. Log in to your OneDrive account and open the “Recycle Bin”. Locate the file you want to recover and select “Restore” to move it back to its original location.

VI. Recovering Files from External Storage Devices

USB Drives and Memory Cards

The methods for recovering files from USB drives and memory cards are similar to those for internal hard drives. You can first try to check if the device has a recycle bin or trash – like feature (some USB drives with built – in software may have this). If not, you can use file recovery software. Make sure to connect the USB drive or memory card to your computer properly. Then, launch the file recovery software and select the device as the target for scanning. The software will scan the device and list the recoverable files.

External Hard Drives

External hard drives can also be recovered using the same principles. If the drive is recognized by your computer, you can attempt to recover files using the Recycle Bin (if the deletion was recent and the file was moved there) or file recovery software. However, if the external hard drive is not recognized or is making unusual noises (which could indicate a hardware problem), you may need to address the hardware issue first. For example, if the drive has a faulty connection or a damaged controller, you might need to repair or replace the relevant components before attempting file recovery.

VII. Data Backup and Prevention of File Loss

Importance of Data Backup

Data backup is the most effective way to prevent permanent loss of files. Regular backups ensure that even if you accidentally delete a file, you have a copy of it. There are various backup methods, including external hard drive backups, cloud – based backups, and network – attached storage (NAS) backups. For example, you can set up an automatic backup schedule using backup software such as Windows Backup (in Windows) or Time Machine (in Mac).

Backup Strategies

Full Backups: A full backup involves creating a complete copy of all the files on a storage device. This is the most comprehensive backup method but can be time – consuming and require a large amount of storage space. For example, if you have a 1TB hard drive, a full backup will require at least 1TB of storage space (depending on compression).

Incremental Backups: Incremental backups only back up the files that have changed since the last backup. This is a more efficient way of backing up, especially for large storage devices. For example, if you only modify a few files each day, an incremental backup will only copy those modified files, saving time and storage space.

Differential Backups: Differential backups back up all the files that have changed since a specific full backup. This is a compromise between full and incremental backups. It requires less storage space than a full backup but more than an incremental backup for subsequent backups.