How to recover deleted files from desktop？

Losing important files from your desktop can be a distressing experience. Whether it was due to accidental deletion, a software glitch, a virus attack, or a hardware failure, there are several methods you can try to recover those precious data.

1. Check the Recycle Bin/Trash

Windows: In Windows operating systems, when you delete a file from the desktop, it usually goes to the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is a temporary storage area for deleted files and folders. To access it, simply double – click on the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. Once you open it, you can preview the files and folders inside. To restore a file, right – click on it and select “Restore”. The file will then be returned to its original location on the desktop or the folder from where it was deleted.

Mac: On a Mac, deleted files go to the Trash. You can find the Trash icon in the Dock. Click on it to open the Trash and view the deleted items. To recover a file, select it and then choose “Put Back” from the File menu. The file will be restored to its original location.

2. Use File History (Windows)

What is File History? File History is a backup feature in Windows that continuously backs up versions of your files in the background. It can be a useful tool for recovering deleted files. To use File History to recover a deleted file from the desktop:

Access File History: Open the Control Panel and search for “File History”. Click on the “File History” option.

Restore Files: In the File History window, you can use the left and right arrows to navigate through different versions of your files. Locate the version of the file that you want to restore (before it was deleted) and click the “Restore” button. You can choose to restore the file to its original location or to a different location.

3. Time Machine (Mac)

Overview of Time Machine: Time Machine is Mac’s built – in backup solution. If you have been using Time Machine to back up your Mac, you can easily recover deleted files from the desktop.

Recovery Process: Connect the external drive where your Time Machine backups are stored. Then, click on the Apple menu and select “Time Machine”. The Time Machine interface will open, showing you different backup snapshots in time. Navigate through the backups to find the point in time when the file was still on your desktop. Select the file and click the “Restore” button to recover it.

4. Third – Party Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is an advanced yet user-friendly data recovery software that empowers individuals and businesses to recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files from a variety of storage devices. Whether you’re dealing with an accidentally deleted document, a corrupted video file, or a formatted hard drive, Panda Assistant is designed to offer a comprehensive solution to retrieve your important data. What sets it apart from other recovery tools is its combination of ease of use, powerful scanning capabilities, and compatibility with a wide range of storage devices and file types.

One of the standout features of Panda Assistant is its ability to handle diverse storage media, including internal and external hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives, memory cards, and even cloud storage services. This makes it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use, ensuring that no matter what device you store your files on, recovery is possible. The software supports a wide variety of file types, such as documents, photos, videos, audio files, emails, and even system files, making it suitable for a range of recovery scenarios.

5. Check Cloud Storage and Sync Services

Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.: If you had your desktop files synced with a cloud storage service like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive, there’s a good chance the deleted file may still be available in the cloud. Log in to the respective cloud storage account and check the recycle bin or version history of the synced folder. For example, in Dropbox, you can access the deleted files in the “Deleted Files” section of the website or app. You can restore the file from there, and it will be synced back to your desktop if the sync settings are enabled.

6. Check System Restore Points (Windows)

What are System Restore Points? System Restore Points are snapshots of your system’s settings and files at a particular time. In Windows, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous state, which may include restoring deleted files from the desktop.

How to Use System Restore to Recover Files: Open the Control Panel and search for “System Restore”. Follow the wizard to select a restore point that was created before the file was deleted. Keep in mind that using System Restore will also change other system settings and installed programs to the state they were in at the selected restore point. After the restore process is complete, check if the deleted file has been recovered.

7. Contact Professional Data Recovery Services

When to Consider Professional Help? If the above methods do not work and the deleted file is of critical importance, you may need to consider professional data recovery services. These services are usually expensive but have a higher chance of recovering data in complex situations such as hard drive failures, severe data corruption, etc.

What to Expect from Professional Services? Professional data recovery technicians have specialized tools and cleanroom facilities (for physical hard drive damage). They will first assess the situation of your storage device to determine the best recovery method. The process may take several days to weeks depending on the complexity of the problem and the amount of data to be recovered.

8. Preventing Future File Deletions

Regular Backups: The best way to avoid the stress of losing files is to have a regular backup strategy. You can use external hard drives, cloud storage, or a combination of both. For example, set up a schedule to back up your desktop files daily or weekly using software like Windows Backup or Mac’s Time Machine.

File Versioning: Some backup software and cloud services offer file versioning. This means that they keep multiple versions of a file over time. So, even if you accidentally delete a file, you can access its previous versions and restore it.

Be Careful with Deletions: Always double – check before deleting files from your desktop. Make sure you really don’t need the file anymore. You can also use the “Move to Trash” or “Send to Recycle Bin” option instead of the “Delete Permanently” option if available to give yourself an extra chance to recover the file.