How to recover files deleted from recycle bin after empty​？

Accidentally emptying the Recycle Bin can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if important files were deleted unintentionally. Many users believe that once the Recycle Bin is emptied, files are gone for good. However, the truth is that the data remains on the hard drive until it is overwritten by new information, making file recovery still possible. 

File Deletion and Recovery

Before diving into the methods, it’s essential to understand how deletion works in modern operating systems. When a file is deleted from the Recycle Bin:

File Marked for Deletion: The operating system removes the reference to the file, marking the space it occupies as available for new data.

File Still on Disk: The actual data remains on the hard drive until it is overwritten by new files or system updates.

Recovery Window: As long as the space occupied by the deleted files hasn’t been overwritten, there’s a chance to recover the files.

Now that we understand the mechanics of file deletion, let’s explore various methods for recovering files after the Recycle Bin has been emptied.

1. Stop Using the Drive Immediately

Once the Recycle Bin has been emptied, you should stop using the drive or partition where the deleted files were stored. This is to avoid overwriting the data, which would make recovery much more difficult, if not impossible. Here are the steps to follow:

Limit Usage: Avoid saving new files, installing software, or downloading anything to the drive in question. Every new action risks overwriting the deleted data.

Disconnect Drive (Optional): If you want to be extra cautious, disconnect the hard drive or partition where the deleted files were located.

Why This Step is Crucial

The moment you realize you’ve emptied the Recycle Bin by mistake, the best action is to halt further use of the computer. This protects the disk sectors where the deleted data is still present, allowing you a better chance of full recovery.

2. Use Data Recovery Software

There are numerous recovery tools specifically designed to retrieve files after being deleted from the Recycle Bin. These programs scan the hard drive and attempt to restore files marked as “deleted” but not yet overwritten.

Top Data Recovery Software for Recycle Bin Recovery

Recuva

Overview: A free and easy-to-use program that can recover files from emptied Recycle Bins.

Features: Offers deep scanning, which can locate even difficult-to-recover files.

Steps:

Download and install Recuva on a different drive or partition.

Open Recuva and select “All Files” in the wizard.

Choose the location where the files were before they were deleted (likely the C: drive or another partition).

Perform a deep scan to maximize chances of recovery.

Preview and recover your files.

Disk Drill

Overview: Disk Drill offers advanced file recovery options and is compatible with Windows and macOS.

Features: Offers a preview function and advanced scanning algorithms.

Steps:

Install Disk Drill on a secondary drive.

Launch the program and choose the disk where files were deleted.

Initiate a deep scan to recover files emptied from the Recycle Bin.

Use the preview function to check the recoverable files and restore them.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Overview: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is known for its intuitive interface and high recovery success rate.

Features: Supports a wide variety of file types, from documents to multimedia.

Steps:

Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on a different drive.

Select the drive where the Recycle Bin was emptied.

Use the deep scan option for the most thorough recovery.

Restore the files to a new location.

MiniTool Power Data Recovery

Overview: A reliable tool for recovering files lost due to accidental deletion.

Features: Offers specialized recovery options for various data loss situations.

Steps:

Install the software on a different partition or external drive.

Scan the partition where the files were deleted.

Filter the results to find the desired files and restore them.

How Data Recovery Software Works

Data recovery software works by scanning the hard drive for file signatures of deleted files. The software reconstructs the file from the remaining data on the disk, making it possible to retrieve documents, images, videos, and other file types.

3. Utilize Previous Versions (Windows Built-in Feature)

If you have File History, System Restore, or another backup tool enabled, you can recover files using the built-in “Previous Versions” feature in Windows. Here’s how to access it:

Steps to Use Previous Versions:

Navigate to the folder where the deleted file was originally stored.

Right-click on the folder and select “Restore previous versions.”

Windows will display a list of available backups, if any.

Choose the version of the folder before the file was deleted.

Click “Restore” to recover the folder and its contents.

Alternative: Backup and Restore

If you use Windows Backup, you can retrieve files from a backup image created before the deletion.

Steps:

Open Control Panel.

Navigate to System and Security > Backup and Restore.

Select “Restore my files” to find and restore a backup that contains the deleted file.

Importance of Regular Backups

Although recovery software is an excellent option, the safest method to ensure data recovery is regular backups. Always have a backup strategy using an external drive, cloud storage, or built-in backup features.

4. Try Windows Command Prompt (Advanced Method)

If the files were deleted very recently, you could attempt to recover them using the Command Prompt and certain system commands. This method is more advanced and may require some technical knowledge.

Steps to Recover Using CMD:

Press Win + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.

Type the following command and press Enter:

bash

chkdsk X: /f

Replace X: with the drive letter where the Recycle Bin was emptied.

Next, type this command:

markdown

ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:*.*

Again, replace X: with the appropriate drive letter.

Press Enter. This command should attempt to recover files.

Why Use CMD?

The Command Prompt method scans the drive for errors and hidden files, which might help recover files that haven’t been completely erased.

5. Seek Professional Data Recovery Services

If the software methods fail to recover your files, you can turn to professional data recovery services. These companies specialize in advanced recovery techniques and can often recover files from severely damaged or overwritten drives.

When to Seek Professional Help:

Complex Data Loss: If the hard drive has been damaged or files are deeply buried, professional assistance may be necessary.

Overwritten Data: If you’ve already written new data to the drive and recovery software isn’t working, experts can use specialized equipment to attempt recovery.

Top Data Recovery Services:

DriveSavers: Known for recovering data from severely damaged drives.

Ontrack: A global leader in data recovery services for personal and business users.

Secure Data Recovery: Offers a range of services from logical recovery to physical data retrieval.

6. Use Cloud Backups for Quick Retrieval

If you were using cloud services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, check to see if the deleted files were backed up. Many cloud storage services offer a recycle bin feature of their own, allowing you to recover deleted files within a certain time frame (typically 30 days).

Steps to Recover from Cloud Storage:

Log in to your cloud storage account.

Navigate to the “Trash” or “Deleted Files” section.

Select the files you wish to recover and restore them to their original location.