How to recover recently deleted files？

When files are deleted from your computer, they aren’t necessarily gone forever. Most operating systems and storage devices don’t immediately erase the actual data when you delete a file; instead, they mark the space the file occupies as available for new data to overwrite it. This means that if you act quickly enough, there’s a good chance you can recover the deleted files. However, the sooner you attempt recovery, the higher the likelihood of success, as new data can overwrite the deleted files and make them harder or even impossible to recover.

Part 1: Understanding File Deletion

Before diving into recovery methods, it’s important to understand how files are deleted and the concepts behind data storage:

File Deletion Process: When you delete a file from your computer or device, it moves to the recycle bin or trash. If you empty the recycle bin or trash, the file is no longer easily accessible. However, the data still exists on the storage device until new data overwrites it.

File System: Most modern computers use a file system like NTFS (for Windows), HFS+ or APFS (for macOS), or EXT4 (for Linux). These file systems determine how data is stored, organized, and deleted. They also play a critical role in the recoverability of deleted files.

Overwriting: When new data is written to the storage device, it may overwrite the space previously occupied by the deleted file. This is why it’s critical to stop using the device as soon as you realize you’ve accidentally deleted a file. The more you use the device, the greater the chance that your deleted file will be overwritten.

Part 2: Recovering Deleted Files on Windows

Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin

The first place to look for recently deleted files is the Recycle Bin. When you delete a file in Windows, it is initially moved to the Recycle Bin rather than being permanently erased. Here’s how to restore a file from the Recycle Bin:

Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking the icon on your desktop or opening it from File Explorer.

Browse through the files to find the one you wish to recover.

Right-click the file and select Restore. The file will be restored to its original location on your computer.

Method 2: Use File History (for Windows 8 and later)

If you’ve enabled File History in Windows, you can recover deleted files even if they’re no longer in the Recycle Bin. File History regularly backs up your files and allows you to restore previous versions of them.

Open the folder that contained the deleted file.

Right-click the folder and select Restore previous versions.

In the window that opens, select the version of the folder that contains the file you want to recover.

Click Restore to restore the file.

Method 3: Restore from Backup

If you’ve been using Windows’ Backup and Restore feature (or third-party backup software), you can restore files from your backup. Here’s how:

Open the Control Panel and go to Backup and Restore.

Click on Restore my files.

Follow the on-screen instructions to select and restore the deleted file from your backup.

Method 4: Use Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a versatile data recovery software that serves as a reliable tool for individuals and businesses looking to recover lost or deleted files from a variety of storage devices. Whether you’re dealing with accidental deletions, corrupted files, or system crashes, Panda Assistant is designed to help recover your precious data with ease and efficiency. It offers an intuitive user interface that is friendly to both beginners and advanced users, making it an ideal choice for anyone in need of quick and effective data retrieval.

Key Features of Panda Assistant

1. Comprehensive File Recovery

Panda Assistant supports a wide range of file formats, including documents, photos, videos, audio files, and much more. Whether the file was deleted from your computer’s hard drive, an external hard drive, USB flash drives, or memory cards, Panda Assistant is capable of scanning these devices for traces of lost data and recovering them if possible.

2. Advanced Scanning Algorithms

The software uses advanced scanning algorithms that help locate even the most deeply buried files. It performs both quick and deep scans, depending on the level of recovery needed. For minor deletions or file loss, a quick scan may suffice, while a deep scan is more suitable for files that have been lost due to partition errors, system crashes, or format-related issues.

3. User-Friendly Interface

One of Panda Assistant’s standout features is its simple and intuitive interface. It guides users through the recovery process with clear, step-by-step instructions. Users can easily navigate the software, select the device or drive from which to recover data, and initiate the scan without needing any technical expertise. The design is minimalistic, reducing clutter and providing only the necessary options for efficient recovery.

4. File Preview Functionality

Before committing to a full recovery, Panda Assistant allows users to preview files. This feature is particularly helpful when recovering large quantities of data, as it enables users to confirm that the correct files are being restored, saving time and effort.

5. Support for Various Storage Devices

Whether you need to recover data from an internal hard drive, an external hard drive, a USB stick, or an SD card, Panda Assistant is compatible with a wide range of storage devices. This makes it a versatile tool for anyone who regularly works with various forms of data storage.

6. Secure and Reliable Recovery

The software is designed to ensure that your data recovery is as secure as possible. Panda Assistant provides options to recover files without overwriting existing data, giving users peace of mind when performing critical file retrieval.

7. Customer Support and Updates

Panda Assistant offers robust customer support, including access to online resources such as FAQs, user guides, and direct assistance from the support team. Additionally, the software receives regular updates that improve functionality, enhance security, and provide new features to meet evolving needs.

Part 3: Recovering Deleted Files on macOS

Method 1: Check the Trash

On macOS, deleted files are sent to the Trash. To recover a file:

Open the Trash by clicking the Trash icon in the Dock.

Browse through the files and find the one you want to recover.

Right-click the file and select Put Back to restore it to its original location.

Method 2: Use Time Machine

If you’ve set up Time Machine backups, you can restore deleted files from an earlier backup. Here’s how:

Open the folder that originally contained the deleted file.

Launch Time Machine by clicking the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and selecting Enter Time Machine.

Use the arrows to navigate to a time before the file was deleted.

Select the file you want to restore and click Restore.

Part 3: Recovering Deleted Files from Mobile Devices

Android Devices

On Android, files such as photos, videos, and documents can often be recovered using Google’s built-in tools.

Google Photos: If you’ve been using Google Photos to back up your images, you can recover deleted photos from the Trash. Open the Google Photos app, tap on Library, then Trash, and select the files to restore.

Google Drive: If the file was backed up to Google Drive, you can find it in your Drive’s Trash folder.

If these options don’t work, you may need to use third-party apps like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver.

iOS Devices

For iPhones or iPads, Apple offers similar recovery options.

Recently Deleted Folder: If you’ve deleted photos or videos, check the Recently Deleted album in the Photos app. Files in this folder are retained for 30 days before being permanently deleted.

iCloud Backup: If you back up your device to iCloud, you can restore deleted files from your backup. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and choose a backup to restore from.

iTunes Backup: If you’ve backed up your device to iTunes, you can restore deleted data by connecting your device to your computer and using iTunes to restore the backup.

For advanced recovery, you can use software like Dr. Fone or iMobie PhoneRescue.

Part 4: Preventing Future Data Loss

While recovering deleted files is possible, it’s always better to take preventative measures. Here are some tips to avoid data loss:

Regular Backups: Use built-in tools like File History (Windows), Time Machine (macOS), or third-party cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

Enable Version History: For important files, use applications that support version history (e.g., Google Docs, Dropbox), so you can revert to an earlier version if needed.

Use a Recycle Bin/Trash: Don’t empty your Recycle Bin or Trash immediately after deleting files. Give yourself some time to ensure the deletion was intentional.

Stop Using the Drive: If you accidentally delete a file, stop using the drive immediately to prevent overwriting the data.