How to restore deleted files in windows 7​？

Restoring deleted files in Windows 7 can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re not familiar with the tools and methods available. Whether the files were accidentally deleted, or you had a system issue that led to their loss, there are multiple ways to retrieve them. 

Losing important files is a frustrating experience. Fortunately, Windows 7 provides several methods to recover lost files. Whether you’re trying to recover a single document, a folder of images, or a collection of important work files, Windows 7 offers tools that may help you get them back. Files might be deleted through simple human error, software crashes, virus attacks, or system issues, but there are various solutions for restoring them.

1. Restoring Files from the Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is Windows’ first line of defense against accidental deletion. When you delete a file or folder, it doesn’t vanish from your computer immediately; instead, it’s moved to the Recycle Bin where it can be recovered.

Steps to Recover Files from the Recycle Bin:

Open the Recycle Bin:

Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Alternatively, you can right-click the Recycle Bin icon and choose Open.

Locate the Deleted File:

Browse through the list of deleted files. You can also use the search bar to search for a specific file by name.

Restore the File:

Right-click the file or folder you wish to restore and click Restore.

The file will be restored to its original location on your computer.

Empty the Recycle Bin (Optional):

After you restore the necessary files, you can empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking it and selecting Empty Recycle Bin.

Keep in mind that once files are removed from the Recycle Bin, they might be harder to recover.

Important Note:

The Recycle Bin only stores files that have been deleted from your computer via regular deletion methods (e.g., via right-click > delete). If you used the Shift + Delete command, bypassing the Recycle Bin, the files won’t be recoverable from there.

2. Restoring Previous Versions of Files or Folders

Windows 7 has a feature called Previous Versions which uses System Restore Points and Shadow Copies to create backups of files. If a file is deleted or corrupted, you may be able to restore an earlier version of that file or folder.

Steps to Recover Files Using Previous Versions:

Locate the Folder Containing the Deleted File:

Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder where the deleted file or folder was originally located.

Right-click the Folder:

Right-click on the folder where the file was, and select Restore previous versions from the context menu.

Select the Version:

In the Previous Versions tab, you’ll see a list of available versions of the folder, including ones created by system restore points or backup software.

Select the version you want to restore.

Restore the File:

You can choose to Open the previous version of the folder to check its contents before restoring.

If you find the file you’re looking for, click Restore to recover the entire folder or specific files.

Alternative: Copy and Paste:

If you don’t want to overwrite your current folder, you can also Copy the previous version of the folder and paste it into a different location for safe keeping.

Important Note:

The Previous Versions feature relies on Windows creating restore points and shadow copies. If your system restore points are turned off or deleted, this method might not be available.

3. Using System Restore to Roll Back to a Previous State

If you can’t find the deleted files using the Recycle Bin or Previous Versions, you might consider using System Restore. System Restore allows you to revert your system to a previous state, which can help recover lost files if they were there when the restore point was created.

Steps to Restore Using System Restore:

Open System Restore:

Click the Start button, and type System Restore in the search box.

Select Create a restore point from the search results.

Open System Restore Window:

In the System Properties window, click the System Restore button under the System Protection tab.

Choose a Restore Point:

The System Restore wizard will show a list of restore points. These are snapshots of your system from previous dates.

Choose a restore point from a time before you deleted the files.

Start the Restoration Process:

Click Next, then Finish. Your computer will restart and begin restoring to the selected state. This process may take several minutes.

Check for Deleted Files:

Once your system has been restored, check your files and folders to see if your deleted files have been recovered.

Important Note:

System Restore is a system-level recovery option and will affect your programs and settings. Any changes made to your system after the selected restore point will be undone. However, personal files and documents are generally not affected by a system restore.

4. Using File Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a powerful data recovery tool designed to help users restore deleted files in Windows 7 with ease. Whether files were accidentally deleted, lost due to system crashes, or removed by malware, Panda Assistant provides an efficient way to recover them.

The recovery process is simple. Users can start by launching Panda Assistant and selecting the drive where the deleted files were stored. The software scans the drive thoroughly, identifying lost files, including documents, photos, videos, and more. Once the scan is complete, users can preview the recoverable files and restore them to a secure location.

5. Backup Solutions for Future Prevention

The best way to avoid data loss in the future is to regularly back up your files. Here are a few backup options to consider:

Built-In Windows 7 Backup:

Windows Backup and Restore:

Windows 7 has a built-in tool called Backup and Restore, which allows you to back up your files to an external hard drive or network location.

To set it up, go to Control Panel > Backup and Restore, and follow the prompts to create a backup schedule.

Third-Party Backup Software:

Acronis True Image or Macrium Reflect: These programs allow you to create disk images and regular backups of your entire system or specific files, ensuring you can restore data even in the event of a hard drive failure.

Cloud Storage:

Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive can help you back up important files to the cloud, allowing for easy recovery in case of accidental deletion.

Restoring deleted files in Windows 7 can be a straightforward process if you use the right tools. Start by checking the Recycle Bin, then move on to Previous Versions if you don’t find your files there. For more complex cases, using System Restore or third-party data recovery software can help recover lost files. By regularly backing up your files, you can minimize the impact of data loss and ensure you can quickly restore your files in the future.