How to restore deleted files on your computer​？

Restoring deleted files on your computer can be crucial when you accidentally lose important documents, images, or other data. Whether it’s a minor mistake or a larger issue, there are multiple methods you can use to recover deleted files, depending on your situation and the operating system you’re using.

When you delete a file on your computer, it doesn’t always vanish immediately. Instead, the file is marked as deleted in the system, and the space it occupied is labeled as free to be overwritten. This is why deleted files may still be recoverable until the data is overwritten by new files. The sooner you attempt recovery, the better the chances of success.

Before diving into specific methods, it’s essential to understand the types of file deletion:

Normal Deletion: This occurs when you delete a file, sending it to the Recycle Bin (on Windows) or Trash (on macOS). The file is easily recoverable from there.

Permanent Deletion: If you bypass the Recycle Bin or Trash by using keyboard shortcuts like Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Delete on macOS, the file is deleted permanently but may still be recoverable with specialized tools.

File System Errors: Sometimes files disappear due to file system errors or corruption, even if you haven’t intentionally deleted them.

Now that you understand how files are deleted and why they can often be recovered, let’s go over the different methods you can use to restore deleted files.

1. Restoring Files from the Recycle Bin or Trash

The simplest way to restore deleted files is to check the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS), as files sent there can usually be easily restored. Here’s how:

Windows:

Open the Recycle Bin: Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Search for the Deleted File: Look through the list of deleted files to find the one you want to recover.

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

macOS:

Open the Trash: Click on the Trash icon in the Dock to open it.

Locate the File: Browse through the files to find the one you wish to restore.

Restore the File: Right-click on the file and select “Put Back” to restore it to its original location.

2. Using Windows File History (Windows Only)

Windows has a built-in feature called File History that automatically backs up your files and allows you to restore previous versions. If this feature was enabled before the file was deleted, you can recover an earlier version of the file.

Here’s how to use File History:

Open the Folder Containing the File: Navigate to the folder where the deleted file was located.

Access File History: Right-click in the folder (not on any specific file) and select “Restore previous versions.”

Choose a Version: A list of available previous versions of the folder will appear. Select the version you want to restore and click “Restore.”

3. Using macOS Time Machine (macOS Only)

Mac users have a similar feature called Time Machine, which automatically backs up files to an external drive or networked storage. If you’ve been using Time Machine, you can restore deleted files from previous backups.

To use Time Machine:

Open the Folder: Go to the folder where the deleted file was located.

Enter Time Machine: Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select “Enter Time Machine.”

Browse Previous Backups: Use the timeline on the right to go back to a time when the file was still present.

Restore the File: Select the file and click the “Restore” button to recover it.

4. Using Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a comprehensive data recovery software designed to help users recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files from various storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards. Whether it’s a case of accidental file deletion, system crashes, or file corruption, Panda Assistant offers an easy-to-use solution for retrieving data without requiring advanced technical skills.

The software is equipped with a variety of powerful recovery tools, including a deep scan feature that can detect and restore files that have been permanently deleted or lost due to system errors. It supports a wide range of file formats, ensuring that documents, photos, videos, and even complex files like databases or archives can be recovered. With its intuitive interface, Panda Assistant makes the entire process simple—allowing users to recover files with just a few clicks.

5. Restoring Files from Backup

If you regularly back up your files (using Windows Backup, macOS Time Machine, or third-party backup solutions), you may be able to restore deleted files from your most recent backup.

For Windows Users:

Open Backup Settings: Go to “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Backup.”

Choose “Restore Files from a Backup”: Follow the on-screen instructions to browse through your backup history and restore the file.

Select the Files to Restore: Choose the files you need, and click “Restore.”

For macOS Users:

Open Time Machine: Click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and choose “Enter Time Machine.”

Browse Backups: Navigate through previous backups and select the file to restore.

Restore the File: Click “Restore” to bring the file back to its original location.

6. Recovering Files from an External Hard Drive or USB Drive

If your deleted files were on an external drive, you can often recover them using similar methods. Many data recovery programs support external drives, and if you regularly back up external drives, you can recover files from there as well.

Check for Backups: If you have a backup for the external drive, restore the deleted files from there.

Use Data Recovery Software: If no backup is available, use the same data recovery tools (like Recuva or Disk Drill) to scan and recover the deleted files from the external drive.

7. Restoring Files from Cloud Storage

If you use cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, there’s a chance you can recover deleted files directly from the cloud platform.

Google Drive:

Open Google Drive: Go to drive.google.com and log in to your account.

Check the Trash: On the left panel, click on “Trash” to see if your deleted file is there.

Restore the File: Right-click on the file and select “Restore.”

Dropbox:

Log in to Dropbox: Go to dropbox.com and sign in.

Access the Deleted Files: Navigate to the “Deleted files” section.

Restore the File: Select the file you want to recover and click “Restore.”

OneDrive:

Log in to OneDrive: Visit onedrive.com and sign in.

Check the Recycle Bin: On the left side, click on “Recycle bin.”

Restore the File: Select the deleted file and click “Restore.”

8. Advanced Recovery: Restoring Files from a Corrupted or Damaged Drive

If the drive from which the file was deleted is physically damaged or corrupted, you may need to consult a professional data recovery service. These services are specialized in dealing with damaged storage devices and can help recover data from failing hard drives, SSDs, and even flash drives.

File deletion doesn’t always mean irreversible loss of data. By utilizing the built-in recovery tools in Windows and macOS, using data recovery software, or restoring files from backups, you can often retrieve important files that were accidentally deleted. The key is to act quickly once the file is overwritten, recovery becomes much more difficult.