How to restore deleted videos from computer​？

Accidentally deleting videos from your computer can be a frustrating experience. Whether they were precious memories, essential work files, or creative projects, the loss can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, there are multiple ways to recover deleted videos, ranging from basic recovery tools built into your operating system to advanced third-party software solutions.

When you delete a file on your computer, it doesn’t disappear instantly. Instead, the system marks the storage space it occupies as available for new data. The video file remains intact until that space is overwritten, making it possible to recover it with the right tools and techniques.

Key factors affecting recoverability:

Time since deletion: The sooner you attempt recovery, the higher your chances of success.

System activity: Avoid saving new files to prevent overwriting the deleted videos.

Backup status: Check if you have a backup of your videos before trying advanced recovery methods.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restoring Deleted Videos

1. Check the Recycle Bin or Trash

When you delete a video on your computer, it is typically moved to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) rather than being permanently erased.

For Windows:

Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.

Search for your deleted video by name or file type.

Right-click on the video and select Restore to return it to its original location.

For Mac:

Open the Trash from the Dock.

Look for the deleted video.

Drag it back to your desired folder or right-click and choose Put Back to restore it to its original location.

2. Use File History or Time Machine

If you’ve enabled backup features on your computer, you might be able to recover the deleted video using File History (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac).

For Windows (File History):

Open the folder where the video was originally stored.

Right-click inside the folder and select Restore previous versions.

Browse the available versions to locate your deleted video.

Select the desired version and click Restore.

For Mac (Time Machine):

Connect your Time Machine backup drive.

Open the folder where the video was saved.

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

Use the timeline to find the file in a previous backup.

Select the video and click Restore.

3. Restore Videos from Cloud Storage

If you use cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud, your deleted videos might still be available in the cloud’s trash or recently deleted section.

For Google Drive:

Go to the Trash section in your Google Drive account.

Locate the deleted video.

Right-click the video and select Restore.

For OneDrive:

Log in to your OneDrive account.

Navigate to the Recycle Bin.

Find the video and click Restore.

For iCloud:

Log in to your iCloud account on the web.

Go to the Recently Deleted folder.

Select the video and click Recover.

4. Use Built-in Recovery Tools

For Windows:

Windows has a built-in command-line utility called Windows File Recovery for recovering deleted files.

Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.

Launch the application and follow the on-screen instructions.

Use recovery commands like:

mathematica

winfr C: D: /n *.mp4

Replace C: with the drive where the video was located and D: with the destination drive for recovered files.

For Mac:

Mac users can use Disk Utility to attempt recovery of recently deleted files:

Open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities.

Select the disk where the file was stored.

Run First Aid to repair the disk and recover potentially lost data.

5. Recover Videos with Third-Party Software

Panda Assistant is a comprehensive, user-friendly software designed to help you recover lost or deleted data from various devices. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted files, experienced a system crash, or encountered hardware failure, Panda Assistant is equipped with advanced recovery tools to retrieve your valuable data efficiently and securely.

With support for a wide range of file types including photos, videos, documents, and more Panda Assistant ensures you don’t lose critical information. The software is compatible with hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and other storage devices, making it a versatile choice for individuals and businesses alike.

One of Panda Assistant’s standout features is its intuitive interface, which simplifies the recovery process for users of all technical levels. In just a few clicks, you can scan your device, preview recoverable files, and restore them to their original state. The software also supports deep scans to locate data from formatted drives or corrupted partitions, ensuring no file is left behind.

6. Restore Videos from External Drives

If the video was stored on an external hard drive, USB drive, or SD card, the recovery process may differ slightly.

Stop using the device immediately to avoid overwriting data.

Connect the device to your computer.

Use recovery software compatible with external drives (e.g., Disk Drill, Recuva).

Follow the scanning and recovery steps outlined above.

7. Contact Professional Data Recovery Services

If all else fails, professional data recovery services can help recover your deleted videos. These experts use specialized equipment and techniques to retrieve data from damaged or inaccessible storage devices.

Popular services include:

DriveSavers

Ontrack

Secure Data Recovery

Tips for working with professionals:

Avoid tampering with the device further to prevent additional damage.

Describe the issue in detail when contacting the service.

Request an upfront estimate for the recovery process.

Preventing Future Video Loss

To avoid losing videos in the future, consider implementing these preventive measures:

Enable automatic backups: Use cloud storage or external drives to regularly back up important files.

Use file recovery tools proactively: Install reliable recovery software in advance.

Organize your storage: Keep your files organized and avoid accidental deletion.

Enable version history: Services like OneDrive and Google Drive allow you to recover previous versions of files.

Avoid risky downloads and malware: Protect your system with antivirus software to prevent data corruption.