How to Recover Clip Studio Paint Files (Unsaved & Deleted)

This article describes 4 effective methods to recover Clip Studio Paint files. You could consider using its backup feature, Recycle Bin, or data recovery software.

By @Ivy Last Updated January 7, 2025

Clip Studio Paint, one of the most popular tools developed by Celsys, the Japanese graphics software company, is preferred by a significant number of users all over the world.

In general, a piece of work with high completeness usually takes hours and even days, weeks, or months of dedicated effort. As a result, users may feel pain when the canvas is lost, damaged, or deleted. This means that their previous efforts will have been wasted.

If you don't want to lose any important files from Clip Studio Paint, either unsaved or deleted, continue to read this article and learn 4 effective methods in the following.

Can you recover work from Clip Studio Paint?

Is there any way to recover unsaved files? My computer decided it was a good idea to crash, and I haven’t saved the canvas I was working on! Is there any way to recover it??.” – Recovering Unsaved Files

System crashes, software crashes, etc., might force Clip Studio Paint to shut down and leave no time for users to save their work. Sometimes, users might be careless and forget to save. Thus, many users are wondering how to recover files after a computer crash.

What’s more, a bunch of users also reported that they need to recover deleted CSP files and wonder if there are backups in CSP.

  • Yes, CSP has an automatic backup feature that can help you restore data in the event of unexpected crashes or shutdowns.
  • Also, its AutoSave feature can create backup copies as well.
  • In addition, you still can check the Recycle Bin or attempt using data recovery software, especially useful for permanently deleted files.

How to recover deleted Clip Studio Paint files 

Sometimes, users accidentally delete their files. There won’t be exceptions when using Clip Studio Paint. If you are one of them, refer to this guide and get your removed masterpieces back.

Method 1. Check the Recycle Bin

Users can first try restoring deleted files from the Recycle Bin. As long as you don’t manually empty it or remove the CSP files from the bin again, they will stay there within 30 days.

>> Go to Recycle Bin on your desktop > locate the deleted CSP files or folders > right-click them > click Restore.

If you find deleted files are not in the Recycle Bin, your CSP files will likely be permanently deleted. In this case, you need to use professional data recovery software to retrieve files.

Method 2. Recover deleted Clip Studio Paint files using software

⚠️Many users are aware of the importance of backups. But sometimes, data loss accidents come without any warning, leaving no time for users to prepare for the disasters. Once users accidentally empty the Recycle Bin or remove deleted files again, the files will be inaccessible.

MyRecover will be a good option in this scenario. It is developed and supported by a sophisticated team with advanced scanning technologies. Using it, you can quickly scan your storage devices, either internal or external drives for deleted and missing Clip Studio Paint files. 

MyRecover
Powerful File Recovery Software
  • Combine Quick Scan and Deep Scan technologies to find all recoverable data on HDD/SSD/USB/SD card, etc.
  • Support 1000+ recoverable data types, including documents, photos, videos, videos, compressed files, etc.
  • Support file preview and data recovery while scanning.
  • Recover specific files or folders, not all of them.
  • Compatible with NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ReFS, etc., and Windows 11/10/8/7/Server.
  • Support different data loss scenarios, i.e. data deletion, disk formatting, recycle bin emptying, system crash, virus attack, etc.

Check the detailed instructions to restore deleted CSP files without difficulties.

Step 1. Install and run MyRecover> Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted CSP files before, and click Scan.

Step 2. If you can still recall the name of the CSP files, input the filename in the search box to target your files quickly. Also, you could sort the scanned files by Data type, Date modified, Type, Size, etc.

Step 3. Go to Deleted files or Recycle Bin > find the folder used to store the CSP files > choose your wanted files > click Recover x files. It will be better to save the recovered files to a new location. 

🌟The Trial version can only be demonstrated. To recover Clip Studio Paint files, you need to upgrade MyRecover to an advanced edition.

Using this tool, you can also easily recover a deleted Photoshop file after permanent deletion.

How to recover unsaved Clip Studio Paint files

It is not a rare case to meet an unexpected crash and shutdown. The software crashes come out of the blue and users can’t even click “Save”. Don't worry too much and here are 2 feasible ways to recover unsaved Clip Studio Paint files.

Method 1. Check the backup folder

As mentioned above, CSP has an automatic backup feature to protect their essential work. Once system or software crashes occur, they can turn to their backups. Here are two backup schemes:

  • InitialBackup: when you create a file, an initial backup file will be generated automatically.
  • DocumentBackup: when the file gets overwritten, the file will be backed up as well to record the changes you made.

Step 1. Start Clip Studio Paint > click the Settings icon on the toolbar > Maintenance Menu.

Step 2. Choose the Open folder with Clip Studio Paint backup data option.

Step 3. Then, it guides you to the Clip Studio Paint backup folder.

Check the InitialBackup folder if you have never saved the work and the DocumentBackup folder if you have clicked save in the process.

Also, you could directly visit the backup folder in File Explorer.

C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\CELSYSUserData\CELSYS\CLIPStudioPaintData

Method 2. Recover unsaved CSP files via Canvas recovery

There is also an auto-recovery feature in Clip Studio Paint. But it requires users to enable it in advance. It will save your information every X minutes in the Clip Studio Paint AutoSave location. So it's easy to recover unsaved CSP files just like recover unsaved Word documents using its AutoSave feature

>> After crashes, start Clip Studio Paint again > The unsaved canvas will automatically be restored.

If you don't enable the auto-recovery feature, it's suggested to enable it to avoid data loss due to Clip Studio Paint crashes.

>> Click File > Preferences > Auto-Recovery > tick the Enable canvas recovery option. Specify the autosave interval according to your needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Users who have experienced a sudden system or software crash can read this article and learn how to recover Clip Studio Paint files, either using its backup or auto-recovery feature, Recycle Bin, or data recovery software. Backups are always trustable.

Using a professional data backup tool for Windows, you can sit back and relax. If there are no backups available, it will be difficult to recover Clip Studio Paint files without software.

FAQs

How do I restore Clip Studio Paint files?
 
If you just deleted Clip Studio Pain files, go to Recycle Bin on your desktop > locate the deleted CSP files or folders > right-click them > click Restore
How do I recover an unsaved paint file?
 
The recovery methods work only if you have once saved the files in MS Paint.
Does CSP have backups?
 
The Windows / macOS version of CLIP STUDIO PAINT automatically creates a backup file at the time of saving.