How to Recover Deleted Files from File Explorer?

Learn how to recover deleted files from File Explorer via four methods. And you can also get relevant tips about the command prompt.

Penny

By Penny / Updated on April 3, 2024

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How do I recover permanently deleted files from Windows Explorer?

   
   
   
       

Hello! I pressed Shift + Delete to delete some files on the desktop. Several days later, I want to retrieve some of the above files. But I cannot find them in the Recycle Bin, so how do I recover permanently deleted files from Windows Explorer?

In general, it’s easy to restore the accidentally deleted files or folders without emptying your Recycle Bin or executing “Shift + Delete” performances.

On the contrary, it will be difficult for non-tech users to recover the permanently deleted files in Windows without backups. So how to recover deleted files from File Explorer? Please scroll down.

How to recover deleted files from Windows File Explorer?

In computing, the deleted files are not wiped out unless the new data overwrites them. Thus, you’d better reduce the usage of your PC after data loss. If possible, stop using it and don’t add new data to it.

Are you seeking how to recover deleted files from Windows Explorer? In the following part, there’re four feasible methods for your preference.

Way 1. Recover deleted files in Windows 10 from the Recycle Bin

If you haven’t executed the permanently deleted files performances in Windows, you can recover the deleted documents from the Recycle Bin.

Step 1. Open your Recycle Bin on the desktop. Then find your desired files in it.

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Step 2. Right-click on your selected file and “Restore” it to the original location.

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Likewise, Windows 10 OS enables users to recover deleted files in Windows 10 using the “Undo delete” command. After accidental deletion, you can also press the “Ctrl + Z” keys to retrieve the deleted file immediately to the previously saved path.

undo-delete-file-windows

Way 2. Recover deleted files in Windows 10 from Backup and Restore

Released in Windows 7 operating system, Backup and Restore is an effective measure for files and folder backup and data loss prevention.

If you’ve made good use of some Windows features like Backup and Restore, at the moment, you can restore files from your usable backups. The following steps depict how to recover deleted files from File Explorer via this feature.

Step 1. Enter “Control Panel” in the search bar. After opening it, go to “System and Security” and click the “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” option.

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Step 2. Click the “Restore my files” button.

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Step 3. Select the “Browse for files” option to locate your needed files.

browse-for-files-or-folders

You can store these files in the original path or in a new location.

Way 3. Recover deleted files in Windows 10 from File History

Although Backup and Restore is practical, Win8 users might be accustomed to creating backups using File History because it’s a new Windows feature for Windows 8 OS.

File History can backup copies of files in Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, Desktop folders, and OneDrive offline files stored on your PC. Ensure you have opened Control Panel > System and Security to turn on File History before using this method.

Otherwise, this feature won’t work for you to recover deleted files in Windows 10. Not to mention recovering deleted pictures on the hard drive.

Step 1. Search “Control Panel” and open it. Then click the “System and Security” option.

system-and-security

Step 2. Click “File History” and select the “Restore your files with File History” option.

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Step 3. Click the “Restore personal files” button.

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Step 4. Click “Restore” to save your desired file in the original location. Meanwhile, you can right-click “Restore” > “Restore to” to specify a new destination place.

right-click-restore-restore-to

Way 4. Recover deleted files in Windows 10 via data recovery software 

To increase the possibility of successful data recovery, users without backups could ask for help from the third-party tool. It’s undeniable that trustable data recovery software can save you from making complicated backups and help you recover data as much as possible.

MyRecover is such a powerful and user-friendly program. Are you wondering how to recover deleted files from Windows Explorer? Why not consider giving this software a shot after overviewing its functions? 

  • Recover the deleted/lost files from HDD/SSD/USB and other storage devices.
  • Recover 200+ types of data such as Word, Excel, PPT, Photos, Videos, Audios, Emails, Webpages, and Compressed files.
  • Retain the original path, filename, and format for the deleted files in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Windows Server.
  • Use the combined scanning method of Quick Scan and Deep Scan to find all the deleted and other lost files on your computer.
  • Deal with deletion, disk formatting, system crashes, and other data loss scenarios.
  • Support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.

Step 1. Install and run MyRecover on your PC.

Download SoftwareWin 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Step 2. hover the mouse over the drive, and click Scan to scan.

select-a-partition-to-scan

Step 3. The software will run Quick Scan and Deep Scan automatically. After scanning, you’ll see all the deleted files and other missing files.

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Step 4. Select files you want to restore and click the “Recover x files” button. You’re supposed to store these retrieved files in a new location.

recover-lost-data

Further reading about hidden files and Windows File Recovery

Where can I find my hidden files?

Both Windows File Explorer and the attrib command can show your hidden files/folders.

▶For Windows File Explorer:

Press “Win + E” to open it and click “View” > “Options.” Under the “View” tab, tick the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option. After clicking “Apply,” click the “OK” button. This feature also enables you to recover the missing folders in Windows.

▶For the attrib command:

The attrib command is the targeted treatment for the hidden files/folders by modifying the read-only (R), hidden (H), system (S), and archive (A) file attributes.

Press “Win + X” and select the “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” option. Then you can type “attrib -h -r -s /s /d G:\*.*” and hit “Enter” to start the process. Remember to replace the drive letter of your source drive (where to save your needed files before deletion) with the “G” letter.

attrib-cmd

However, if the attrib command fails to work for you, which suggests your desired files are in a deleted state. Then you can read the above solutions to recover deleted files in Windows 10 or other operating systems.

Is a free tool that can be used to recover Windows files?

Wondering is a free tool that can be used to recover Windows files? The practice has proven there is. First launched in 2020, this free utility-Windows File Recovery aims to recover the lost files from your local storage devices. If your deleted files that are not in the Recycle Bin, and you’re familiar with CMD, you can try this command-line software.

Penny
Penny · Editor
Penny works as an editor at AOMEI Technology, while she's a tester and editor for AOMEI Data Recovery Tools. She enjoys helping users with data recovery issues on Windows and iPhones using simple and practical solutions. Outside of work, she has a strong affection for pets, particularly giant pandas.