How to Effectively Recover Deleted Photos from Hard Disk in 4 Ways

This article describes 4 effective ways to recover deleted photos from a hard disk. The best one is to use reliable Windows data recovery software, MyRecover.

By @Bryce Last Updated December 20, 2024

Can I recover deleted photos from my hard disk?

"Yesterday I accidentally deleted the photos on my hard drive, which stores my precious memories of recent years. I’m so anxious, and can I restore my photos? Please help!!!"

While using the computer, file deletion is unavoidable. But the good news is that deleted files still exist on the hard disk, even if you use the Shift + Delete keys to permanently delete files, or directly format the disk. It suggests that deleted photos are recoverable.

Please don't do any operation that results in data overwriting, making data recovery more difficult. 

  • Continue using hard disk after recognizing data loss.
  • Add new data to hard disk with deleted photos.
  • Format hard disk after deleting photos.

Then, keep reading this article to get 4 effective methods below whether your photos are deleted accidentally or intentionally. Remember to start data recovery quickly.

🥇MyRecover A reliable Windows data recovery software will do you a big favor in recovering deleted photos from a hard disk, with a high success rate and fast speed.
Recycle Bin It's a temporary storage to save recently deleted files in 30 days. Always check this if you use the Delete keys.
👍File History This can be a 100% working solution if you have any backup available. If not, this method will be useless. 
👍Backup and Restore (Windows 7) Like File History, it's a built-in backup software. You need to enable it before any disaster.

The best software to recover deleted photos from hard disk 

First, I want to show you a convenient and professional recovery software, MyRecover. This tool is available for Windows 7 or later and can restore deleted pictures from hard drives, SSD drives, external disks, SD cards, USB flash drives, and more. 

It provides users with a graphical interface and hence is easy to use and users can recover files with just a few mouse clicks.

Why choose MyRecover?

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • MyRecover runs advanced scanning methods - Quick Scan & Deep Scan automatically to search all recoverable files.
  • Recover photos with JPG, JPEG, PNG, and RAW extensions and even less popular ones like RGB, PSD, 3DM, 3FR, ABM, ART, ARW,  BLD, etc., over 90+ formats.
  • Search, filter, preview, and recover files while scanning.
  • Recover specific files or folders instead of all.
  • Support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.
  • Recover data in any scenario, e.g., permanent deletion, disk formatting, lost partition, system crash, etc.
Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Now, click the download button below to get started. 

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

Step 1. Open MyRecover on your PC. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted pictures before, and click Scan to scan.

Step 2. It will automatically find deleted pictures on hard drives with Quick Scan & Deep Scan

  • If you remember the original path of deleted photos, check the Deleted Files, Recycle Bin, or Other Missing Files folders as MyRecover saves them in these folders.
  • If not, click the funnel button and specify the "Image" data type to target the filter range. Then, type the file name or extension in the search box to narrow it down (if necessary).

Step 3. Once found, double-click to preview deleted photos and select them. Then, click Recover x files and choose a new path to store the recovered files. 

⚠️Notes:
  • Recover deleted files to original location may cause data overwriting. 

  • The Trial version of MyRecover can only be demoned. To recover deleted photos from hard drive, please upgrade MyRecover to the Professional or Technician edition. 

Other feasible methods to recover deleted photos from hard drive

There are 3 methods to recover deleted photos from hard disk without software. However, not every method is right for your circumstance, you can choose one that matches your situation.

Method 1. Check your Recycle Bin

When you delete your photos on hard disk, you should check your Recycle Bin for the first time because Recycle Bin is a folder that temporarily stores the deleted files.

⚠️Notes:
  • It just can recover files deleted by clicking Ctrl + D, if you delete files by using Shift +D or empty Recycle Bin, you should switch to other methods.

  • If the deleted files are too large, they may be bypassed in the Recycle Bin.

Step 1. Open your Recycle Bin on the desktop, and find your target file.

Step 2. Right-click the target file and click Restore.

Method 2. Restore deleted photos on hard disk from File History

File History is a Windows built-in feature that allows you to automatically back up your data. It’s worth having a try. You must enable it before deleting photos.

Step 1. Launch the Control Panel, and click the System and Security.

Step 2. Click File History and tap Restore your files with File History.

Step 3. Find and right-click the Restore personal files on the left list.

Step 4. The deleted file will appear on your interface and then click the Restore.

Method 3. Recover hard disk photos from Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is an outstanding Windows backup tool, and it can help you to back up the system and data. The recovery process is shown below.

Step 1. Launch the Windows menu and choose Control Panel > Click System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2. Click on the Restore my files button on this page.

Step 3.  Click the “Search…”, “Browse for files”, and “Browse for folders” options to find your deleted photos. 

Step 4. Select a location to recover deleted photos. You can choose the original location or browse to a new location. Then, click Start Restore.

Sum up

There are 4 ways to recover deleted photos from hard disk with and without software. The file recovery software is indeed useful, and easy to use, especially for users who don't have any backup. Why not download it to have atry?

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

But that doesn't mean you can ignore protecting your data safety. I strongly introduce you to AOMEIBackupper Standard, a free backup tool , which can automatically back up your data daily/weekly/monthly.