8 Ways | How to Recover Files Deleted from Recycle Bin

When you delete files in Windows 10 or 11 and want to recover important files, how to recover deleted files from Recycle Bin? If you haven't emptied the folder yet, you don't need to worry about Recycle Bin recovery.

However, if the file is permanently deleted or the Recycle Bin is emptied, the situation becomes more complex.

Please don’t be concerned. In this full Recycle Bin recovery guide, we’ll provide 3 quick ways to recover deleted files from  Recycle Bin directly and 5 effective ways to recover permanently deleted files from the Recycle Bin after empty.

Can You Recover Files Deleted from Recycle Bin

Yes. When you accidentally delete files in the Windows operating system, the desktop Recycle Bin saves all the deleted files and folders before permanent deletion. At this point, you can go to the Recycle Bin to find and recover them.

But often, when you search for this problem, it means that you have emptied the recycle bin or the file has been automatically or manually permanently deleted.

Since the data deletion process only removes the reference path instead of the actual contents, you can utilize data recovery software to get them back before newly added data taking up the free space of the deleted file. Besides, you can also restore files from fIle backups (if available).

Inportant! Please note the following points to improve your emptied Recycle Bin recovery rate.

Part 1. How to Recover Data from the Recycle Bin before Empty

Please refer to the following ways to recover deleted files from the desktop Recycle Bin or OneDrive Recycle Bin based on your needs.

#1. Undo Delete Files via CTRL + Z

If you've accidentally deleted a file in File Explorer and wish to undo it, a quick way is to press Ctrl+Z, a universal shortcut in Windows to undo the last changes.

Alternatively, you can utilize the "Undo Delete" option in File Explorer: Navigate to the folder where the deletion occurred > right-clicking within the folder > select the Undo Delete option.

#2. Check to Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin

If the Recycle Bin hasn't been emptied or files haven't been permanently deleted from it, you can directly restore them. Let’s show how to restore deleted items from Recycle Bin via the following clicks.

▶ Double-click the Recycle Bin icon to open it > locate your deleted or lost files > right-click on these files and click Restore to recover them to their original locations.

#3. Recover OneDrive Lost Files from OneDrive Recycle Bin

Microsoft releases a built-in cloud backup service called OneDrive, and many users often use it to back up and sync their local folders.

If you have a backup of your deleted files on your OneDrive account, the good news is that you can easily access and restore your backup. Let’s show how it works.

Step 1. Go to https://onedrive.com/ and log in with your Microsoft OneDrive account.

Step 2. Navigate to the folder containing deleted files. Select the file you want to restore and click Download.

Part 2. How to Recover Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin after Empty

Files won't be recycled but permanently deleted if data are removed in the following 4 situations.

1️⃣ Empty the Recycle Bin.
2️⃣ Use the "Shift + Delete" keys.
3️⃣ This file/folder is too big to recycle.

4️⃣ ​​​​​ The Recycle Bin is too full to retain deleted files and folders.

How to complete emptied Recycle Bin recovery? Don't despair – your files may not be gone forever. Recovery is still possible, though it's more challenging. Here are 5 methods to consider.

#1. Recover Lost Files with the Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery, a free tool from Microsoft, can recover files from the Recycle Bin even after it's emptied. Designed for Windows 10 and later, it involves using the command prompt, which might be challenging for non-tech users.

Before using it, please make sure your drive is in the right mode.

Step 1. Go to This PC to right-click on your drive and click Properties.

Step 2. Select a recommended mode according to the file system of your drive and data loss circumstances.

Step 3. Choose your needed switches from the form below.

Then, follow the steps below to recover deleted files from Recycle Bin via Windows File Recovery.

Step 1. Search Windows File Recovery and click Get to download this command-line software from Microsoft Store. Then, install and open it on your PC.

Step 2. Input the command line based on the general command line syntax: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches].

For example, if you need to recover zip files from the Recycle Bin under C: drive to E drive, you need to input commands like winfr C: E: /extensive /n \C:\Recycler\*.zip

#2. Recover Emptied Recycle Bin Files via MyRecover

If you're not familiar with command-based solutions and desire a straightforward method to perform emptied Recycle Bin recovery, MyRecover can give you a hand. It will thoroughly scan your selected computer drive and recover deleted files from Recycle Bin after empty.

It offers a simple interface for recovering deleted or lost files in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Windows Server. MyRecover boasts a high success rate and ensures the preservation of all original deleted files during the recovery process.

MyRecover

Top1 Recycle Bin Recovery Software

• Recover 200+ formats: It can recover deleted Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, JPG, MP4, MP3, CDA, ZIP, MSG, and more.
• Easy to operate: It will automatically start a quick scan and a deep scan to get your deleted files with simple clicks.
• Enabling file filtering and preview by Files Type, Size, Date, etc.

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Now, please refer to the following steps to perform Recycle Bin recovery easily.

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover, hover the mouse over the C drive, and click Scan.

Step 2. Then the scanning process will start automatically. You can use the Search Box or the Filter feature to quickly locate the files you want.

Step 3. Under the Recycle Bin folder, you will see a list of data and choose the files you would like to recover. Then, click Recover x files.

Step 4. Please select a new location instead of the original location to save the files and click Select Folder to confirm it.

#3. Restore Deleted, Lost, and Corrupted Files via File History

File history is a built-in feature in the Windows operating system that allows users to back up and restore their files. If you possess a File History backup, you can recover files in Windows 8/10/11 easily. For Windows 7 users, you can apply the way 4 Windows Backup and Restore features.

By enabling File History, you gain the ability to restore previous versions of files/ folders.

Step 1. Type Control Panel in the search bar to openControl Panel>System and Security>File History > Restore your files with File History.

Step 2. Click Restore personal files.

Step 3. Go to the path where the deleted files were stored. Then, select and click the Recover button to recover them.

#4. Restore Deleted and Lost Files from Windows Backup and Restore

Like File History, Windows Backup and Restore is an integrated Windows backup utility. It can help you backup files and folders for Windows 7 and later. If you have a backup, you can retrieve deleted files via it.

Step 1. Type Control Panel in the search bar to openControl Panel>System and Security>Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2. Click Restore my files.

Step 3. Click Browse for files/folders and select the files you need. Then, click Next.

Step 4. You can opt to restore the files to the location and click Restore.

#5. Restore Deleted and Lost via the Previous Version

You have another option to recover deleted files through the Previous Version. This feature provides access to earlier versions or backup copies of files stored on your computer. These versions are created by either File History or System Restore.

Please ensure you’ve activated File History or System Protection of the local disk that saves your desired files before adopting this way. How’s do:

Step 1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer. Locate the folder which is used to save the deleted file.

Step 2. Right-click it and then click Properties>Previous Version. Choose a version before the date you deleted the file, and click Restore.

FAQs

Conclusion

The above content depicts how to perform Recycle Bin recovery. If your files are still in Recycle Bin, you can quickly recover deleted files from Recycle Bin in 3 ways. If your Recycle Bin is empty, you can use another 5 ways to recover permanently deleted files.

To protect your data and avoid file loss problems, you’re recommended to create regular backups of all valuable data with this free professional backup software for Windows AOMEI Backupper.