How to Recover: Some Files Are Missing from Windows 10

What causes some files are missing from Windows 10?

Most of us will encounter file missing for a number of reasons, and it will surely cause us anxiety and pain, particularly if we require them immediately. Before the data recovery, you may wonder why files are missing from Windows 10 computer. The main reasons are as follows.

• Unconsciously file deletion. Although it may sound unusual, it is possible that you may have forgotten that you deleted the file and thought it was missing. • File Corruption. Files can be corrupted by another software inserting bad data or by any form of problem that prevents the computer from writing the file while saving, such as a power outage or a system crash. • Malware. Malware and viruses might cause files to missing because when they try to rewrite a file while infected, they may generate write errors that corrupt the file.

"Can a missing lost be recovered?" asked one user. Fortunately, the answer is YES! Keep reading this guide to know how to perform data recovery when some files are missing from Windows 10 computer.

Way 1. Recover missing files from Windows 10 File History

To protect your Windows files, the File History feature in Windows 10 computer offers you a backup solution. It can also be a nice helper if you wonder how to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 10 without software.

However, just like any other backup system, you must first enable it, or this method is not available for you. You can skip to the other two methods below to get missing files back. Follow the steps below to know how to recover missing files from Windows 10.

Step 1. In the Windows search bar, type in Control Panel > In the prompt window, choose System and Security.

Step 2. Choose File History > Select Restore personal files from the left pane.

Step 3. In the next window, you should see your missing files. Select the files you need to restore and click the Recycle button.

Way 2. Recover missing files with Windows 10 File Recovery

There is an official data recovery tool issued by Windows called Windows File Recovery available for you to recover missing files from Windows 10 computer. The software is compatible with Windows 10 version 2004 and later.

Please be noted in advance that since the tool requires input command-line, it is somewhat complicated for the user who is unfamiliar with computer operation.

Preparation to utilizing Windows File Recovery Before the recovery process, you need to check the file system of the disk where your files missed from. Click This PC > Locate and right-click the partition/disk > Select Properties to view it in the File System section.

Now, you can recover deleted/missing files from Windows 10 with the steps below.

Step 1. Search for Windows File Recovery in the Microsoft Store and click Get to install it on your PC.

Step 2. Search for the program in the Windows search box, and click it > Click Run as administrator.

Step 3. Choose a suitable mode to recover your missing files based on the File System you just check.

File system	Circumstances	Recommended mode
NTFS	Deleted recently	Default
NTFS	Deleted a while ago	Segment, followed by Signature
NTFS	After formatting a disk	Segment, followed by Signature
NTFS	A corrupted disk	Segment, followed by Signature
FAT and exFAT	Any	Extensive

Step 4. Follow the prompts to enter the correct command line, such as winfr D: E: extensive /n *paper* > Click Y to continue.

Switches	Definition	Supported mode(s)
/n	Filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc.	All
/y:	Recover specific extension groups.	Signature
/k	Recovers system files.	NTFS Segment​​​​​
/u	Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin.	NTFS Segment

Warm tip: The destination drive of your recovered files should not be the source drive they were saved in before. You can save the recovered files to anywhere else.

Way 3. Simplest way to recover missing files via data recovery software

If you can't recover all the missing files from Windows 10 PC using the two methods above for various reasons and limitations, you can use the powerful data recovery software - MyRecover, which can be one of the best solutions when it comes to recovering missing files in Windows 10.

Now, let’s recover deleted/missing files in Windows 10 with the free and professional data recovery software.

Step 1. Run MyRecover on your computer > hover the mouse over the drive, and click Scan to let the tool scan your disk.

Step 2. The deleted/lost files will be scanned and listed in the Scanned files list. You can click each folder to browse them here.

You can also search the name of the files or folder in the search bar to find them.

Step 3. Locate and choose the lost files from the list > Click Recover x files > Choose a destination to save the files so that you don’t need to worry where are recovered files stored.

MyRecover also allows you to recover data from wiped/partitioned hard drive, USB, pen drives, and so on. Just plug them into computer, and make it with the three steps above.

Conclusion

That’s all for the three ways you can try when you find some files are missing for Windows 10 and need data recovery. Before racking your brains for other solutions, I suggest you to use MyRecover directly to recover your data as soon as possible.

Besides, it is highly recommended to back up your files in Windows regularly to avoid unexpected data loss in advance. If this guide helps you, please share it with others.