4 Proven Methods to Perform Windows 10 Undo Permanent Delete

When you permanently deleted your files by mistake, is it possible to recover them? The answer is YES! This post primarily introduces 4 proven methods to perform Windows 10 undo permanent delete.

By @Ellie Last Updated November 13, 2024

How do I undo a permanent delete on Windows 10?

“Yesterday, when I was free up my computer space. I accidentally use the Shift + Delete key combination to delete some of my files. I was intend to use Ctrl + D instead. Now, I need some of the files that have been deleted yesterday. Can anyone tell me how to undo permanently delete on Windows 10?” 

-Question from Windows Forum

How can files be permanently deleted?

There are more common reasons behind permanent file loss. If you don’t want to lose your files permanently, pay attention to them.

  • ✍Deleting files by pressing “Shift + Delete”.
  • ✍Accidentally emptying the Recycle Bin.
  • ✍“Do not move deleted files to Recycle Bin” option is enabled.
  • ✍File corruption results from malware or virus infections on your computer.
  • ✍Deleting any file from the command line.

How to perform Windows 10 undo permanent delete [4 methods] 

In this section, we’ll introduce 4 methods to perform Windows 10 undo permanent delete.

Method 1. Restore permanently deleted files with data recovery tool

The first try is always the most important. With the right tool, you can get back your permanently deleted files with ease. Or you may also make the situation worse and are never able to retrieve the files. Therefore, the first method we recommend is to use the professional data recovery freeware MyRecover.

Easy-to-operate. Within 3 simple steps, it enables you to recover lost or deleted files from Windows.
All-inclusive. It applies to various file loss scenarios in Windows, including recovering files from formatted drives, corrupted partitions, after system crashes, virus attacks, etc.
High-speed. It recovers lost files at high speed.
High recovery rate. It recovers your files with a high recovery rate, even if it was permanently deleted.
Widely-compatible. It supports NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS in Windows 11/10/8/7 & Windows Server.
Comprehensive. It can recover lost/deleted texts, pictures, videos, audios, emails, compressed files, etc., in original format.

Download, install and launch MyRecover on your computer.  

Free Download

Step 1. Hover the mouse over the drive and click Scan to scan.

Step 2. The scanning process will then begin automatically. You can also use the search box to find a specific file and recover it quickly.

Step 3. Select the files you want to recover. Click Recover xx files and specify a location for the restored files.

Method 2. Restore permanently deleted files from a Windows backup

The second method to Windows 10 recover permanently deleted files is to recover them from a Windows backup making with the Windows built-in utility Backup and Restore if you have this feature enabled in advance.

Step 1. Input Control Panel in the Windows search bar, and start it.

Step 2. Click System and Security and then Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 3. Here you’ll see if you have this function enabled. If you do, click Select another backup to restore files from. If you don’t, jump to the next method.

Step 4. Select the backup and then click Next.

Step 5. Search for your excel file by using the Browse for files or Browse for folders option.

Step 6. Choose a location to save the backup, select your files and click Restore to recover it.

Method 3. Use the Previous Versions facility to retrieve deleted files

You can use the File History feature in Windows 10 to save copies of your files so that you can recover them whenever you need to if you want to recover permanently deleted files without software.

 Step 1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.

Step 2. Here you’ll see if you have this feature turned on. If yes, click Restore personal files. If not, go to the final method.

Step 3. Select the excel file you need to recover and then click the Restore button.

Method 4. Restore permanently deleted files in Windows 10 free using CMD

Of course, you can also recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10 using CMD. Follow the steps below.

Preparation work:

Check your File System first before using this tool. Go to This PC, right-click the partition containing the deleted files, and then select Properties.

 In addition, you need to use recovery mode and switches to get back your files. To decide which mode to use, refer to this table.

File system Scenarios Mode
NTFS Deleted recently Regular
NTFS Deleted for a while Extensive
NTFS Formatted disk Extensive
NTFS Corrupted disk Extensive
FAT and exFAT Any Extensive

Switches are used to filter the scanning range, thus can save the scanning time.

Switches Meaning 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. NTFSSegment
/u Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin. NTFSSegment

Step 1. Download and install Window File Recovery on your computer from Microsoft Store and then open it.

Step 2. Open Powershell or Command Prompt (run as administrator). In the Command Prompt, enter commands in the following command format:

winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

For example, if you need to recover deleted pdf files from F: drive (the external hard drive) to D: drive, then the command will be like:

winfr F: D: /regular /n *.pdf

Closing words

This post primarily introduces 4 ways to perform Windows 10 undo permanent delete. Among these, MyRecover is highly recommended. With it, you can always get back your permanently deleted files with ease.

In addition, we'd like to offer a piece of advice for protecting your files. Using the specialized data backup and restore tool AOMEI Backupper, you must always keep an updated backup of all of your important files.