Accidentally deleting an important file from your computer can be stressful. Whether it’s a work document, family photos, or personal data, the good news is that in many cases, you can recover deleted files with the right steps and tools. In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical methods on how to recover deleted files from your computer easily, including built-in recovery features and reliable software solutions.
1. Check the Recycle Bin or Trash First
When you delete a file on your Windows PC or Mac, it usually goes to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). These act as temporary storage for deleted files.
☐ On Windows:
- Open the Recycle Bin from your desktop.
- Locate the file you deleted.
- Right-click on it and select Restore. The file will return to its original folder.
☐ On Mac:
- Open the Trash from your dock.
- Find the deleted file.
- Right-click and choose Put Back to restore it to the original location.
👉 If you’ve already emptied the Recycle Bin or Trash, don’t worry—there are still other ways to recover your files.
2. Use File History or Backup Options
If you regularly back up your computer, restoring files becomes much easier.
☐ On Windows:
- Search for File History in the Control Panel.
- Browse previous versions of the folder where the file was located.
- Select the file and click Restore.
☐ On Mac (Time Machine):
- Open Time Machine from Applications.
- Navigate through the timeline to find the deleted file.
- Click Restore to recover it.
Regular backups are one of the safest ways to protect your data. If you don’t already back up your files, consider setting up an external hard drive or using a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud.
3. Try Data Recovery Software
If the file is not in the Recycle Bin or backup, the next step is to use data recovery software. Deleted files are not immediately erased from your hard drive—they remain hidden until new data overwrites them. Recovery software scans your drive for these hidden traces.
Some of the best recovery tools include:
☐ Recuva (Windows): A free and user-friendly tool for recovering photos, documents, and other files.
☐ EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows & Mac): A powerful software with a simple interface for recovering files from HDDs, SSDs, and external drives.
☐ Disk Drill (Windows & Mac): Known for its efficiency and wide file type support.
👉 Pro Tip: Install recovery software on a different drive than the one you’re recovering from to avoid overwriting your lost files.
4. Use Command Prompt (Advanced Method for Windows)
For more technical users, Windows Command Prompt can sometimes restore deleted files.
1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Run the following command:
chkdsk X: /f
(Replace X with the drive letter where the file was located.)
3. Then enter:
ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:*.*
This method attempts to recover files by repairing the drive. However, it’s not guaranteed and may not work for all file types.
5. Seek Professional Data Recovery Services
If your files are extremely valuable (business data, irreplaceable family photos, etc.) and the above methods don’t work, you may need professional help. Data recovery specialists can often retrieve files from damaged or formatted drives, though services can be expensive.
Tips to Prevent File Loss in the Future
☐ Enable automatic backups with Windows File History, Time Machine, or a cloud service.
☐ Use cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) for critical files.
☐ Be cautious when deleting files—always double-check before emptying the Recycle Bin.
☐ Keep recovery software handy so you can act quickly if something goes wrong.
Accidentally deleting a file doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. By checking the Recycle Bin, using built-in backup tools, or trying reliable data recovery software, you can often get your files back without much hassle. The sooner you act, the higher your chances of success.
Now that you know how to recover deleted files from your computer easily, take a moment to set up a backup system to avoid future headaches. After all, prevention is always better than cure.