Introduction
Misplacing important files can be incredibly frustrating. As someone who relies heavily on my computer to store information, I’ve had my fair share of panicked moments searching for a vanished file. Fortunately, there are several effective methods for recovering lost files and folders. In this article, I’ll provide an in-depth guide on how to get back missing files using Windows tools, third party software, and data recovery services.
Check the Recycle Bin
The first place to check when a file goes missing is the Recycle Bin. This is essentially a temporary holding folder for deleted files. To open the Recycle Bin:
- Open the desktop or File Explorer.
- Double click on the Recycle Bin icon.
Inside the Recycle Bin, you can view files and folders that have recently been deleted. To restore a file, simply right click on it and select Restore. The file will be returned to its original location.
Be aware that the Recycle Bin has limited storage space. Once capacity is reached, older files will be permanently deleted to make room for new ones. Therefore, don’t rely on the Recycle Bin indefinitely.
Use File Search Tools
If a file is not in the Recycle Bin, the next step is to perform a deep search of your system. Windows provides the indexed based search tool called File Explorer. Here’s how to use it:
- Open File Explorer.
- In the search bar, enter keywords or the file name.
- Open the “Options” menu and check “Search Recursively”. This will search all folders.
- Check other options like date modified and file type to narrow the search.
File Explorer will comb through your entire system and display results based on your search query. This method can successfully uncover files that may have been accidentally moved or renamed.
Check Backup Drives and Cloud Storage
Nowadays, many of us use backup drives and cloud storage services to keep copies of important files. After searching locally, examine any external hard drives, USB sticks, cloud accounts, etc that you use for backup. Some files may have been deleted from the main system but remain in a backup location.
Popular cloud storage providers like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive have powerful file recovery capabilities:
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Google Drive: Deleted files are kept for 30 days in the trash folder before being permanently removed. Simply check the trash to restore.
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Dropbox: Deleted files are kept for 30 days in theDeleted Files folder accessible from Dropbox.com. Users can restore from here.
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OneDrive: Deleted files are kept for 30 days in the Recycle Bin. Use the Recycle Bin restore option.
Use Data Recovery Software
If you still can’t locate a file after using search tools and checking backups, then data recovery software presents another option. These specialized programs can find and restore deleted files from your hard drive. Some popular choices include:
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Recuva: Free download that recovers files deleted from Windows systems. Provides deep scan capabilities.
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EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Widely used paid software with excellent reviews. Great for retrieving accidentally deleted files.
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Stellar Data Recovery: Advanced paid recovery tool good for severe file loss situations like hard drive failure or corruption.
Data recovery software takes time to comb through a drive, but can recover files when all else fails. Be sure to install the program on a separate drive from the one you are scanning for best results.
Send Drive to a Data Recovery Service
Finally, for extreme cases of file loss involving drive damage or corruption, a professional data recovery service may be needed. These experts possess specialized equipment and clean room facilities to repair drives and recover data. The process can be expensive, often starting around $300 and going up considerably for larger drives. But for irreplaceable files, the cost may be warranted.
Some reputable data recovery services include:
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DriveSavers: A longtime industry leader that offers free evaluation and can recover data from virtually any storage device.
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Ontrack: Known for excellence recovering data from challenging situations like natural disasters and mechanical failures.
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Gillware: A budget-friendly provider starting at $299 for simple deleted file recovery from hard drives.
No matter what recovery method you pursue, don’t continue using a drive with deleted files on it. This overwriting of data makes file recovery difficult. Also, avoid opening recovery software on the problematic drive itself. With patience and the right tools, you stand an excellent chance of getting back lost or deleted files. Just act quickly before they are gone for good!
