Recovering Permanently Deleted Files on Windows in 2024

Introduction

Recovering deleted files can be difficult, especially if you have permanently deleted them without sending them to the Recycle Bin first. However, with the right tools and techniques, it may be possible to get some or all of your files back. In this article, I will provide an overview of how file deletion and recovery works on Windows and the best methods for trying to recover permanently deleted files in 2024.

How File Deletion Works on Windows

When you delete a file on Windows, it is not immediately erased from your hard drive. Instead, Windows removes it from your file directory structure and marks the space it was occupying as available for new data. The actual file contents remain on the drive until that space is overwritten by something else.

Here is a quick overview of what happens when you delete a file:

• Sent to Recycle Bin – By default, deleted files are sent to the Recycle Bin. They can easily be restored from here until the Recycle Bin is emptied.

• Permanently Deleted – If you permanently delete a file by pressing Shift + Delete or from the Recycle Bin, it skips the Recycle Bin and is marked as free space on the drive.

• File Table Removal – Windows removes the file’s entry in the file table so it appears deleted in your folders.

• Overwritten – Over time, the part of the drive where the deleted file resides will be overwritten by new data as you use your computer. Once fully overwritten, the file is essentially gone for good.

File Recovery Basics

Since deleted files aren’t immediately erased, there is a window of opportunity for recovery tools to retrieve them before they get overwritten. However, the success depends on several factors:

• Time elapsed – The less time that has passed, the higher your chances since less data may have overwritten your deleted files.

• Drive activity – The more you continue writing data to the drive, the greater the odds of overwriting deleted files.

• File size – Larger files have a better chance of recovery since they occupy more space that would need to be overwritten.

• File system – Some file systems like NTFS keep more metadata about deleted files than others.

Best Practices Before File Recovery

If you just realized important files are missing, stop using the drive and act quickly! Here are some best practices to improve your chances:

• Stop writing data – Avoid creating/modifying files or installing programs on the impacted drive.

• Use another system – Connect the drive to another system if possible for recovery.

• Remove portable drives – Detach any external USB drives to avoid accidentally overwriting data.

Taking these steps early on can prevent deleted files from being further overwritten.

File Recovery Methods

Now let’s explore your options for file recovery on Windows in 2024:

1. Restore from Backup

Ideally, you should have a good backup of your important files. If so, restoring from backup is quick and easy. Potential backup sources include:

• Cloud services – Such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. Check if previous versions are available.

• External drives – Such as a USB drive or NAS you use for backups.

• System restore – If System Restore was enabled, you may rollback the system to undo deletions.

• VM snapshots – Snapshots taken of a virtual machine can provide file-level recovery.

Backups are the gold standard for reliability and convenience. But not everyone has them…

2. Recycle Bin

Next, check if the files are still in the Recycle Bin. This is a temporary holding place for deleted files until manually emptied.

• Browse and restore from here if available.

• May hold on to files for weeks, months, or indefinitely.

• Recycle Bin is usually the first place to look before trying more advanced recovery.

3. Reliable File Recovery Software

If the files are not in the Recycle Bin, the next option is an advanced data recovery tool. Several commercial recovery products have a high success rate:

• Stellar Data Recovery – Has various scanning modes to locate recoverable files.

• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard – Allows “deep scan” to dig for deleted files.

• Disk Drill – Scans for lost partitions and boot sectors.

Look for one with a free trial so you can preview recoverable files.

4. System Restore

The Windows System Restore feature rolls back system files and settings to an earlier point. If enabled, you may be able to use it to recover deleted files:

• Only affects files stored in protected locations like Windows folders.

• Won’t recover files in user folders or other drives.

• Useful alongside other methods if the deletion happened recently.

5. Shadow Explorer

Windows creates hidden “shadow copies” of files as restore points. Tools like Shadow Explorer let you access these:

• May reveal copies of deleted files from shadow storage.

• Files must have been there at time of last restore point.

This method only reveals files that existed in previous shadow copies.

6. File Carving

If all else fails, file carving uses data recovery software to scan the raw drive and reconstruct deleted files.

• Requires a deep scan seeking file headers/footers to rebuild them.

• Typically finds only larger files like documents, movies, photos.

• Successful on unfragmented drives if files were contiguous.

File carving involves advanced skills but can recover files when all else fails.

Avoiding File Loss

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to losing important files:

• Have backups – Maintain both local and cloud backups.

• Delete carefully – Use keyboard shortcuts to send files to Recycle Bin.

• Free disk space – Delete unused programs and files regularly.

• Monitor drive health – Replace aging drives that may fail.

• Use versioning – Enable shadow copies and system restore.

Following best practices greatly reduces the need for advanced recovery methods. But if disaster strikes, at least you have options to attempt getting your files back on Windows. Just act quickly and use the right tools.

Conclusion

While file recovery is never guaranteed, I hope this overview gives you some options to try if important files are deleted off your Windows computer or external drives. The key is avoiding further overwriting the files you want to restore. Tools like recovery software, file carving, and system restore provide your best chances – along with watching your Recycle Bin. And going forward, make sure you are diligently backing up files to minimize how often you need to rely on recovery. Let me know if you have any other questions!