Introduction
Deleting files and emptying the trash is a common action that many computer users perform without thinking twice. However, sometimes you may realize too late that you deleted an important file or folder permanently from the trash. Thankfully, with the right tools and techniques, recovering those deleted files in 2024 is possible for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Checking the Trash Before Recovery
Before using data recovery software or techniques, the first step is to double check the trash. Files in the trash are not permanently deleted until the trash is emptied.
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On Windows, open the Recycle Bin by double clicking the icon on the desktop or going to Start > Recycle Bin.
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On Mac, open the Trash by clicking the Trash icon in the Dock or going to Finder > Trash.
If the deleted files are still in the trash, they can simply be restored by right clicking and selecting “Restore”. After restoring, be sure to move the files to a new location on the hard drive so they are not accidentally deleted again.
Using Data Recovery Software
If the trash has already been emptied, the next step is to use dedicated data recovery software to scan the hard drive and recover deleted files. There are many data recovery programs available in 2024, both free and paid.
Some top data recovery software options include:
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Stellar Data Recovery – Works on Windows and Mac. Can recover lost data from hard drives, SSDs, SD cards, etc. Has free and paid versions.
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EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard – Works on Windows and Mac. Free version recovers up to 2GB of data. Paid version has unlimited recovery.
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Disk Drill – Mac and Windows support. Has free and premium versions. Easy to use interface.
Using Data Recovery Software
The steps to use data recovery software are straightforward:
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Download and install the data recovery program on your computer.
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Launch the program and select the drive partition you want to scan. This is usually the main C: drive where deleted files were located.
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Click “Scan” to search the drive for recoverable data. This may take some time depending on the drive size.
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Preview and select the recoverable files you want to restore.
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Choose a save location – like an external hard drive – to recover and save the deleted files.
Recovering from a Drive Image or Backup
Another option to retrieve deleted files is to restore them from a drive image or backup. If you regularly create system backups or drive images using software like Apple Time Machine or Windows File History, you may be able to restore deleted files from a previous backup.
The steps involve:
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Connect the external hard drive or access the backup service where your backups are saved.
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Launch the backup software and navigate to the backup date when you know the deleted file still existed.
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Browse and find the deleted file in the backup.
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Restore the file back to your main hard drive or a safe location.
Backups provide a great way to undo accidental file deletion as long as you have a backup that contains the deleted file.
Using Command Line Tools
Advanced users may be able to leverage command line tools like TestDisk or PhotoRec to recover deleted files on both Windows and Mac computers. These are more complex tools that directly scan and recover data from hard disk drives.
Some key steps when using these tools include:
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Booting into the command line environment. This may require a boot disc or USB drive.
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Scanning the hard drive for recoverable data and lost file types.
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Choosing files and copying them to another drive to complete the file recovery.
Taking the time to learn these tools can empower savvy users with more options.
Avoiding File Loss in the First Place
The best way to avoid needing file recovery is having solid backups in place. Consider these backup best practices:
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Use an automatic backup service like Apple Time Machine or Windows File History.
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Create system image backups monthly in case your OS is corrupted.
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Store backups both locally and in the cloud for redundancy.
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Backup important files manually to an external drive.
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Enable file versioning in cloud storage like Dropbox so you can restore previous versions of files.
Following a solid backup strategy greatly minimizes the risk of permanent data loss and gives peace of mind. Just be sure to test that you can successfully restore from backups periodically.
Conclusion
Losing important files permanently can be stressful and frustrating. Thankfully recovering deleted items from the trash in 2024 can often be achieved by using data recovery software, restoring from backups, or leveraging command line tools. Following best practices for backing up systems and files is also essential to avoid needing recovery in the first place. With the right preparation and tools, permanent data loss does not have to be inevitable – recovery is possible.
