How to Recover Lost or Deleted Files on Your Computer
How to Recover Lost or Deleted Files on Your Computer
Accidentally deleting an important file can be frustrating, but don’t panic—there’s a good chance you can recover it. Whether your files were deleted by mistake, lost due to a system crash, or corrupted by malware, several methods can help restore your data. Follow this step-by-step guide to recover your lost or deleted files.
1. Check the Recycle Bin
If you recently deleted a file, it may still be in the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac).
Open the Recycle Bin from the desktop.
Look for your file using the search bar.
Right-click the file and select Restore to return it to its original location.
For Mac users, open Trash, locate the file, right-click, and select Put Back.
2. Use File History or Previous Versions (Windows)
Windows automatically backs up files using File History if it’s enabled.
Right-click the folder where your file was stored.
Select Restore previous versions.
Browse the available versions and click Restore to recover your file.
If File History is turned off, consider enabling it to prevent future data loss:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
Select Add a drive and choose an external storage device.
3. Restore from a Backup
If you regularly back up your data, check your external drive or cloud storage.
Windows Backup & Restore: Go to Control Panel > Backup and Restore to recover files.
Mac Time Machine: If using Time Machine, open it and locate the missing file to restore.
Cloud Storage: Services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox may have a copy of your lost file.
4. Use Data Recovery Software
If your file isn’t in the Recycle Bin or backups, data recovery software may help. Some popular options include:
Recuva (Windows)
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows/Mac)
Disk Drill (Windows/Mac)
Steps to recover using Recuva:
Download and install Recuva.
Open the program and select the type of file (documents, photos, videos, etc.).
Choose the location where the file was stored.
Click Scan, then restore the file if found.
5. Check Temporary Files
Windows often stores temporary copies of files.
Press
Windows + R, type%temp%, and hit Enter.Look for files with a similar name or extension.
Copy and paste them to a safe location.
6. Contact a Data Recovery Specialist
If your files were deleted due to a hard drive failure, virus attack, or corruption, professional data recovery services may be required. At ABQ Computer Pros, we specialize in retrieving lost data from damaged or formatted drives.
Prevent Future File Loss
To avoid losing important files, follow these best practices:
Enable File History or Time Machine for automatic backups.
Use cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) for extra security.
Avoid emptying the Recycle Bin without checking for important files.
Use an external hard drive for regular backups.
Conclusion
Losing files doesn’t have to be permanent. By following these recovery steps, you have a good chance of restoring lost data. If you need professional help, ABQ Computer Pros is here to assist with expert data recovery solutions. Contact us today for fast and reliable file recovery services!
