How to Recover Lost or Deleted Files on Your Computer

Mar 31

Written By Chad .

How to Recover Lost or Deleted Files on Your Computer

Losing important files can be a nightmare, whether it’s due to accidental deletion, system crashes, hardware failure, or malware attacks. Fortunately, in many cases, you can recover lost or deleted files if you act quickly. This guide will walk you through the best methods to restore your files before they are permanently lost.

1. Check the Recycle Bin

Before trying advanced recovery methods, start with the Recycle Bin.

How to Restore Files from the Recycle Bin:

Double-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop.
Look for your deleted file.
Right-click the file and select Restore.

This will return the file to its original location. However, if you emptied the Recycle Bin, you’ll need other recovery options.

2. Use File History or Previous Versions (Windows)

Windows has built-in backup tools that can help you recover lost files.

Recover Files Using File History:

Go to Settings (Windows + I).
Click Update & Security > Backup.
If File History is enabled, click Restore files from a current backup and locate your file.

Recover Files Using Previous Versions:

Right-click the folder where the file was stored.
Select Restore previous versions.
Choose an earlier version and click Restore.

If File History wasn’t enabled, try the next method.

3. Use Data Recovery Software

If your files are permanently deleted, data recovery software can help retrieve them before they’re overwritten.

Popular Free Data Recovery Tools:

Recuva – A user-friendly tool for recovering deleted files.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard – Great for retrieving lost files from formatted drives.
Disk Drill – Works well for recovering deleted partitions and documents.

How to Use Data Recovery Software:

Download and install the recovery tool.
Launch the program and select the drive where the file was deleted.
Click Scan to search for lost files.
Locate the file and click Recover (save it to a different drive to avoid overwriting data).

4. Check Cloud Backups (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox)

If you use cloud storage, your file may still be retrievable.

How to Restore from Cloud Backups:

Log into your OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox account.
Look for the deleted file in the Trash or Recycle Bin section.
Restore it to recover your lost data.

Cloud backups automatically save files, making them a great option for file recovery.

5. Contact a Professional Data Recovery Service

If your lost files are highly valuable or you’ve suffered hardware failure, professional help may be the best solution.

At ABQ Computer Pros, we specialize in data recovery services, whether your files were lost due to accidental deletion, hard drive corruption, or system crashes. Our experts use advanced tools to recover files safely.

Prevent Future File Loss

Regularly back up your files using an external hard drive or cloud storage.
Enable File History or System Restore to keep copies of important documents.
Use reliable antivirus software to prevent malware from corrupting files.

Need Help Recovering Lost Files? Contact ABQ Computer Pros Today!

If you need data recovery assistance, ABQ Computer Pros is here to help. Whether it’s a deleted document, lost photos, or a corrupted drive, our team can restore your data efficiently. Contact us today for expert recovery services!

Chad .