Chances are you’ve found yourself in a situation where you have needed to recover deleted files quickly. However, it’s possible that you can restore the data, depending on the scenario. We’ll walk you through the processes required just in case you find yourself scratching your head over a potentially deleted file.
Step One: Stop Creating More Data
When you’re trying to recover deleted files, it’s important to know that they usually aren’t deleted immediately. The file is hidden away, only to be replaced and overwritten by new files. If you are trying to find lost or misplaced files, you should avoid installing any software, streaming media, or downloading anything further. You don’t want the files to be overwritten while you’re trying to find them.
Step Two: Check Your Recycle Bin or Deleted Items
Any deleted files you have will find their way into the Recycle Bin, and there’s a pretty good chance that you can find them there. To find them, use the Search Recycle Bin option to see its contents. You can even Sort by Date Deleted. This is only if the file deleted was on a local computer. As for cloud storage services, you might find the deleted files in a cloud trash bin, from where you could possibly restore the file.
Step Three: Check That the File Wasn’t Just Misplaced
It’s possibly that the file wasn’t deleted, it may just be in a different folder. This is where File Explorer’s Search function is particularly helpful. Be sure to check that the file is still located somewhere else, it could save you time later.
Step Four: Turn to Your Backup Solution to Recover Deleted Files
The reason you have a backup solution in place is to make sure that any mistakes, whether they are entirely your fault or from something outside your control, are able to be undone. Your backup solution should be able to recover lost files, even small ones. Which is why it’s essential to have one in place.
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