Losing important files can be a frustrating and stressful experience for any Windows user. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted a crucial document, experienced a sudden system crash, or lost access to a hard drive, knowing the right recovery methods can make all the difference. Below are five essential file recovery techniques that every Windows user should master, complete with step-by-step guidance and practical examples. Sections are provided for both beginners and advanced users to ensure everyone can follow along.
Can You Recover Files from the Recycle Bin?
For Beginners:
1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
2. Browse through the list to find your deleted file.
3. Right-click the file you want to restore.
4. Select “Restore.” Your file will return to its original location.
Example: If you mistakenly deleted a Word document you were working on, open the Recycle Bin and look for the file name. Right-click and restore it—it will reappear in the folder where it was last saved.
For Advanced Users:
If you’ve emptied the Recycle Bin, this method won’t work. Move on to the methods below.
How to Use Windows’ Built-In File History for Recovery?
For Beginners:
1. Open the folder where the lost file was originally stored.
2. Right-click inside the folder and select “Properties.”
3. Click on the “Previous Versions” tab.
4. Select a version from the list and click “Restore” to recover the file.
Example: You’ve overwritten a spreadsheet. By using the “Previous Versions” feature, you can roll back to a version saved earlier if File History was enabled.
For Advanced Users:
File History must be activated for this to work. If you haven’t set it up:
1. Open “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Backup.”
2. Click “Add a drive” to connect an external drive.
3. Turn on “Automatically back up my files.”
Tip: Advanced users may use PowerShell to access shadow copies or automate File History backups.
Can Third-Party Utilities Help Recover Permanently Deleted Files?
For Beginners:
When files are permanently deleted (Shift + Delete), recovery software is your best bet. Glary Utilities is a robust and user-friendly solution.
Step-by-step with Glary Utilities:
1. Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
2. Open Glary Utilities and select “Restore Deleted Files” under the “File Management” section.
3. Choose the drive where your file was located.
4. Start the scan and wait for the results.
5. Browse the list and select the files you want to restore.
6. Click “Restore” and specify a safe destination folder.
Benefits: Glary Utilities offers an intuitive interface, deep scan capabilities, and supports recovery from a variety of storage devices. Its free version is sufficient for many home users.
For Advanced Users:
Experienced users can use Glary Utilities’ advanced scan settings to narrow searches by file type or time frame, increasing the likelihood of a successful recovery.
How Can You Recover from Windows Backups or System Images?
For Beginners:
If you regularly use Windows Backup:
1. Open “Control Panel” > “System and Security” > “Backup and Restore (Windows 7).”
2. Click “Restore my files” and follow the prompts.
3. Choose the backup set and specify the files or folders to recover.
Example: If your computer experiences a hard drive failure, you can restore all files and folders from your backup.
For Advanced Users:
You can mount system images as virtual drives to extract individual files without full restoration:
1. Open “Disk Management.”
2. Attach the system image (VHD or VHDX file).
3. Access the virtual drive in File Explorer and copy out needed files.
What About Recovering Files from Damaged or Corrupted Drives?
For Beginners:
If a drive becomes inaccessible (e.g., “Drive is not accessible. The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable”):
1. Open Glary Utilities.
2. Use the “Disk Repair” tool to attempt to fix errors.
3. Next, use the “Restore Deleted Files” feature as described above to recover files.
For Advanced Users:
For persistent issues, consider running CHKDSK from Command Prompt:
1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type chkdsk X: /f /r (replace “X” with the drive letter).
3. Allow the scan and repair process to complete.
For more granular recovery, advanced users may use specialized tools like TestDisk or R-Studio, but always attempt recovery from a copy of the affected drive to avoid further data loss.
Final Tips for Better File Recovery Success
– Act Quickly: The sooner you attempt recovery after file loss, the higher your chances of success.
– Avoid Writing to the Drive: Don’t save new files or install software on the affected drive.
– Regular Backups: Schedule regular backups using Windows’ built-in tools or third-party utilities.
By mastering these five recovery methods, every Windows user—from novice to power user—can stay prepared to handle unexpected file loss. Glary Utilities stands out as a comprehensive solution, offering not just file recovery but also robust system maintenance features to help you prevent and resolve file-related issues in the future.