Recovering lost files in Windows 10 and 11 can be stressful, especially when important documents, photos, or work data suddenly vanish. While both operating systems offer built-in recovery options, many users make mistakes during the process that reduce the chances of successful recovery. Understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing what steps to take.
This guide explains common mistakes to avoid, along with practical recovery methods for both beginners and advanced users. By focusing on real-world examples, you’ll see how to troubleshoot file recovery like a professional.
Why do files get lost in the first place?
Files can disappear for several reasons: accidental deletion, formatting a drive, corruption from malware, or hardware failures like bad sectors. In many cases, the files are not immediately destroyed. Instead, their storage space is marked as available for new data. This means your actions after losing a file determine whether recovery is possible.
Beginner mistakes to avoid when recovering files
1. Continuing to use the same drive
When a file is deleted, Windows does not erase it instantly; it simply marks its space as reusable. Opening new applications, downloading files, or transferring data onto the same drive risks overwriting the old file. For example, if you delete a Word document from your desktop and then install a new program, the installation files might take over the space where your document was stored. To avoid this, stop using the affected drive immediately.
2. Ignoring the Recycle Bin
Many users panic and jump to third-party tools without first checking the Recycle Bin. Deleted files often remain there until the bin is emptied. For instance, dragging a folder into the Recycle Bin by mistake can be quickly undone by right-clicking it and selecting “Restore.” Always check this first before more advanced steps.
3. Forgetting about File History or Backup
Windows includes File History (when enabled), which automatically saves file versions. Beginners often overlook this and assume the file is gone forever. In reality, you can restore a previous version by right-clicking the parent folder, selecting “Properties,” and then opening the “Previous Versions” tab. If File History was active, your file may be just a few clicks away.
4. Emptying the Recycle Bin without a plan
Emptying the Recycle Bin is sometimes done out of habit, but doing so right after deleting files makes recovery harder. If this happens, avoid writing anything new to the disk before trying recovery software.
Advanced mistakes to avoid when recovering files
1. Recovering directly to the same drive
Even advanced users sometimes forget that saving recovered data back to the same partition can overwrite other recoverable files. Always save recovered files to a different drive or an external USB device.
2. Overusing free recovery tools
Free recovery tools can be useful but often lack deep scanning abilities or safe recovery practices. Running multiple tools in succession increases the risk of corruption. For example, running three different recovery programs back-to-back on a formatted drive can scatter and damage recoverable fragments. Choose one reliable tool and stick with it.
3. Overlooking disk health before recovery
Attempting to recover from a physically failing drive without checking its health can worsen the damage. If a drive is making strange noises, performing a full recovery scan may push it past repair. Advanced users should first run CHKDSK or use drive monitoring tools to assess stability before attempting recovery.
4. Skipping comprehensive utilities for long-term prevention
Experienced users sometimes focus only on recovery instead of prevention. Tools like Glary Utilities offer features such as file shredding (to prevent sensitive data leaks), disk cleanup (to reduce clutter that complicates recovery), and file undelete functions that can catch accidental deletions before they become serious. Relying on such utilities not only improves recovery chances but also helps maintain overall system health.
Practical recovery methods for beginners
– Step 1: Check the Recycle Bin and restore the file if available.
– Step 2: Use the “Search” function in File Explorer to ensure the file has not been accidentally moved.
– Step 3: Open the parent folder, right-click it, and use “Properties > Previous Versions” to restore from File History if enabled.
– Step 4: If none of these work, use the File Undelete feature in Glary Utilities. This tool scans your system for recently deleted files and provides a simple restore option.
Practical recovery methods for advanced users
– Step 1: Determine the file system type (NTFS, FAT32, etc.) to select the correct recovery method.
– Step 2: Run CHKDSK to ensure the drive structure is stable before performing recovery.
– Step 3: Use advanced recovery software with deep scan options for formatted drives or partitions.
– Step 4: Save recovered files only to a separate drive, external hard disk, or cloud storage to reduce overwrite risks.
– Step 5: Once recovery is complete, use Glary Utilities to clean unnecessary temp files, fix registry issues, and optimize startup entries to reduce future errors that may lead to file loss.
Real-world example of a recovery situation
Imagine a user who accidentally deletes a presentation from the desktop before a meeting. The user empties the Recycle Bin out of routine, making simple recovery impossible. Instead of downloading multiple recovery apps in a panic, the user installs Glary Utilities on a separate USB drive, runs the File Undelete tool, and restores the missing file to an external storage device. By avoiding overwriting the main drive, the recovery succeeds.
Conclusion
File recovery in Windows 10 and 11 is often less about technical limitations and more about avoiding mistakes that reduce your chances of success. Beginners benefit from built-in options like Recycle Bin, File History, and simple undelete functions, while advanced users must balance technical precision with careful drive handling. Using a reliable maintenance utility such as Glary Utilities helps ensure smoother recovery processes and prevents future file loss by keeping the system in optimal condition. By avoiding the common pitfalls outlined above, you can troubleshoot file recovery like a professional and protect your data more effectively.