File recovery is a crucial skill for advanced Windows users, whether you’re dealing with accidental deletions, system crashes, or corrupted files. This guide provides a detailed exploration of various file recovery methods using Windows tools and supplementary software like Glary Utilities. By following these techniques, you can effectively recover lost or deleted files and maintain data integrity.
What is the First Step in File Recovery?
Before diving into advanced recovery methods, the first step should always be to check the Recycle Bin. It might seem trivial, but many files can often be restored from here with just a few clicks. Simply open the Recycle Bin on your desktop, locate the file, right-click it, and select ‘Restore.’
How to Use File History for Recovery?
File History is a built-in Windows feature that automatically backs up versions of your files. Here’s how to use it:
1. Open ‘Settings’ from the Start menu.
2. Go to ‘Update & Security’ and then ‘Backup.’
3. Ensure ‘Automatically back up my files’ is turned on.
4. To restore a file, type ‘Restore your files with File History’ in the search bar and open it.
5. Navigate through the available backups using the arrow keys, find the required files, and click the green ‘Restore’ button.
What if File History is Not Configured?
If File History wasn’t set up, you’ll need to use System Restore or Previous Versions. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on the folder where the file was located.
2. Select ‘Properties’ and go to the ‘Previous Versions’ tab.
3. Choose the most recent version before the file was deleted and click ‘Restore.’
How to Use Windows Backup for Recovery?
For users who regularly back up their systems:
1. Open the Control Panel and go to ‘System and Security.’
2. Click on ‘Backup and Restore (Windows 7).’
3. Select ‘Restore my files’ and follow the on-screen instructions to restore individual files, folders, or the entire system.
When to Use Command Prompt for Recovery?
For more technical recovery tasks, Command Prompt can be a powerful tool:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Use the ‘chkdsk’ command to repair disk errors that may have caused file loss (e.g., `chkdsk C: /f`).
3. For recovering deleted files, you might attempt using the ‘attrib’ command to change file attributes that may help in recovery, though this is not always guaranteed.
How Can Glary Utilities Aid in File Recovery?
Glary Utilities offers a comprehensive suite of tools beyond what Windows natively provides. Its ‘File Undelete’ feature is particularly powerful:
1. Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
2. Launch the program and navigate to ‘Modules’ > ‘Privacy & Security.’
3. Click on ‘File Undelete.’
4. Select the drive where the files were deleted and click ‘Scan.’
5. Browse the list of recoverable files and choose those you wish to restore.
Glary Utilities also features disk repair tools, registry cleaners, and system optimization functionalities, making it an indispensable application for maintaining your PC’s health and performance.
What Preventative Measures Should be Taken?
Prevention is better than cure. Ensure regular backups using external drives or cloud storage. Utilize Glary Utilities to regularly clean and optimize your system, which can prevent potential data losses due to system failures.
By understanding and using these Windows tools effectively, you can significantly increase your chances of successful file recovery and safeguard your data against future losses.