Losing important files can be a frustrating experience, but fortunately, there are several methods to recover them on a Windows system. Whether the deletion was accidental or due to a system malfunction, this guide will provide you with practical steps to retrieve your files.
1. Check the Recycle Bin
The first place to check is the Recycle Bin, as deleted files often end up here and can be easily restored.
– Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop to open it.
– Browse through the items or use the search bar to locate the file you need.
– Once found, right-click on the file and select “Restore.” This will return the file to its original location.
2. Utilize File History Backup
File History is a Windows feature that automatically backs up files. If you have enabled this feature, you can recover previous versions of files.
– Type “File History” into the Windows search bar and select “Restore your files with File History.”
– Browse through the available backups to find the file you need.
– Select the file and click the green button to restore it to its original location.
3. Use Previous Versions
Windows can save previous versions of files and folders. This is particularly useful for retrieving older versions of a file you have modified.
– Navigate to the folder where the file was originally located.
– Right-click on the folder and select “Restore previous versions.”
– A list of available versions will appear. Select the version you need and click “Restore.”
4. Third-Party Recovery Software
If the above methods do not work, you may need to use third-party recovery software. Glary Utilities offers a convenient and effective tool for this purpose.
– Download and install Glary Utilities from its official website.
– Open Glary Utilities and navigate to “Modules” then click “Privacy & Security.”
– Select “File Undelete” to open the recovery tool.
– Choose the drive where the lost file was located and click “Scan.”
– The software will display a list of recoverable files. Browse through the list to locate your file.
– Select the file and click “Restore” to recover it.
Glary Utilities is particularly useful because it offers a user-friendly interface and a robust scanning mechanism to recover files that other methods may miss. Moreover, it supports various file formats, ensuring comprehensive recovery options.
5. Seek Professional Help
If the file is still not recoverable, consider seeking professional data recovery services. This option can be expensive but is worth considering if the file is particularly important.
Prevent Future File Loss
To avoid similar situations in the future, consider the following preventive measures:
– Regularly back up your files using external hard drives or cloud storage services.
– Enable Windows File History for continuous backup.
– Use Glary Utilities to optimize and clean your system regularly, which can help in reducing system errors leading to data loss.
By following these steps, Windows users can efficiently recover lost files and take preventive measures to secure their data in the future.