Recovering lost or corrupted files in Windows 11 can be challenging, especially when standard methods fall short. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted a document, experienced a system crash, or are dealing with file system corruption, Windows 11 offers multiple avenues for file recovery. This guide explores advanced repair file recovery methods, equipping both beginners and advanced users with practical tools and step-by-step instructions to rescue important files and folders.
Where Should You Start if You’ve Lost or Corrupted Files?
Always begin with the least invasive methods—such as checking the Recycle Bin or restoring previous versions—before moving to advanced recovery or repair techniques. Acting quickly increases the chances of success because overwritten files are harder to recover.
Beginner Section: Easy File Recovery Options
How Can You Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin?
1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
2. Browse for the deleted file or folder.
3. Right-click the file and select “Restore.”
Recovered files return to their original location.
How Can You Restore Previous Versions of Files and Folders?
1. Navigate to the file or folder’s parent folder in File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the file or folder and choose “Restore previous versions.”
3. Select the desired version from the list and click “Restore.”
This feature works if you have File History or System Protection enabled.
What If You Need a Comprehensive Tool for Recovery?
Glary Utilities offers a user-friendly “File Undelete” tool that scans your drives for recoverable files. Beginners can simply:
1. Install and open Glary Utilities.
2. Go to “Advanced Tools” and select “File Undelete.”
3. Choose the drive to scan and click “Search.”
4. Select desired files and click “Restore.”
Advanced Section: Repair and Recover Corrupted Files
What If Files Are Missing or Corrupted? How Do You Use Windows Native Tools?
Method 1: Using Windows File Recovery Tool
Windows File Recovery (a Microsoft command-line app) can restore deleted files from local storage. Here’s how advanced users can utilize it:
1. Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
3. Use the syntax:
winfr source-drive: destination-folder /mode /switches
For example, to recover JPEGs from D: to E: in regular mode:
winfr D: E:\Recovery /n *.jpg
Modes and switches let you customize searches by file type, path, and recovery mode (Regular or Extensive for formatted/corrupted drives).
Method 2: Repairing Corrupted System Files with SFC and DISM
If system file corruption is causing problems (files opening incorrectly, system instability):
1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run:
sfc /scannow
This checks and repairs system files.
3. For deeper repair, run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
This command repairs the Windows system image, which may resolve file corruption issues.
Method 3: Checking File System Integrity with CHKDSK
Corrupted files may result from faulty disk sectors or file system errors.
1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run:
chkdsk C: /f /r
Replace “C:” with your drive letter. This scans and attempts to fix errors.
How Can You Recover from Hidden or Protected System Folders?
Some files may be located in hidden or system-protected folders. To access these:
1. Open File Explorer.
2. Go to View > Show > Hidden items.
3. Access “C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData” or system folders.
Always be cautious when manipulating system files.
How Does Glary Utilities Help with Advanced Recovery Tasks?
Glary Utilities goes beyond simple undelete functions. For advanced users:
– “File Undelete” can recover files bypassing the Recycle Bin or from formatted drives.
– “Disk Repair” scans for disk errors, helping prevent further data loss.
– “Duplicate File Finder” helps clean up after recovery, removing unnecessary recovered duplicates.
– “System File Checker” integration allows easy access to SFC and DISM tools via a graphical interface.
Real-World Example: Recovering a Corrupted Excel Document
Suppose you have a corrupted Excel file that won’t open:
1. Try opening the file in Excel and use “Open and Repair” (File > Open > Browse > select file > arrow next to Open > Open and Repair).
2. If this fails, use Glary Utilities “File Undelete” to recover an older version from the disk.
3. Restore previous versions via File Explorer as described above.
4. If the file still isn’t recoverable, scan your drive with Windows File Recovery using wildcards for Excel files (*.xlsx).
Tips for Maximizing File Recovery Success
– Stop writing new data to the affected drive to prevent overwriting lost files.
– Use recovery tools as soon as possible.
– Regularly back up important data using Windows Backup & Restore or cloud services.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
If built-in and third-party recovery tools fail, or if the drive has hardware issues (unusual noises or failure to mount), consult a professional data recovery service.
Conclusion
Repair file recovery in Windows 11 is achievable with a combination of built-in utilities, third-party tools like Glary Utilities, and advanced command-line applications. Beginners benefit from graphical tools and simple wizards, while advanced users can leverage command-line utilities and system repair tools for deeper recovery. Acting quickly and following structured recovery steps greatly increases your chance of retrieving lost or corrupted files. Regular maintenance and backups are the best prevention against future data loss.