Recovering lost or deleted files on Windows 10 and 11 can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never had to do it before. However, understanding various file recovery methods and optimizing your approach can significantly increase your chances of success. Below, you’ll find ten practical ways to improve your file recovery methods, with clear steps and tips tailored for both beginners and advanced users.
1. Check the Recycle Bin First
Beginner Steps:
– Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
– Browse through the list to find your deleted files.
– Right-click the file you want to restore and select “Restore.”
Real-World Example: If you accidentally deleted a document, it usually goes directly to the Recycle Bin, making this the quickest recovery option.
Advanced Tip: Use the search bar within the Recycle Bin to quickly find files by name if the list is long.
2. Enable and Use File History
Beginner Steps:
– Open Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
– Click “Add a drive” and select an external drive or network location.
– Turn on “Automatically back up my files.”
– To restore, go to Control Panel > File History > Restore personal files.
Real-World Example: If you overwrite or lose a version of a file, you can quickly restore a previous copy from File History.
Advanced Tip: Schedule frequent backups and include critical folders manually for more control.
3. Restore Previous Versions
Beginner Steps:
– Right-click the folder where the lost file was located.
– Select “Restore previous versions.”
– Choose a version from the list and click “Restore.”
Real-World Example: If you edited a file and need an earlier version, this feature can help you roll back changes.
Advanced Tip: Enable System Protection on your drives to ensure there are regular restore points.
4. Use Glary Utilities for File Recovery
Beginner Steps:
– Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
– Open the program and select “File Recovery” from the main menu.
– Select the drive to scan, then review the list of recoverable files.
– Check the files you want and click “Restore.”
Glary Utilities Benefit: This tool simplifies the recovery process and increases your chances of restoring files lost due to deletion or formatting.
Advanced Tip: Use Glary Utilities’ deep scan mode for drives that have been formatted or severely damaged.
5. Try Windows File Recovery Tool
Beginner Steps:
– Download “Windows File Recovery” from the Microsoft Store.
– Open Command Prompt as administrator.
– Run the tool using a command like: winfr C: D:\RecoveredFiles /n \Users\YourName\Documents\file.docx
Real-World Example: Recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin or after formatting a drive.
Advanced Tip: Use different modes (Default, Segment, Signature) for more complex recovery scenarios.
6. Stop Using the Drive Immediately
Beginner Steps:
– If you notice a file is missing, avoid saving new data to that drive.
– This prevents overwriting the deleted file, increasing the chance of successful recovery.
Real-World Example: If you delete a photo from your Downloads folder, don’t download anything else until you attempt recovery.
Advanced Tip: Disconnect the drive and connect it to another computer as a secondary drive for recovery.
7. Check Cloud Backups (OneDrive or Google Drive)
Beginner Steps:
– If your files sync with a cloud service, visit their web interface.
– Check the “Recycle Bin” or “Trash” section on OneDrive or Google Drive.
– Restore the file from there.
Real-World Example: If you accidentally delete a file synced to OneDrive, it may be recoverable from the cloud’s own trash bin.
Advanced Tip: Enable version history in cloud services for extra protection against accidental changes.
8. Utilize System Restore Points
Beginner Steps:
– Search “Create a restore point” in the Start menu.
– Click “System Restore” and follow the prompts to revert the system to a previous state.
Real-World Example: If file loss accompanies other system changes, a restore point may bring back both files and system stability.
Advanced Tip: Regularly create manual restore points before major changes or updates.
9. Use Third-Party Recovery Tools for Advanced Scenarios
For Advanced Users:
– Investigate tools like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill for specialized recovery needs.
– Install to a different drive than the one you are recovering from to avoid overwriting data.
– Use their deep scan or raw recovery features for formatted or corrupted drives.
Benefit: Third-party tools often detect files that built-in solutions miss.
10. Establish a Regular Backup Routine
Beginner Steps:
– Use Windows’ built-in backup features or reliable third-party tools like Glary Utilities to schedule regular backups to an external drive or cloud.
Real-World Example: Regular backups mean you’re always prepared for accidental deletions or hardware failures.
Advanced Tip: Use a 3-2-1 backup strategy: three copies of your data, two different media types, one offsite backup.
Conclusion
Improving your file recovery methods requires both prevention and knowledge of available recovery tools. Beginners can rely on built-in features like Recycle Bin, File History, and cloud backups, while advanced users can benefit from specialized utilities such as Glary Utilities and dedicated recovery software. Remember, acting quickly and avoiding disk usage after file deletion are crucial steps for successful recovery. With these ten strategies, you can handle file loss confidently and minimize the risk of permanent data loss on Windows 10 and 11.