Losing important files can be frustrating, but Windows 10 offers several built-in recovery methods that help you retrieve accidentally deleted or lost files. For intermediate users, understanding and optimizing these file recovery techniques ensures you can act fast and recover your data efficiently. This guide provides step-by-step instructions and practical examples on using Windows 10 file recovery features, as well as how to further optimize your recovery process with tools like Glary Utilities.
What Should You Do Immediately After File Loss?
If you notice a file is missing or accidentally deleted, follow these initial steps:
1. Stop using the affected drive: Minimize writing new files to the drive where the data loss occurred. This prevents overwriting the lost data, increasing your recovery chances.
2. Check the Recycle Bin: Many deleted files are first sent to the Recycle Bin. Double-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop. If your file is there, right-click it and select “Restore”.
How to Use Windows File History for Recovery
File History is a built-in Windows 10 feature that backs up files in user folders (Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, Desktop) to another drive.
1. Open the folder where the missing file was last located.
2. Click the “Home” tab in File Explorer.
3. Select “History” from the ribbon. This opens File History and displays available versions.
4. Browse through the file versions using the arrows.
5. Select the version you want to restore and click the green “Restore” button.
Note: File History must be enabled before the file was deleted for this method to work. To set it up for the future, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Add a drive.
Can You Recover Files Using Previous Versions?
Windows 10 creates “Previous Versions” of files and folders as part of System Restore or File History.
1. Right-click the folder where the file was located.
2. Choose “Restore previous versions”.
3. Browse the list of available versions. Select one and click “Open” to inspect its contents.
4. If you find your file, select “Restore” to bring back the folder to that state or copy the file to a new location.
What About OneDrive and Cloud Backups?
If you use OneDrive or another cloud storage solution, deleted files often go to the cloud’s Recycle Bin.
1. Log into your OneDrive account online.
2. Navigate to the “Recycle bin” section.
3. Select the file you want to recover and choose “Restore”.
This approach is best if your files are synced with the cloud.
How Can Glary Utilities Improve File Recovery?
While Windows offers native tools, Glary Utilities can further optimize your file recovery workflow. Glary Utilities includes an easy-to-use “File Undelete” tool, which scans your drives for recoverable files, even after emptying the Recycle Bin.
Steps to recover files with Glary Utilities:
1. Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
2. Open the program and select “Advanced Tools”.
3. Click on “Privacy & Security” and choose “File Undelete”.
4. Select the drive you want to scan for deleted files.
5. Click “Search”. The tool will display a list of recoverable files.
6. Browse the results, select the files you wish to restore, and click “Restore” to save them to a secure location.
Benefits of using Glary Utilities:
– Deep scan capability increases the chance of retrieving long-lost files.
– Easy-to-navigate interface suitable for intermediate users.
– Additional features for managing disk health and preventing future data loss.
How to Prevent Future Data Loss
After recovering your files, take steps to avoid future mishaps:
– Regularly back up important folders using File History or Glary Utilities’ backup tools.
– Set up cloud synchronization with OneDrive for automatic offsite backups.
– Use Glary Utilities to schedule regular scans and maintenance, which helps identify disk issues before they result in data loss.
Summary
Effective file recovery in Windows 10 involves acting quickly and using the right tools. Start with built-in features like the Recycle Bin, File History, and Previous Versions. For deeper recovery and optimization, Glary Utilities offers user-friendly, powerful options to recover lost files and maintain your system. By following these methods and regularly backing up your data, you can minimize the risk of permanent file loss and keep your Windows 10 experience stress-free.