Deleting a file by mistake is quite common, and we have all been there at some point in our lives. Whether it was an important file or a photo, we all know how frustrating it is to lose something that we worked hard on and cherish. Fortunately, there are ways to recover deleted files from your laptop, which we will discuss in this blog post.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the methods to recover deleted files, here are a few things you need:
- A laptop
- Internet connection
- File recovery software
- A USB drive or external hard drive to save recovered files
What Requires Your Focus?
When you realize you have accidentally deleted a critical file, the first thing you will need to do is focus and stay calm. Panicking can lead to further damage as you may end up accidentally writing over the deleted files and making them more difficult to recover. You will also need to stop using your laptop immediately as the computer’s operating system continuously writes and deletes files. If you continue to operate your laptop, you run the risk of writing over the deleted data, making it much harder to recover.
Different Methods to Recover Deleted Files from My Laptop
Method 1: Using File History on Windows 10
File History is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that automatically backs up files to an external drive or network location. Here are the details on how to recover deleted files using File History:
- Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner and search for ‘File History.’
- Select the ‘File History Settings’ option and scroll down to the ‘Restore files from a current backup’ section.
- Select the files you want to restore and then click on the ‘Restore’ button.
- The selected files will now be restored to their original location on your laptop.
Pros:
- File History is a built-in feature in Windows 10, meaning there’s no need to download additional software.
- If you have this feature enabled on your laptop, it will automatically save versions of files you have been working on, which can be beneficial for accidental deletion or data loss.
Cons:
- It requires you to have enabled File History on your laptop before the data loss or the accidental deletion occurred.
- File History may not save all the deleted files if it’s been a long time since the last backup was performed.
Method 2: Using Recuva Software
Recuva is a free file recovery software that is available for download from the internet. It can recover deleted files from your laptop’s hard drive, USB drive, or even your camera’s memory card. Here is how to use Recuva to recover deleted files:
- Download and install Recuva software on your laptop.
- Launch the software and select the type of file you want to recover ( e.g. pictures, documents, videos, etc.).
- Select the location of where the file was deleted from.
- Click on the ‘Scan’ button, which will start scanning for the deleted files.
- Select the files you want to recover and click on the ‘Recover’ button.
- Select the destination drive you want to save the recovered files.
- The selected files will now be restored to the selected location.
Pros:
- Recuva is free to download and use.
- It can recover deleted files from various external devices, not just your laptop’s hard drive.
- The software provides an option to preview files before recovery.
Cons:
- Recuva may take a long time to scan if you have many large deleted files.
- It may not recover all deleted files if they have been too damaged or overwritten.
Method 3: Using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a reliable, user-friendly data recovery software that can help you recover deleted files from your laptop or other storage devices. Here’s how you can recover deleted files using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard:
- Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on your laptop.
- Launch the software and select the drive location from where the files were deleted.
- Click on the ‘Scan’ button, which will start scanning for the deleted files.
- Select the files you want to recover and click on the ‘Recover’ button.
- Select the destination drive you want to save the recovered files.
- The selected files will now be restored to the selected location.
Pros:
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can recover deleted files from a wide range of device types, including laptops, external hard drives, and USB drives.
- The software allows you to preview files before recovery.
- The recovery process is quick and straightforward.
Cons:
- Though the free version allows you to recover deleted files, it caps the amount of data that can be recovered up to 2 GB.
- The software must be downloaded and installed, which could be a problem if you don’t have another device available to download it to.
Why Can’t I Recover My Deleted Files?
There are several reasons you may not be able to recover your deleted files. Here are some possible reasons and how to address them:
Reason 1: You have waited too long to try to recover the deleted files
The operating system continuously writes over deleted data, so if it’s been a long time since the deletion happened, overwriting is inevitable, and some data may be impossible to recover.
Fix:
Don’t wait any longer. The sooner you try to recover the files, the more likely they are that they can be restored.
Reason 2: The deleted files are too damaged that they cannot be recovered
If the files have been overwritten numerous times, they may be too damaged to be recovered.
Fix:
Your only solution is to consider file recovery professionals.
Reason 3: You have not enabled backup or data recovery software before the deletion of the file
If you did not enable any backup or recovery software before the deletion of the file, you have a low chance of restoring files compared to using such software.
Fix:
To protect against future data loss, consider using backup or file recovery software.
Implications and Recommendations
Deleting files by accident is frustrating but not uncommon. The good news is that it is often possible to recover deleted files. However, it is vital to remember that deleted files can be lost if you continue to use your laptop after deleting them. You must stop using your laptop immediately. It’s best to make use of backup or file recovery software to recover files that have been accidentally deleted. We recommend being cautious when entering sensitive data and that you regularly back up important files to prevent data loss.
5 FAQs about Recovering Deleted Files from My Laptop
Q1. How long does it take to recover deleted files using data recovery software?
A1. The amount of time it takes to recover deleted files using data recovery software depends on various factors like the size of the deleted files, the speed of your laptop’s hard drive, and the effectiveness of the software. In general, most software will recover files within an hour.
Q2. Can I recover permanently deleted files?
A2. It’s unlikely to recover files that have been permanently deleted, but it’s best to try backup or data recovery software in such a case.
Q3. Is it safe to use data recovery software on my laptop?
A3. Yes, it’s generally safe to use data recovery software on your laptop. However, you must ensure that you have downloaded reputable software from a trusted source to avoid downloading malware.
Q4. What is the difference between file recovery software and backup software?
A4. Backup software is designed to create copies or backups of your data, while file recovery software is designed to retrieve data that has been lost or deleted. You must have backup software installed so that you need not use file recovery software in the future.
Q5. Can I recover deleted files from a formatted laptop?
A5. It is often possible to recover files from a formatted laptop using data recovery software. However, if you have overwritten the data with new information, it may be impossible to recover the deleted files.
In Conclusion
There you have it, three simple ways to recover deleted files from your laptop. No matter which method you choose, we recommend that you act quickly to make sure you have the best possible chance of recovering your files. Remember, the best way to protect against future data loss is to frequently back up your critical data and be cautious when entering sensitive information.