Losing files on Windows PCs can be a distressful experience, especially when they are permanently deleted. Such data loss instances can occur due to accidental deletion, drive formatting, system errors, etc. Luckily, there are several easy Windows data recovery methods available online that you can try to restore your deleted data, but if these files get permanently deleted, you need to apply advanced recovery methods. “Permanent Deletion” refers to files deleted from the Recycle Bin or when the files are deleted using the “Shift + Delete” command.
In such cases, your files will be permanently removed from your device and may appear as if they are lost forever, bypassing the Recycle Bin. Recovery might be complex in such cases, but not impossible at all. You can use professional Windows data recovery software or manual workarounds to get your deleted files back. In this article, we will explore the best ways to recover permanently deleted files on Windows, covering both built-in Windows tools and third-party solutions.
What Causes Permanent Deletion of Files on Windows?
Permanent deletion of files on Windows generally occurs when data is deleted bypassing the Recycle Bin or is emptied from it. Before you apply methods to restore permanently deleted files on your PC, it is important to find an adequate reason for the same. Some most common causes are:
- Shift + Delete Command: When you delete any file using the Shift + Delete keyboard combination, the file is immediately removed from the system without being sent to the Recycle Bin.
- Emptying the Recycle Bin: When you delete files from the Recycle Bin, either accidentally or intentionally, those files get permanently deleted from the system.
- Use of Command Line Tools: Some advanced users use command-line tools like del, rmdir, or erase in Command Prompt or PowerShell, which lead to the deletion of files and directories.
- Third-Party Applications: Many third-party applications, especially those dealing with file management, backup, antivirus scanning, or disk space optimization, sometimes delete files permanently on your device.
Quick Methods to Recover Permanently Deleted Files
Irrespective of the above causes, there are several Windows data recovery software tools and manual workarounds available online that you can try to restore your lost files. Just go with these methods one-by-one to get your files back:
Method 01: Recover Permanently Deleted Files Using Windows Data Recovery Software
Let’s start with the simplest method first! There are several third-party Windows data recovery software tools available online for easy and quick recovery of lost files. So if you are looking for the easiest approach, try using professional data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Standard to get your files back. This all-in-one Windows data recovery software offers several amazing features to ensure the highest success rate without fail.
Key Features of Stellar Data Recovery Standard Tool:
- Recover deleted data of multiple types, including photos, videos, documents, emails, and more.
- Supports recovery of files deleted due to accidental deletion, formatting, virus attacks, or any other reason.
- Can recover your deleted files stored on computers, mobile phones, SD cards, HDD cards and other internal/external storage media.
- Advanced algorithms ensure a high success rate.
- Allows you to preview the recoverable files after completion of your storage scanning.
- 100% safe to use, with no risk of data damage and leakage.
3 Steps to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Windows with Stellar Data Recovery Standard:
Step 1: After downloading and installing the Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool on your Windows PC, launch it. From the homepage, select the type of file you need to restore and click Next.
Step 2: Now, choose the storage location where your deleted files were earlier stored and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.
Step 3: Once the scan is completed, preview the recoverable files and choose the ones you need to restore. Click the Recover button to save selected files at the desired location.
Method 02: Recover Files from Previous Versions
Windows in-built backup utilities like File History or Previous Versions automatically create a backup of your files and allow you to restore them, when data loss occurs. If you have enabled these backup features on your Windows device, it will save backups of your files at different points in time. To recover your lost files from Previous Versions, you need to:
- Firstly, go to the folder where the file was stored before deletion.
- Right-click on that folder and select Restore Previous Versions from the context menu that appears.
- This will display a list of all available previous versions (if available). Choose the version that contains the file you need.
- Click Restore to recover the file to its original location.
Method 03: Use Windows File History Backups
If you have set up the File History backup option on your Windows PC, you might be able to restore permanently deleted files through this feature. All you have to do is:
- Type CP in the search box of your device and press the Enter key to launch the Control Panel.
- Now, click on System and Security, then tap Restore your files with File History.
- Go through the folders and select the deleted files you need to restore.
- Right-click on the green button and select the Restore or Restore to option to save selected files at their original or desired location on your device.
Note that this method only works if you have enabled the File History option on your device before the file deletion.
Method 04: Restore Files from Cloud Backups
Another backup alternative that you can try to recover permanently deleted files on Windows PC is via cloud backups. If you store your files in cloud services like Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, you can use these options to easily recover lost or deleted files. Here are simple steps to recover lost files using Google Drive backups:
- Launch any web browser and go to Google Drive.
- Now, log in with your Google account credentials.
- Click the Trash (or Bin in some regions) folder and go through a list of deleted files.
- Right-click on the file that you need to recover.
- Select the Restore button to save the recovered file to its original location in your Drive.
Preventive Tips to Avoid Future Data Loss
Though the above Windows data recovery methods to recover permanently deleted files on Windows are quite easy to implement, it’s a good idea to take steps to prevent it from happening again. Here are some effective strategies:
- Enable File History or Backup: Make sure that you have enabled File History or a backup system on your device to create automatic backups of your files at regular intervals.
- Use Cloud Storage: Along with Windows built-in backup utilities, you can consider cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox to store important files.
- Be Cautious with Deletion: Before you delete files using the “Shift + Delete” command, make sure that the file is truly expendable. Double-check your actions, and consider enabling “Confirm File Delete” prompts in your settings.
Wrapping Up
When you encounter issues like permanent deletion of files on your Windows PC, don’t lose hope as it’s not necessarily the end of the road. With a combination of built-in Windows features and third-party Windows data recovery software, you can often recover deleted files. By taking the right steps immediately after deletion and adopting preventive measures, you can minimize the risk of permanent data loss in the future. Always make a habit of creating regular backups of your important files on external storage drives or cloud backups to easily restore files in case of unexpected data loss.
