Have you ever accidentally deleted an important file from your laptop? Don’t panic! There are several ways to recover deleted files on your laptop. In this article, we will discuss four methods to restore deleted files on a laptop.
Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin
The first thing you should do when you realize that a file was deleted is to check the Recycle Bin. When you delete a file from your laptop, it goes to the Recycle Bin before it is permanently deleted. To check the Recycle Bin, follow these steps:
Step 1: Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop
Step 2: Look for the deleted file. If you find it, right-click on it and select Restore.
If you can’t find the file in the Recycle Bin, don’t worry. There are other ways to recover deleted files on a laptop.
Method 2: Use File History in Windows 10
If you have Windows 10, you can use File History to recover deleted files. File History is a built-in backup feature that automatically saves copies of your files to an external hard drive or a network drive. Here’s how to use File History:
Step 1: Connect the external hard drive or network drive that you used to back up your files.
Step 2: Click on the Start button and select Settings.
Step 3: Click on Update & Security and then click on Backup.
Step 4: Click on More options to see the backup options.
Step 5: Under “Restore files from a current backup,” select the external hard drive or network drive that you used to back up your files.
Step 6: Find the deleted file in the folder that it was originally located in and copy it to your laptop.
If you don’t have an external hard drive or a network drive to back up your files, you can use a data recovery software to recover deleted files on your laptop.
Method 3: Use a Data Recovery Software
There are many data recovery software available on the internet that can help you recover deleted files on your laptop. These software scan your laptop’s hard drive for deleted files and allow you to recover them. Some popular data recovery software are:
1. Recuva
Recuva is a free data recovery software that can recover deleted files from your laptop’s hard drive, memory card, or USB drive. It has an easy-to-use interface and is available for Windows.
2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a powerful data recovery software that can recover deleted files from your laptop’s hard drive, external hard drive, memory card, USB drive, or other storage devices. It has a simple interface and is available for Windows and Mac.
3. Stellar Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery is a popular data recovery software that can recover deleted files from your laptop’s hard drive, SSD, memory card, USB drive, or other storage devices. It has a user-friendly interface and is available for Windows and Mac.
When using data recovery software, it is important to note that the chances of recovering deleted files depend on how long ago the files were deleted and whether the hard drive has been overwritten with new data. So, it is important to act fast and stop using the laptop immediately after realizing that a file was deleted.
Method 4: Restore from Backup
If you have a backup of your files, you can easily restore the deleted file. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Connect the external hard drive or network drive that you used to back up your files.
Step 2: Open the backup folder and find the deleted file.
Step 3: Copy the file to your laptop.
If you don’t have a backup of your files, it is recommended that you start backing up your files regularly to prevent data loss.
FAQ
Q: Can I recover a permanently deleted file?
A: It is possible to recover a permanently deleted file using data recovery software. However, the chances of recovery depend on how long ago the file was deleted and whether the hard drive has been overwritten with new data.
Q: How often should I back up my files?
A: It is recommended that you back up your files regularly, at least once a week. If you work with important data on a daily basis, you should consider backing up your files daily or even multiple times a day.
Video
Check out this video for more information on how to recover deleted files on your laptop.
Conclusion
Accidentally deleting an important file from your laptop can be a frustrating experience, but it’s not the end of the world. With the methods discussed in this article, you have a good chance of recovering deleted files on your laptop. Remember to check the Recycle Bin first, use File History if you have Windows 10, try data recovery software, and always back up your files to prevent data loss.
