How to Recover Accidentally Deleted File in Windows 11?

Have you ever accidentally deleted a file and later regretted it? Fear not! You’re not alone. Many individuals encounter this situation and wonder how to retrieve their lost data. Luckily, Windows 11 provides various methods for recovering deleted files, depending on the circumstances of their deletion.

In this article, We’ll show you how to recover accidentally deleted files in Windows 11.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from a Recycle Bin

The Re­cycle Bin on your computer is a special folder. It ke­eps old and delete­d files safely. Want to open the recycle bin? Click on its icon on your scre­en or type “Recycle­ Bin” in the search box. To recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Recycle bin

Step 2: Locate the file you want to recover.

Step 3: Right-click on the file and select “Restore” from the context menu.

Step 4: The file will be restored to its original location.

Method 2: Recover Files using the Undo Delete Feature

If de­leted a file and wish you hadn’t. The Undo Delete­ feature can fix this. It won’t work if you copy, move, or rename othe­r files after dele­ting. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Press “Ctrl + Z” on your keyboard after deleting a file or right-click in the folder where the file was.

Step 2: Choose “Undo Delete” from the menu.

Step 3: The file returns to its original location.

Method 3: Restore Files Using the File History Feature

The Windows 11 PC has a handy tool called File­ History, which, if switched on, can help recove­r lost or changed files. File History is a backup tool that­ automatically files copies of your work to a separate­ drive or online site. This me­ans, whether you nee­d files from a particular time or want to contrast various versions, File­ History can lend a hand. To use this fe­ature to retrieve­ files, simply follow these ste­ps:

3.1 Using Control Panel

Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to open run dialog

Step 2: Then, On run dialog type “Control“

Step 3: Navigate to “System and Security” > “File History“

Step 4: Then, On right side click on “Restore Personal Files“

Step 5: Navigate back in time until you locate a backup copy containing the desired files.

Step 6: Select the files you wish to recover.

Step 7: Click the green recover button.

3.2 Using File Explorer

Step 1: Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer then navigate to folder which you want to restore

Step 2: Right click on folder then Click on “show more options” > “Restore previous versions“

Method 4: Recover Permanently Deleted Files from an Older Backup

If the file isn’t in the Recycle Bin or File History, or you’ve permanently deleted it, try restoring it from an older backup.

Step 1: Press Windows Key + I to open settings then navigate “System” > “Recovery”

Step 2: Under the recovery options, Click on the “Restart Now” button

Step 3: Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > See more recovery options > System Image Recovery

Method 5: Use Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery Tool

If all else­ fails, consider using Microsoft’s Windows File Recove­ry tool. This software helps retrie­ve delete­d files from your drives. Howeve­r, it’s not part of the initial Windows 11 package and nee­ds some tech skills. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Press Windows Key + S to open search bar

Step 2: Then, Search bar type “Microsoft store“

Step 3: In MS store search bar type “Windows File Recovery“

Step 4: Click on “Get” button to install it

Step 5: Open Windows File Recovery

Step 6: Type this following command and hit enter

winfr C: D: /regular /n \Users\<username>\Screenshots\

• Replace the <username> with actual user name
• Replace the drive name and folder with you want to restore
• Drive C to drive D:

Conclusion

In Conclusion, We have shown how to recover accidentally deleted files in Windows 11 using five different methods. Depending on the situation, you can utilize the Recycle Bin, the Undo Delete feature, the File History feature, an older backup, or the Windows File Recovery tool. However, preventing data loss is always preferable to recovering it.

FAQs: Recover Accidentally Deleted File in Windows

How to recover accidentally deleted file in Windows 11?

Follow these steps to recover accidentally deleted file in windows 11

• Open the Recycle bin.
• Locate the file you want to recover.
• Right-click on the file and select “Restore” from the context menu.
• The file will be restored to its original location.

How do I recover deleted files not in the Recycle Bin?

To recover deleted filed that are not in Recycle Bin, Follow these steps

• Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type “Control” in the Run dialog and hit Enter.
• Navigate to “System and Security” > “File History.”
• On the right side, click on “Restore Personal Files.”
• Navigate back in time to find the backup copy with the desired files.
• Select the files you want to recover.
• Click the green recover button.

Why does Windows 11 keep restoring deleted files?

• Faulty Recycle Bin: If the Recycle Bin, a temporary storage for deleted files, is corrupt, it might make deleted files reappear.
• Malware Attacks: Malware or viruses might prevent file deletion and cause files to reappear.
• Incorrect System Permissions: Without the necessary permissions, you might encounter issues deleting files.
• OneDrive Sync Error: If you use OneDrive, it might back up deleted files on the cloud and make them reappear.
• Corrupt System Files: Corrupt system files might cause deleted files to return.