How to Restore Files Deleted from Recycle Bin
Losing important files can be a distressing experience, especially when they are mistakenly deleted from the recycle bin. The recycle bin acts as a temporary storage for deleted files, but it is not a permanent solution. If you have deleted files from the recycle bin and want to restore them, there are several methods you can try. In this article, we will discuss various ways to restore files deleted from the recycle bin and provide you with step-by-step instructions to recover your lost data.
1. Check the Recycle Bin
The first and simplest step to restore deleted files is to check the recycle bin. Sometimes, files may not be completely deleted and can still be found in the recycle bin. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the recycle bin by double-clicking on its icon on the desktop.
2. Look for the deleted files in the recycle bin.
3. Right-click on the file you want to restore and select “Restore.”
4. The file will be restored to its original location on the computer.
2. Use File History
If you have enabled the File History feature on your Windows computer, you can use it to restore deleted files from the recycle bin. File History creates regular backups of your files, allowing you to restore them to any point in time. Here’s how to use File History:
1. Open the File History settings by searching for “File History” in the Start menu.
2. Make sure that File History is enabled and connected to an external drive or network location.
3. In the File History window, click on “Restore files from a previous restore point.”
4. Select the restore point that contains the deleted files and click “Next.”
5. Choose the files you want to restore and click “Restore.”
3. Use a File Recovery Tool
If the above methods do not work, you can try using a file recovery tool to restore deleted files from the recycle bin. There are many reliable file recovery tools available, such as Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Stellar Data Recovery. Here’s how to use Recuva as an example:
1. Download and install Recuva from the official website.
2. Run the program and select the file type you want to recover (e.g., documents, photos, videos).
3. Choose the location where the files were deleted from (e.g., recycle bin, hard drive).
4. Click “Start” to begin the scanning process.
5. Once the scan is complete, select the files you want to restore and click “Recover.”
4. Restore from a Previous Version
If you have enabled the System Restore feature on your Windows computer, you can restore your system to a previous point in time when the deleted files were still present. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the System Restore window by searching for “System Restore” in the Start menu.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point before the deletion occurred.
3. Click “Next” and confirm the restore point selection.
4. The system will restart and restore to the selected restore point, restoring the deleted files along with it.
Conclusion
Losing files from the recycle bin can be a frustrating experience, but there are several methods to restore deleted files. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can recover your lost data and get back to work or enjoy your important files once again. Remember to regularly back up your files to prevent future data loss.
