How To Restore Deleted Files In Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Edgar Nicov

How-To

6 min. read

Published on November 8, 2025

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Losing important files can be a frustrating experience, but thankfully, Windows 11 offers several methods to recover deleted files. Whether you accidentally deleted a document, photo, or video, this guide will walk you through the different ways to restore your files and get your data back. From checking the Recycle Bin to utilizing File History and even exploring data recovery software, we’ll cover all the essential steps.

This comprehensive guide provides clear, easy-to-follow instructions to help you navigate the file recovery process. We’ll explore each recovery option in detail, providing tips and tricks to maximize your chances of successfully restoring your deleted files in Windows 11. Let’s dive in and get those files back!

What’s the Best Way to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 11?

Check the Recycle Bin

The first place to look for deleted files is the Recycle Bin. This is where Windows stores files that have been deleted, giving you a chance to restore them if you change your mind.

Open the Recycle Bin: Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
Locate the Deleted Files: Browse through the files and folders to find the files you want to restore. You can sort the files by date deleted to help you find them more easily.
Restore the Files: Right-click on the file or folder you want to restore, and select “Restore.” The file will be returned to its original location.

Recover Files from a Backup

If you have a backup of your system or specific files, you can restore them from the backup. This is a reliable way to recover files that have been permanently deleted or lost due to a system error.

Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Navigate to System: Click on “System” in the left sidebar.
Select Storage: Click on “Storage” in the right pane.
Choose Backup Options: Under “Storage management”, click “Backup options.”
Restore from File History: If you have File History enabled, click “Restore files from a current backup.” This will open the File History window.
Browse and Restore Files: Use the navigation buttons to browse through the different backup versions. Select the files or folders you want to restore, and click the “Restore” button (the green circular arrow).

Use Windows File Recovery Tool

Windows File Recovery is a command-line tool from Microsoft that can help you recover deleted files from various storage devices, including internal and external hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards.

Download and Install: Download the Windows File Recovery tool from the Microsoft Store.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click on “Command Prompt,” and select “Run as administrator.”
Use the Command: Type the command winfr source-drive: destination-drive: /recoverymode /switches and press Enter. Replace source-drive with the drive where the files were deleted (e.g., C:), and destination-drive with the drive where you want to save the recovered files (e.g., D:).

/regular or /extensive specifies the recovery mode. /regular is faster and works well for recently deleted files. /extensive is more thorough but takes longer.
/n specifies the file name or type to search for. For example, /n *.docx will search for Word documents.

Follow the Prompts: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the recovery process.

Consider Third-Party Data Recovery Software

If the above methods don’t work, you can try using third-party data recovery software. These tools often have more advanced features and can recover files that Windows’ built-in tools might miss.

Choose a Data Recovery Tool: Research and select a reputable data recovery software. Popular options include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Stellar Data Recovery.
Download and Install: Download and install the software on your computer.
Scan the Drive: Launch the software and select the drive where the deleted files were located. Start the scanning process.
Preview and Recover: Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable files and select the ones you want to restore. Choose a destination to save the recovered files.

Tips for Successful File Recovery

Act Quickly: The sooner you start the recovery process, the better your chances of success. Deleted files can be overwritten by new data, making them harder to recover.
Avoid Using the Drive: Minimize the use of the drive where the files were deleted to prevent overwriting.
Save Recovered Files to a Different Drive: Always save recovered files to a different drive than the one they were recovered from. This prevents further data loss.
Consider Professional Help: If the data is critical and you are unable to recover it yourself, consider contacting a professional data recovery service.

Comparison of Recovery Methods

Method	Pros	Cons	Best For
Recycle Bin	Quick and easy, built-in to Windows	Only works for recently deleted files	Recently deleted files that haven’t been permanently removed.
File History	Can recover older versions of files, easy to use	Requires File History to be enabled	Recovering previous versions or files from a specific point in time.
Windows File Recovery Tool	Free, can recover files from various storage devices	Command-line interface, requires technical knowledge	Advanced users needing to recover files from different storage types.
Third-Party Recovery Tools	More advanced features, can recover files that other methods might miss	Often require payment, can be time-consuming	When other methods fail or for more complex recovery scenarios.

Retrieving Lost Files Made Easy

Recovering deleted files in Windows 11 can be a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. Start with the Recycle Bin, explore backup options, and consider using the Windows File Recovery tool or third-party software for more complex situations.

FAQ

Can permanently deleted files be recovered? Yes, but the chances of recovery decrease over time as new data overwrites the deleted files.

Is Windows File Recovery tool safe to use? Yes, it is a Microsoft-provided tool and is safe to use, but it requires some technical knowledge to use effectively.

Does emptying the Recycle Bin permanently delete files? Yes, emptying the Recycle Bin removes the files from the Recycle Bin, making them more difficult to recover.

Can I recover deleted files from an external hard drive? Yes, you can use Windows File Recovery or third-party data recovery software to recover files from an external hard drive.

How can I prevent data loss in the future? Regularly back up your important files to an external drive or cloud storage, and enable File History in Windows 11.