How to recover permanently deleted files in windows 10 & 11

How to recover permanently deleted files in windows 10

Introduction

Accidentally deleting important files can be a distressing experience, especially when they bypass the Recycle Bin and seem lost forever. However, Windows 10 and 11 offer built-in tools that can help you recover these permanently deleted files without the need for third-party software. In this guide, we’ll explore a hidden trick using the Command Prompt to restore your lost data.

Understanding Permanent Deletion

When a file is permanently deleted in Windows, it’s not immediately erased from the storage drive. Instead, the system marks the space occupied by the file as available for new data. Until new data overwrites this space, there’s a chance to recover the deleted file. This is where the Command Prompt comes into play, offering a method to retrieve such files.

Using Command Prompt to Recover Deleted Files

The Command Prompt (CMD) is a powerful tool in Windows that allows users to execute commands to perform specific tasks. One such task is recovering deleted files using the ‘ATTRIB’ command.

Steps to Recover Files Using CMD:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

   • Press Win + S, type ‘cmd’, right-click on ‘Command Prompt’, and select ‘Run as administrator’.

2. Navigate to the Drive Where the Files Were Deleted:

   • For example, if the files were on the D: drive, type D: and press Enter.

3. Execute the ‘ATTRIB’ Command:

   • Type the following command and press Enter:
     
     bash

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     attrib -h -r -s /s /d *.*

   • This command removes hidden, read-only, and system attributes from all files and directories.

4. Search for the Deleted Files:

   • After the command executes, check the drive for your recovered files. They might be in a newly created folder or their original location.

Note: This method is effective for recovering files hidden due to deletion or malware. However, if the space has been overwritten by new data, recovery might not be possible.

Alternative Method: Windows File Recovery Tool

Microsoft offers a command-line utility called Windows File Recovery for Windows 10 and later versions. This tool helps recover files from local storage devices, including internal drives, external drives, and USB devices.

Steps to Use Windows File Recovery:

1. Install the Tool:

   • Download and install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.

2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

   • Press Win + S, type ‘cmd’, right-click on ‘Command Prompt’, and select ‘Run as administrator’.

3. Run the Recovery Command:

   • Use the following syntax:
     
     bash

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     winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

   • For example, to recover from the C: drive to the E: drive, you might use:
     
     mathematica

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     winfr C: E: /n *.docx

   • This command attempts to recover all .docx files from the C: drive to the E: drive.

Note: The destination drive must be different from the source drive to prevent data overwriting.

Preventive Measures

To minimize the risk of permanent data loss in the future:

• Regular Backups: Use external drives or cloud services to back up important files regularly.

• Enable File History: This Windows feature automatically saves copies of your files, allowing easy restoration.

• Be Cautious: Before deleting, ensure the files are no longer needed, and double-check the contents of folders you’re deleting.

Conclusion

While permanently deleting files can be alarming, Windows provides tools like the Command Prompt and Windows File Recovery to help retrieve lost data. By following the methods outlined above and adopting preventive measures, you can safeguard your data effectively.

FAQs

1. Can I recover files deleted a long time ago? Recovery is possible if the data hasn’t been overwritten. However, the longer you wait, the higher the chance of data being overwritten.

2. Is third-party software better for file recovery? Third-party tools can offer user-friendly interfaces and additional features, but built-in Windows tools are effective and free.

3. Does the ‘ATTRIB’ command always work? The ‘ATTRIB’ command is effective for hidden files but may not recover all permanently deleted files.

4. How can I prevent accidental deletions? Regular backups and enabling features like File History can help prevent data loss from accidental deletions.

5. Are recovered files always intact? Recovered files may be corrupted if partially overwritten. It’s essential to stop using the drive immediately after deletion to increase recovery success.

6. Can I recover files from formatted drives? Yes, tools like Windows File Recovery can attempt to recover files from formatted drives, depending on the extent of data overwriting.

External Link: For more information on Windows File Recovery, visit Microsoft’s official page.