Efficient Methods to Retrieve Deleted Files on Windows 11- A Comprehensive Guide

How to recover deleted files on Windows 11

In today’s digital age, data loss can happen at any time, and recovering deleted files on Windows 11 is a common concern for many users. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted important documents, photos, or other files, this article will guide you through the process of recovering them on Windows 11.

1. Check the Recycle Bin

The first and simplest step to recover deleted files on Windows 11 is to check the Recycle Bin. When you delete a file, it is usually moved to the Recycle Bin instead of being permanently deleted. To do this:

1. Open the Recycle Bin by clicking on its icon on the desktop or searching for “Recycle Bin” in the Start menu.
2. Look for the deleted files and right-click on them.
3. Select “Restore” to move the files back to their original location.

2. Use File History

If you have enabled File History on your Windows 11 computer, you can use it to recover deleted files. File History automatically backs up your files to an external drive or network location. To recover files using File History:

1. Open the File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon on the taskbar or searching for “File Explorer” in the Start menu.
2. In the left pane, click on “This PC” and then navigate to the drive where your files were located before deletion.
3. In the right pane, click on “History” to view the available restore points.
4. Browse through the restore points and find the one that contains the deleted files.
5. Double-click on the folder containing the deleted files, and then right-click on the files you want to recover and select “Restore.”

3. Use a File Recovery Tool

If the above methods do not work, you can try using a file recovery tool. There are many free and paid file recovery tools available for Windows 11. Here’s a general guide on how to use a file recovery tool:

1. Download and install a file recovery tool, such as Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
2. Open the tool and select the drive where the deleted files were located.
3. Choose the file types you want to recover (e.g., documents, photos, videos).
4. Start the scanning process, which may take some time depending on the size of the drive.
5. Once the scan is complete, browse through the results and select the files you want to recover.
6. Choose a location to save the recovered files and click “Recover.”

4. Backup Regularly

To prevent future data loss, it’s essential to backup your files regularly. You can use an external hard drive, cloud storage services, or Windows 11’s built-in File History feature to create backups of your important files. By doing so, you can easily recover deleted files in case of accidental deletion or other data loss scenarios.

In conclusion, recovering deleted files on Windows 11 can be achieved through various methods, including checking the Recycle Bin, using File History, employing file recovery tools, and regularly backing up your files. By following these steps, you can restore your deleted files and prevent future data loss.