How to Recover Windows File Specific Folder

If you happen to lose data from a folder by accidental deletion, hard drive formatting, system crash, etc.; EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can help to recover files from a specific folder quickly. It allows for a full recovery of files and folder structure.

Keeping files in specific folders is a good way to organize your data in an orderly manner. As an unexpected data loss disaster occurs for one reason or another now and then, you may lose data from a folder or even lose the whole folder due to mistaken deletion, hard drive formatting, virus attack, recycle bin emptying, or other causes. Besides, if the lost files or folders are too large, it might be a permanent loss, because the deletion will not go through the recycle bin under these circumstances.

Then, how to recover data from specific folder if you can't find them in the Recycle Bin? Does any tool allow you to recover data from a specific folder efficiently? 

Specify a Location to Recover Files from Specific Folder

According to our long-term experience in data recovery, one of the most needed functions for novice users is to choose a specific drive or device, or specify the Recycle Bin, desktop, or a folder to search and recover data. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard enables users to select a recovery location with flexibility.

As long as you know in which folders you get your files deleted, you can let the software directly scan that folder to recover data from specific folder. It will save you from all the tedious work of searching for essential data from a large number of recoverable files.

This well-known file recovery program supports restoring deleted files from a folder or retrieving lost folders with full structure effortlessly. It has the following powerful functions.

• Recover data from HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, pen drive, external hard drive, digital camera, etc.
• Support deleted file recovery, formatted recovery, data recovery from Recycle Bin, OS crash recovery, virus attack recovery, and more
• Restore permanently deleted folders or files with ease
• Preview all recoverable files to make sure better recovery effects
• Support photos, videos, audios, documents, emails, and other file types recovery
• Seamlessly compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, and Windows Server 2019 - 2003

To Recover Data from the Specific Folder, Follow the Steps Below：

Step 1. Select a folder to scan for lost files

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Double click "Select Folder" to browse the the location where you lost the folder and click "OK" to scan the lost folder. 

Step 2. Find and preview found files in the lost folder

If you remember the folder name, type the folder name in search box to quickly find the lost files. Then, open the found folder and double-click to preview scanned files. Or you can use the Filter feature to find a certain type of files. 

Step 3. Recover and save the lost folder 

Last, select the folder and files you need, click "Recover" and choose a new & secure location on your PC or cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox to keep the recovered data. 

If you find this information helpful, please share it with others on social media to assist them in overcoming this common challenge.

Recover Data from Windows File Recovery Specific Folder

Another option is to use Windows File Recovery, a command-line tool available for purchase in the Microsoft Store. Try using this tool to recover deleted data from your local storage device (such as USB devices, external drives, and internal drives) that aren't recoverable from the Recycle Bin. Network file shares and cloud storage are not supported for recovery.

Windows File Recovery must be manually downloaded and installed before use because it is not pre-installed on Windows 10 or 11.

Step 1. Search for "Microsoft Store" and choose the first result and Download Windows File Recovery.

Step 2. Examine the search results, then select "Get" to start the Windows File Recovery tool's download and installation.

Step 3. Click "Open." After the installation is complete. If you prefer not to use the tool right away, exit the Microsoft Store.

To recover an entire deleted folder, check Windows' built-in File History feature:

Step 1. Find the original folder.  Carefully locate the precise location where your lost file was initially kept by using File Explorer.

Step 2. Access Previous Versions. After the correct folder has been opened, right-click on any empty space in the folder window (do not click on files that are already there).  Choose "Properties" from the resulting context menu.

Step 3. Browse and Choose the Backup Version. A list of dated backups can be found under the "Previous Versions" tab.  Every item depicts the folder's appearance at that particular moment in time.  Look for one that was created before you erased your file by scrolling through these versions.

More About Specific Folder Recovery

Folder Data Recovery Software: When recovering files from a specific folder (e.g., Downloads or Documents), specialized software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is critical. These tools scan deep into your drive's NTFS/FAT32 structure, identifying recoverable files by their original folder paths - even after deletion or formatting. Unlike generic tools, they prioritize folder hierarchies, allowing you to target locations like C:\Users\Name\Desktop directly.

Comparison	EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard	Windows File Recovery (WinFR)
Type	Commercial GUI software (limited free version)	Microsoft official command-line tool (100% free)
Recovery Principle	Deep file signature scan Raw directory reconstruction	File system metadata (NTFS/FAT/ReFS) File signature scanning
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beginner-friendly: Wizard interface, one-click scan/recovery	⭐Advanced: Requires command syntax memorization
Precision Recovery Capability	✅ Excellent: Restores to original folder paths Real-time file preview Filters by name/type/date	⚠️ Limited: Depends on /n parameter (requires full path recall) No preview feature
Supported File Systems	NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, APFS, HFS+, EXT4	Windows-native only: NTFS, FAT, exFAT, ReFS
Key Scenario Adaptability	Formatted/lost partitions RAW drives Crashed systems External devices (cameras/SD cards)	Standard deletion/emptied Recycle Bin Partition damage (requires /segment mode)
Recovery Speed	Medium-fast (hardware-dependent; allows pause/resume)	Very slow (no progress bar; hours for large drives)
Data Security Risk	Low: avoids writing to the source drive automatically	High: User errors may overwrite data
System Requirements	Windows 11/10/8.1/7; macOS 10.9+	Windows 10 2004+ only
Cost	Free version (2GB limit)	Completely free

For best results, install the software on a separate drive to avoid overwriting lost data. Advanced filters (file type, date) accelerate recovery, while RAW scans rescue files from corrupted folders. Always verify software compatibility with your OS (Windows/macOS) and avoid writing new data to the affected drive.

How Do You Undo Delete File Explorer: Accidentally deleted a folder via File Explorer? Immediate action is key:

• Undo (Ctrl+Z): Works only if no other operations interrupted the deletion.
• Restore from Recycle Bin: Right-click the Bin > "Restore" to return files to their original folder.
• If Emptied Bin: Use WinFR (Windows File Recovery) with commands like: winfr C: D: /n \Users\Name\SpecificFolder\* 

If you find this information helpful, please share it with others on social media to assist them in overcoming this common challenge.

Conclusion

If your external hard drive remains corrupted after basic repairs, focus on targeted file recovery. Start with Windows File Recovery (Microsoft’s free tool) to restore files from a specific folder. For better results, check Previous Versions of the folder (via Properties > Restore previous versions) if File History or backups are enabled.

If these methods fail, consider using professional recovery software, such as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, which allows you to scan and recover lost files from selected folders. Always prioritize recovering critical data before attempting fixes, such as formatting. If the drive is physically damaged, consult a professional service immediately.

Recover Data from Specific Folder FAQs

Here are 4 additional questions about Windows file recovery in a specific folder. Check here for the answers.

1. How to recover deleted files in Windows 10?

In Windows 10, you should first look in the Recycle Bin in order to retrieve lost data. You can recover earlier versions of files or folders using Microsoft's File History function if the file is missing. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and other third-party data recovery applications are also options.

2. How to access deleted files?

Accessing deleted files from a specific folder requires bypassing standard OS restrictions:

• System Restore: Roll back to a restore point when the folder existed (via rstrui.exe).
• Cloud Sync: If the folder synced to OneDrive/Dropbox, check the service’s "Version History" or "Trash".
• Bootable USB: Create a recovery drive (e.g., Hiren’s BootCD) to access drives offline, avoiding OS overwrites.
• For encrypted folders (BitLocker), suspend encryption first to avoid access blocks.

3. How do I recover files from a specific folder?

Step 1. Connect an external drive or a network location: Ensure your computer is connected to an external drive or that the network location where you wish to store your backups is set up.

Step 2. Under System and Security in the Control Panel, choose Save backup copies of your files using File History.

Step 3. Choose "To activate File History", and turn it on.

Step 4. By using the option "Select drive", you can select a different drive if none is selected by default.

Step 5. Choose the network location or external drive you want to use for backups in the "Select a File History drive" window, then click "OK". You have the option to start over or transfer existing files to the new drive when prompted.

4. How to recover a folder using Windows File Recovery?

Choose Windows File Recovery after pressing the Windows key and typing Windows File Recovery into the search bar. Choose Yes when asked if you want to let the app make changes to your device. You may recover files in two main modes: Regular and Extensive.

5. What is the C :\ Recovery folder?

The "c:\recovery" is a holdover from your previous Windows version. If you experience problems after an upgrade, you can use this option to revert to the prior version of Windows. Yes, as long as you don't want to go back to your previous version of Windows, you can remove it.