How to Recover Deleted Files from Laptop/PC [2023 Guide]

Deleting files accidentally is a slip-up that happens to most of us. If you delete a file unintentionally but realize you need it later, you can follow the useful tips in this guide to recover deleted files from your laptop or PC on Windows 10/8/7.

Deleted file scenarios	Recover solutions	Degree of difficulty	Need software
🔃Deleted files go to Recycle Bin	Recover deleted files from PC Recycle Bin on Windows	Easy	No
😲Deleted files on PC are removed completely	Recover deleted files with deleted file recovery software	Easy	Yes
🧰Accidentally deleted files from the laptop	Recover lost files from previous versions	Medium	No
💽Delete files on Windows PC with a backup	Retrieve deleted files from backups	Medium	No

How to Recover Deleted Files from PC Recycle Bin on Windows 10

If you simply deleted files on your computer by moving them to the Recycle Bin and didn't press the "Empty Recycle Bin" button afterward, recovering recently deleted files can be easy. Use the following steps to recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin on Windows 10:

Step 1. Open the Recycle Bin, locate and find the files.

Step 2. Right-click the files you want to recover and select "Restore".

Step 3. This will retrieve deleted files back to their original location. After restoration, you can copy the files to other drives if you want to.

How to Recover Deleted Files with Deleted File Recovery Software

If the removed files aren't in the Recycle Bin and there are no previously saved versions, you can use one of the best data recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover deleted files or restore deleted files windows 10 on a PC or laptop.

Developed with advanced algorithm technology, EaseUS data recovery software is an easy-to-use tool over a decade of flawless track record in the data recovery field.

Download EaseUS deleted data recovery software for free and follow an intuitive process to restore deleted files from laptop or PC on Windows 10. 

Step 1. Choose the exact file location and then click the "Scan" button to continue.

Step 2. After the process, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders in the left panel. Then, you can apply the "Filter" feature or click the "Search files or folders" button to find the deleted files.

Step 3. Click the "Recover" button and save the restored files – ideally, it should be different from the original one.

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Caution: Don't save the recovered data back to the partition or drive where you lost it! You can transfer to that location after recovery, but recovering directly to the same drive may result in overwriting the file. If you only need to recover a few small files, you can use the free version of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. This free data recovery software allows you to recover up to 2GB of data. You can use it to recover any type of file on the hard drive of a laptop or PC.

We also provide video tutorials to help you find deleted files on a Windows computer.

Restore Deleted Files from Laptop Using the Previous Versions Feature (Without Software)

If the file you deleted is not in the Recycle Bin, or if you have to recover emptied Recycle Bin and do not want to use third-party software to retrieve deleted files, you can try to recover an older version of the deleted or lost file by using the free backup and restore feature built into Windows. To recover deleted files without using specially crafted software, follow these steps.

In Windows 10/8.1/8:

Step 1. Open Control Panel.

Step 2. Go to "File History" > "Restore personal files".

Step 3. Click the green "Restore" button to get the deleted files back.

In Windows 7:

Step 1. Click the "Start" button, select "Computer", and navigate to the folder that used to contain the file or fold that you need to recover.

Step 2. Right-click the folder and select "Restore previous versions" in the context menu.

Step 3. You'll see a list of available previous versions of the deleted files or folders with different times and dates. Choose the version you want and click "Restore" to retrieve deleted files.

 

Read the full guide on how to recover deleted files from previous versions on Microsoft's web page.

How to Retrieve Deleted Files from a Backup on Windows 10/8.1/8/7

If you have previously set up Windows Backup, you can use it to retrieve deleted files. To restore a file from a backup, make sure the media or drive that stores your backup is available, and then follow these steps:

Step 1. Click the "Start" button, type Control Panel, and select it.

Step 2. Select "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".

Step 3. Click the "Select another backup to restore files from" option and choose your backup.

Step 4. Click "Next" and follow the instructions to complete the recovery process.

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Tips You Need to Check Out to Recover Deleted Files

Read the following contents to get more information on deleted file recovery.

1. Where do deleted files go?

Items deleted in a regular way should end up in the Recycle Bin, which gives you a second chance at recovery if you change your mind. However, if you use the "Shift" + "Delete" key combination to delete a file or a bunch of files permanently, the deleted items will bypass the Recycle Bin. A similar predicament may occur behind your back if a strain of malware corrupts or wipes your files.

But they are not gone forever, as your operating system doesn't completely erase files right after they were deleted. Although disk space is labelled as available, the files are still there somewhere

2. How to recover deleted files on Mac?

You can recover deleted or permanently deleted files on Mac with EaseUS Mac data recovery software. Download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac for free and run it.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac and choose the disk where you lost data to scan.

Step 2. After the scan, use the file format filter on the left or upper right corner to find the deleted files you need.

Step 3. Preview and recover lost data or files.

3. How to recover deleted files from an external hard drive, SD card, or USB drive?

If you remove files from an external hard drive, a removable USB flash drive, or an SD card, the deleted files will not go to the Recycle Bin. You need to connect the external storage device to your computer and make it show up. Then, apply EaseUS recovery software to recover deleted files from an external hard drive using the following simple steps.

Step 1. Connect your external hard drive, USB, or SD card to a laptop or PC.

Step 2. Make sure the device appears.

Step 3. Open EaseUS data recovery software and use it to retrieve removed files from the external disk.

4. How to recover deleted files on Android?

Android data recovery requires an extra step before recovery. You need to root the device in advance and install EaseUS Mobisaver for Android on your Windows computer. The software can scan your smartphone for lost pictures, contacts, messages, videos, and many more types of files, and will show the results in categories.

Step 1. Connect your Android phone to the computer. Run EaseUS MobiSaver for Android and click the "Start" button. 

Step 2. Scan Android phone to find the lost data

Step 3. Preview and recover data from Android phone

Deleted File Recovery Conclusion

After reading this tutorial, we believe that you have learned effective methods to recover deleted files on a PC running Windows 10/8/7. When you lose files, be sure to look around for them before calling them quits.

• First, you can restore files that have not been permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin.
• Next, use EaseUS data recovery software to scan your hard drive and recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10 if the first method is a no-go.
• Finally, check your File History or backups to recover files. Keep in mind that it is much easier to back up a file in advance than to recover it after it is lost. You can enable the File History/Windows Backup feature or use automatic file backup software to protect your files proactively.

Recover Deleted Files FAQs

You'll find answers here if you also have any of the following frequently asked questions about deleted file recovery.

1. How do I recover permanently deleted files?

You can recover permanently deleted files with a professional file recovery tool:

Step 1. Download and run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. 

Step 2. Scan your PC or laptop to find lost files. 

Step 3. Preview the recoverable files and restore them easily. 

2. How can I recover permanently deleted files without backup?

Method 1. Use specialized data recovery software, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, to recover deleted files without backup.

Method 2. You can use Windows File Recovery, an accessible data recovery tool owned by Microsoft, to recover deleted files without backup.

3. Can you recover deleted files on the PC?

Apply EaseUS recovery software to recover deleted files on a PC using the following simple steps.

Step 1. Download and install EaseUS data recovery software on your PC.

Step 2. Choose the disk or folder where you lost files to scan. 

Step 3. Preview and restore lost files. 

4. How do I undo a deleted file?

Step 1. Navigate to the folder containing your deleted file in Windows File Explorer.

Step 2. Anywhere in that folder, simply right-click, then choose the Undo Move option from the pop-up menu.

Step 3. Your deleted file should be readily recovered with this. Alternatively, you can get your file back by pressing Ctrl + Z just after you delete it.