How to Recover Deleted Files/Folder from Desktop in Windows 10/8/7

Abby Haines Updated on Feb 25, 2019 to File Recovery | How-to Articles

Lost desktop folder and files without backup, how to recover?

"My desktop looked as usual after upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10. But after the first reboot, everything on the desktop was gone!!! I lost all my folders, and all shortcuts disappeared. I checked the recycle bin and Windows.old folder, nothing was found. A lot of precious pictures and home videos of my families for many years were among the lost desktop files and I had no backup file.

It is really unacceptable. Is there anyone who can tell me how to recover deleted files from the desktop in Windows 10?"

Recently, many users reported that they lost their files and shortcuts on the desktop after upgrading their computer to Windows 10. It seems that Windows 10 upgrade deletes desktop files.

On this page, we will introduce you how to recover deleted or lost files from the desktop from the previous version or with powerful third-party data recovery software with the step-by-step tutorials. Follow and try it out now!

Method 1. Recover desktop files or folders in Windows 10/7 from the previous version

When you deleted a folder/file on your desktop or got your desktop files lost for other reasons, you can try to retrieve them for free from the previous version.

Requiring no data recovery software, it should be your first choice for desktop file recovery. Here we will show you how to make it.

1. Create a new folder on the desktop and name it with the same name of the deleted folder.

2. Select the folder, right-click on it and navigate to "Properties" > "Previous Versions". And then Windows will search for and list the previous versions of the deleted or lost files or folders.

3. Choose the latest one and click "Restore" to recover deleted files from Desktop.

Method 2. Recover desktop files or folders with Window 10/7 data recovery software

The above method is free and easy for desktop file recovery. But it has a shortcoming. As you can see from the tutorial, you have to remember the name of all the deleted files or folders.

If you cannot recover deleted files in Windows 10/8/7 from the previous version, don't worry! You have a second choice - to recover lost or deleted files from the desktop with third-party Window data recovery software.

Here we recommend you to try EaseUS file recovery software. Being powerful, safe and easy-to-use, it can help you retrieve all your precious data in just 3 simple steps. Try it whenever you can't find or access a file or folder on your computer desktop or hard drive in Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista. Besides, to recover deleted files Mac, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is available to you.

Step 1. Run folder recovery software.

Launch EaseUS folder recovery software on your PC.
Connect the device to your computer if the lost folder is saved on an external storage device.
Click "Specify a location" to choose the exact location where you lost the folder.
Click "Scan" to begin scanning lost folder with files.

Step 2. Find lost folder.

You can use the "Search" feature to quickly find the lost folder by searching the folder name.
Or you can check and find them from "Deleted Files", "Drive (with your device name)".

Step 3. Recover the lost folder.

Last, select the folder and choose to save it to a new & secure spot on your PC by clicking "Recover".

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Frequently Asked Qusetions

Windows · Mac

1. Why cannot I recover 2GB data for free?

It is recommended to check the version installed is Free or Trial because they are different versions.

Trial has data preview function but cannot save any files, while the Free version enables to recover 2 GB files. The default free space is 500 MB and you may share the product on social media to get another 1.5 GB.

2. Why cannot the recovered files be opened?

A file is saved as 2 parts on the storage device: directory info (which is comprised by file name, time stamp and size info, etc.) and data content.

If the files with original file names and folder structures cannot be opened, one possible reason is the corrupted directory info. There is still a chance to recover the data content with the RAW Recovery method in our software.

3. Why isn't it suggested to recover the files back to the original drive?: The storage structure of the lost files would be altered or damaged by any changes on the drive. If you save the recovered files back to the same drive, the original data structures and data content would be corrupted or overwritten, which causes permanent data loss. So you should prepare another disk to save the files.

4. How can I check whether my data is recoverable or not before purchase?: The Free version helps you save 2GB files to better verify the recovery quality of our product before purchase.

5. How long does it take to scan the drive?: It strongly depends on the capacity of your hard drive and the performance of your computer. As reference,most drive recoveries can be completed in around 10 to 12 hours for a 1-TB healthy hard drive in general conditions.

1. Why cannot I recover 2GB data for free?: It is recommended to check the version installed is Free or Trial because they are different versions. Trial has data preview function but cannot save any files, while the Free version enables to recover 2 GB files.

2. Why cannot the recovered files be opened?: A file is saved as 2 parts on the storage device: directory info (which is comprised by file name, time stamp and size info, etc.) and data content. If the files with original file names and folder structures cannot be opened, one possible reason is the corrupted directory info. There is still a chance to recover the data content with the RAW Recovery method in our software.

3. Why isn't it suggested to recover the files back to the original drive?: The storage structure of the lost files would be altered or damaged by any changes on the drive. If you save the recovered files back to the same drive, the original data structures and data content would be corrupted or overwritten, which causes permanent data loss. So you should prepare another disk to save the files.

4. How can I check whether my data is recoverable or not before purchase?: The Free version helps you save 2GB files to better verify the recovery quality of our product before purchase.

5. How long does it take to scan the drive?: It strongly depends on the capacity of your hard drive and the performance of your computer. As reference,most drive recoveries can be completed in around 10 to 12 hours for a 1-TB healthy hard drive in general conditions.

Put the lost files back into your hands in only 3 steps. Don't wait as your files won't.

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How to Recover Deleted Files/Folder from Desktop in Windows 10/7

Lost desktop folder and files without backup, how to recover?

Method 1. Recover desktop files or folders in Windows 10/7 from the previous version

Method 2. Recover desktop files or folders with Window 10/7 data recovery software