How to Recover Deleted Files: Simple Methods and Useful Tools

Losing important files, whether photos, documents, or videos, can be a frustrating experience.

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It’s especially difficult when those files contain important memories, work documents, or irreplaceable content.

In many cases, people panic when they realize they’ve accidentally deleted something valuable.

However, the good news is that in many cases, it’s possible to recover deleted files, even if they seem to be permanently gone.

Whether it’s due to accidental deletion, a system crash, or a corrupted hard drive, file recovery is a common issue that many people face.

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Fortunately, there are numerous ways to recover deleted files, depending on the situation and the device you’re using.

In some cases, the file is simply hidden or moved to a temporary folder, while in others, more advanced recovery tools are required.

This guide will walk you through various methods of recovering deleted files, explaining how you can restore lost data from different devices and platforms.

We will also recommend several trusted recovery tools and apps that can help you in your data recovery efforts.

Whether you’re using a Windows PC, Mac, Android phone, or iPhone, there are options available for retrieving lost files.

What Happens When You Delete Files?

When you delete a file from your device, it doesn’t get completely erased right away. The operating system simply marks the space where the file was stored as available for new data. Until new data overwrites the deleted file, it remains recoverable using the right tools.

Understanding this helps emphasize why it’s important to act quickly if you want to recover deleted files. The longer you wait, the greater the risk that new data will overwrite the space occupied by the lost files.

How to Recover Deleted Files

There are several methods available for recovering deleted files, depending on the type of device you use (Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, etc.). Let’s go through some of the most common ways.

1. Using File History/Backup (Windows)

If you have File History enabled on your Windows PC, you can restore deleted files from a backup. Here’s how to do it:

Open the folder where the file was stored.
Right-click the empty space and select Restore previous versions.
A list of available backup versions will appear. Select the version you want to restore and click Restore.

For more information, visit Microsoft’s guide on File History.

2. Using Time Machine (Mac)

If you’re a Mac user, Time Machine is the built-in backup tool that can help you recover deleted files. Here’s how to use it:

Open the folder where the deleted file was originally located.
Click the Time Machine icon from the menu bar.
Use the timeline to scroll through previous versions of the folder and find the deleted file.
Select the file and click Restore.

For a detailed guide, check out Apple’s Time Machine Support Page.

3. Using Cloud Backup

If you use cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud, there’s a good chance that your deleted files can be recovered from their trash or backup systems.

Google Drive: Go to the Trash folder and look for the deleted files. Right-click and select Restore.
Dropbox: You can recover deleted files by going to the Deleted files section in Dropbox.
iCloud: Log into iCloud and visit iCloud Drive to check the deleted files under the Recently Deleted section.

Check the official pages for more details:

Google Drive Help
Dropbox Help
iCloud Support

4. Third-Party File Recovery Software

If the above methods don’t work, third-party file recovery software can often find and restore files that were permanently deleted. Here are some of the top file recovery tools available:

Recuva: Recuva is one of the most popular free file recovery tools. It allows you to recover lost files from hard drives, memory cards, and external drives. It’s simple to use and offers a free version with limited features.
Visit Recuva’s Website.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: EaseUS is a powerful tool that can recover files from a variety of storage devices, including hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. It offers a free trial with a limited amount of data recovery.
Visit EaseUS Data Recovery.
Disk Drill: Disk Drill is another popular recovery tool that supports Windows and Mac. It’s known for its deep scan capabilities and user-friendly interface.
Visit Disk Drill.
Stellar Data Recovery: Stellar provides both a free version and paid options that support data recovery from a variety of devices and formats.
Visit Stellar Data Recovery.

5. Using Mobile File Recovery Apps

If you’ve lost files on a smartphone, there are several apps that can help you recover them.

DiskDigger for Android: DiskDigger is a great option for recovering photos and videos from your Android device. It can also recover other file types with the premium version.
Learn more about DiskDigger at DiskDigger’s Website.
Dr. Fone for Android/iOS: Dr. Fone is an excellent choice for recovering lost files from Android and iOS devices, including photos, videos, messages, and contacts.
Visit Dr. Fone.

6. Professional Data Recovery Services

If your files are particularly important and none of the above methods have worked, you might need to consider professional data recovery services. These services often come at a premium price but use advanced techniques to recover data from physically damaged hard drives, mobile devices, or other storage media.

Professional services can often recover files even from damaged or malfunctioning devices. Some well-known data recovery companies include:

DriveSavers: DriveSavers Data Recovery
Ontrack: Ontrack Data Recovery

Preventing Future Data Loss

While it’s great to know that recovery is often possible, it’s far better to prevent data loss from happening in the first place. Here are some best practices:

Regular Backups: Always make sure you back up your important files to cloud services or external storage.
Use Data Recovery Software Proactively: Keep a recovery tool installed on your computer to help in emergencies.
Enable Automatic Cloud Backups: Set up automatic backups to ensure your files are always stored safely.
Be Cautious When Deleting Files: Double-check before you permanently delete important files.

Conclusion

Losing files doesn’t have to be permanent. Whether you’re dealing with photos, documents, or other types of files, there are plenty of tools and services available to help you recover them. By using backup systems and reliable recovery tools, you can ensure that your data is never truly lost.

Explore the methods and apps mentioned above and take control of your data recovery journey.

Victor 7 de May de 2025

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