Recovering Deleted Files: A Step-by-Step Guide

Again, we all know how that feels: you come across an important file one day and mistakenly delete it the next, and then think that it is gone for good. Thankfully, there are ways of how to get those files back! Today, it is possible to restore missing files if you use appropriate methods and programs. Here is an uncomplicated step-by-step procedure where you can follow when you have erased a file incorrectly, plus few more preventive measures to avoid such incidents in future.

Things to Do As Soon As Possible
The moment you realize you’ve deleted something important, follow these steps to maximize your chances of recovery:

Stop Using the Drive: Do not write to the drive where the file was saved or use it for any other operation that may cause any action on this drive. When files are deleted, the system says that that space is free but in most cases it is still possible to retrieve those files unless new ones are written over them.

Disconnect from the Internet (for network files): If your files are on a shared drive, which was overwritten, or on the cloud storage, which was synced, go offline.

Check Built-in Tools First
But don’t be hasty to go to recovery software right away; check out the existing options in your computer first—it may be that you can solve the problem right away!

Recycle Bin (Windows): Usually the deleted files are temporarily stored in the Recycle Bin, so open it. If you discover your file, context-click on it and choose “Restore”, and it returns to it initial position.

Trash (macOS): Just like Windows, the macOS stores files that have been deleted in the Trash. You just open your Trash bin, locate the file you need and then move it back to the original folder.

Using Data Recovery Software
If the file is not in the Recycle Bin or Trash, then the best way is to use recovery software. There are shareware and freeware applications on the market that can scan the hard drive for files which have been ‘deleted’ but in reality are still may exist physically, waiting to be overwritten.

Paid Software Options: Paid recovery tools are effective and can always include additional features such as scanning intensity, view options and filtering. Some of the most used on the market include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Disk Drill. It allows them to repair files from different kinds of storages and theses programs are intended for more complicated actions.

Free Software Options: Free ones that are tag and taxo can be very efficient in less complicated problems but they are not as equipped as the latter ones. There are two versions: Test Disk for a general data recovery and PhotoRec for Mp3, images and videos etc.

How to Use Data Recovery Software
Here’s a general process for using most recovery software programs:

Download and Install on a Different Drive: When using the recovery software remember to install it on a different drive or in an external media to the one that you are recovering data from to prevent overwriting the erased data. If the deleted file was on the C: store, for example, to store the software in a USB drive or another partition to help drive it.

Scan the Drive: Launch the software and select the drive which the deleted files were stored. Scan starts to look for achievable files to recover. Scans may some time as depending on the size of the drive and intensity or degree of searching.

Preview and Recover: Sometimes, after the scan is done many of the recovery programs enable you to preview the files. After specifying those files that are important, right-click them and then copy to another disk to avoid overwriting other files you wanted to retrieve on the original disk.

Extra Tips for Success

Generally, recovering files that have been permanently deleted or lost hinges primarily on time and the tools used to retrieve them. Let’s enumerate some additional hints to increase your chances of a successful recovery of files:

Time is of the essence: The moment you decide to retrieve your files, the better. This is because, with the passage of time, the “erased” information stored in your OS may be replaced by data that is in active use.

Do Not Format: In the case an individual mistakenly formatted a drive or disk, chances are the drive or disk will not be used at all until recovery measures have been attempted. Formatting a drive or disk creates new file tables which makes recovering previously stored information almost impossible.

Professional Data Recovery: If the information is particularly valuable or if all previous recovery attempts have failed then it might be time to consider a professional data recovery consultant. Such professionals possess special equipment and expertise when it comes to recovering files from damaged hard drives or SSDs and intricate situations.

Avoid Additional Misplacement of Data

It’s one thing to recover files; it’s, however, better to avoid such loss in the first place. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid data loss in the future:

Make Backups: Always remember to make backups of important files into an external hard disk, cloud storage or any other secure location. In this manner, in case you lose a file in the future, you will have a copy to refer to.

Backup Your Files: Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud, for example, offer automatic file backup. You can not only have access to your files from anywhere, but worries regarding files being deleted accidentally are also not that much of an issue.

Use File History OR Time Machine: This is a common feature in Windows and Mac Operating Systems that saves versions of files with an option to restore them if they are mistakenly edited or deleted.

Conclusion

The loss of files can be quite annoying, however, with the proper focus, it is generally possible to retrieve them. The above steps, together with rapid response, retrieval technologies and precautions should prepare you for unfortunate dismissals. Remember, though, performing backups regularly is the best defense against the loss of relevant data.