Deleted a File on Windows 10? Every Recovery Method Explained

Recovering deleted files on Windows 10 depends on how the file was deleted, whether backups are enabled, and how much time has passed since deletion. In most cases, recovery is possible.

This guide covers all native Windows 10 recovery tools first, then moves to software options for permanently deleted files. Act quickly — every new file saved to the affected drive reduces your chances of successful recovery.

Part 1. Check the Recycle Bin

The first and fastest option is the Recycle Bin. Windows 10 sends all normally deleted files here before they are permanently removed.

Steps to restore a file from the Windows 10 Recycle Bin:

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the Desktop.
2. Sort by Date Deleted to find recent items.
3. Right-click the file → Restore.
4. The file returns to its original folder.

💡 Tip: If the Recycle Bin icon is missing from your Windows 10 desktop, go to Settings → Personalization → Themes → Desktop icon settings and check the Recycle Bin box.

What gets bypassed by the Recycle Bin:

Part 2. Restore Using File History

File History is Windows 10's primary backup solution for personal files. It backs up files in your Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Desktop folders to an external or network drive.

How to restore files with File History on Windows 10:

1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Backup.
2. Click More options → Restore files from a current backup.
3. Use the left/right arrows at the bottom to move through backup time points.
4. Select the file or folder to restore.
5. Click the green Restore button.

🗣️ r/techsupport user: "File History saved me on Windows 10. I accidentally deleted an entire folder and found a backup from 30 minutes before. Highly recommend setting this up before you need it."

⚠️ Important: File History must have been set up before the deletion. If no external drive was connected and configured, File History will have no backup data to restore from.

Part 3. Use Previous Versions (Volume Shadow Copy)

Previous Versions in Windows 10 pulls from Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) snapshots created by System Restore and File History. These snapshots can restore individual files without a full system rollback.

Steps to access Previous Versions:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder that contained the deleted file.
2. Right-click the folder → Properties.
3. Go to the Previous Versions tab.
4. Select a snapshot from before the deletion.
5. Click Open to browse and copy files, or Restore to roll back the entire folder.

💡 Tip: To check if System Protection is enabled on Windows 10, right-click This PC → Properties → System Protection. If "Protection" is shown as "Off" for your C: drive, enable it now to protect future files.

Comparison of Windows 10 built-in recovery methods:

Part 4. Windows File Recovery Tool (Command Line)

Microsoft offers a free command-line tool called Windows File Recovery available from the Microsoft Store. It works on Windows 10 version 2004 and later.

Basic usage:

winfr C: E: /regular /n \Users\YourName\Documents\report.docx

This command scans the C: drive and saves recovered files to the E: drive. Replace paths and filenames as needed.

🗣️ r/windows10 user: "Windows File Recovery actually worked for my deleted photos. It's not pretty but it does the job if you're comfortable with the command line."

The tool supports two modes: Regular (for recently deleted NTFS files) and Extensive (for older deletions or formatted drives). Use Extensive for stubborn cases.

Part 5. Recover Permanently Deleted Files with Software

For files deleted with Shift+Delete or after the Recycle Bin was emptied, data recovery software is the most effective option. The underlying data often remains intact until overwritten.

💡 Tip: Install recovery software on a different drive (like a USB stick or second hard drive) — never install on the drive you're trying to recover from, as installation writes new data that may overwrite your deleted files.

Top free and paid options for Windows 10:

| Tool | Cost | File System Support | Best For | |------|------|--------------------|---------|| | Recuva | Free | NTFS, FAT32, exFAT | Quick recovery, simple UI | | PhotoRec | Free | All major | Deep scan, no GUI | | Ritridata | Paid | NTFS, FAT32, exFAT | Photos, videos, camera RAW | | Disk Drill | Freemium | NTFS, FAT, HFS+ | Cross-platform, GUI |

Part 6. Recover Deleted Files with Ritridata

Ritridata works on Windows 10 and can recover photos, videos, documents, and other file types from internal drives, external hard drives, and SD cards.

How to use Ritridata on Windows 10:

1. Download Ritridata and install it on a drive other than the affected one.
2. Open Ritridata and select the drive or partition to scan.
3. Run Quick Scan first; switch to Deep Scan if files don't appear.
4. Preview recoverable files and select what you need.
5. Click Recover and save to a separate drive or folder.

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FAQ

Q: Can I recover files deleted from Windows 10 without software? Yes, if File History or System Restore was enabled before the deletion. Check the Recycle Bin, Previous Versions tab, and File History backup first. If none of these apply, software is required.

Q: Does Windows 10 automatically back up files? Not by default. File History must be manually configured and an external drive must be connected. OneDrive can sync your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders if you opt in during Windows setup.

Q: What happens to files when the Recycle Bin is full? When the Recycle Bin reaches its capacity limit, Windows 10 automatically deletes the oldest files in the bin to make room for newer ones. Those deleted files bypass any final recovery option.

Q: Can I recover files from a Windows 10 drive that won't boot? Yes. Connect the drive to another working PC as an external drive, then run recovery software from that computer. Alternatively, use a bootable recovery USB to scan the drive.

Q: How long after deletion can I still recover a file? There's no fixed limit — as long as the disk sectors containing the file haven't been overwritten, recovery is possible. On a heavily used drive, the window may be hours; on a rarely-written drive, it can be months.

Q: Is Windows File Recovery free? Yes. Microsoft's Windows File Recovery tool is available free from the Microsoft Store and runs from Command Prompt. It's functional but requires command-line knowledge.

References

• Microsoft: Recover lost files on Windows 10
• Microsoft: File History backup in Windows 10
• Microsoft: Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store
• Piriform: Recuva Download
• Ritridata Data Recovery Software