Have you accidentally deleted important files from your Windows laptop or PC? Don’t worry. Even if a file has been permanently deleted, there’s still a good chance you can recover it.
Normally, when you delete a file using the Delete key, it goes straight to the Recycle Bin. From there, you can easily restore it. But if you delete a file using Shift + Delete, empty the Recycle Bin, or clean your system with a cleaner app, the file skips the Recycle Bin and becomes permanently deleted.
Still, this doesn’t mean the file is completely gone. The system simply marks its storage space as available, waiting for new data to overwrite it. As long as that space hasn’t been overwritten, recovery is possible.
In this article on Naijaknowhow, we’ve shared three simple ways to restore permanently deleted files on a Windows laptop using built-in features and recovery tools.
3 Ways to Restore Permanently Deleted Files on a Laptop
1. Backup and Restore Method
This method can restore files that are permanently deleted on a laptop without using software and can be used for Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11. But this method can only be used if you have the latest data backup in Windows Backup.
You do this by clicking the Start menu with the Windows symbol and then selecting Control Panel. After that, select the System and Maintenance option and select Backup and Restore.
Click Restore my files and select Browse for files or Browse for folders to select the backup that was made previously. Then select the destination to save your file.
2. Restore Method Previous Versions
If you use a laptop with Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11, you can restore files that are permanently deleted by returning to the previous version. But make sure your File History feature is active before.
How to restore the file begins by searching for the folder where the file or folder has been permanently deleted. Right-click on the folder and select the Restore previous versions option.
You will see a list that contains various versions of files or folders. Select the latest version and click Restore to restore files that have been permanently deleted.
3. Using the Data Recovery Software
The two methods above can be done without installing additional applications. But if, for example, you don’t have a backup or can’t carry out the method above, you can use data recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard or Recuva or platforms such as Data Recover Lab to specifically recover files from all types of storage devices.
The trick is to download and install the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard application on your laptop or PC. After that, run the application as usual and select the location where your files are deleted.
Click the location and select the Scan option. This software will automatically scan the selected location, and a few moments later, the scan results will be displayed in the Deleted Files section.
After that, select the file that you want to return and click Recover to save it to a new location or device. After that, click OK to complete this process.
Conclusion:
Losing important files on your PC can be stressful, but as you’ve seen, there are reliable ways to recover permanently deleted files on Windows laptops or PCs. Whether you’re using built-in features like Backup & Restore or third-party apps like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, recovery is possible if you act quickly and follow the guide above. Always remember to enable backup features like File History and regularly back up your data to avoid future loss.
Have you used any other file recovery methods that worked for you? Kindly let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this article using the social share buttons to help others find this helpful guide.
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