Quick answer: Stop using the drive, then check the Recycle Bin first. If the file is not there, try File History, Previous Versions or your cloud storage. As a last built-in step, Microsoft’s free Windows File Recovery tool can scan a drive for deleted files.
Deleting the wrong file is common, and it is often fixable. Deleted data usually stays on the drive until something new overwrites it, so speed matters more than any tool.
This guide covers Windows 11 and Windows 10 and applies to readers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe. The steps are general information, and no method is guaranteed.
What should I do first after deleting a file?
ExpressVPN’s recovery guide gives the same advice most experts do: act quickly and stop using the drive. Do not save or install anything on it until you have tried recovery.
- Press Ctrl+Z in File Explorer. It can undo a recent deletion, but only if the file went to the Recycle Bin and you have not closed the window or restarted.
- Note how the file was deleted. Files sent to the Recycle Bin are easiest to recover. Shift+Delete, emptying the bin, deleting from a USB drive and formatting all lower your odds.
How do I restore a file from the Recycle Bin?
- Open the Recycle Bin from the desktop.
- Find the file, using the search box if needed.
- Right-click it and choose Restore. It returns to its original folder.
TechRadar notes that files that were emptied from the bin, or were too large to be moved there, may need recovery software or a backup.
Can I recover files from a backup or an earlier version?
Yes, if the feature was switched on before the deletion. Check these in order.
File History
Go to Settings, then Backup (the wording varies by Windows version), and look for the option to restore files from a current backup. Browse by date, select your files and click Restore. TechRadar says holding Shift while clicking Restore lets you pick a different destination.
Previous Versions
In File Explorer, right-click the folder that held the file and choose Restore previous versions. Pick a version from the list and use Open to check it first. You can then Restore or Copy it to another place. This needs System Protection or File History to have been on already.
OneDrive or other cloud storage
Per ExpressVPN, you can download the file from synced storage or restore it from the cloud service’s own recycle bin, within that provider’s retention period. If you rely on the cloud, our guide to backing up Windows 11 shows how to set it up for next time.
How do I use Windows File Recovery?
This is Microsoft’s free command-line tool. Per the Microsoft Support page, it works on Windows 11 and Windows 10, installs from the Microsoft Store and recovers files from local drives, including external and USB drives. It does not support cloud storage or network file shares.
- Install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run a command in this format:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: /mode /n filter - Check the destination drive. The tool creates a Recovery folder with a log file.
The source and destination must be different drives. If you have only one drive, plug in an external one.
Which mode should I choose?
- Regular: for recently deleted files on a healthy NTFS drive (most Windows internal drives).
- Extensive: for older deletions, formatted or corrupted disks, and for FAT or exFAT drives such as SD cards and smaller flash drives.
To find your drive’s file system, right-click it in File Explorer and open Properties.
Example commands
These examples come from Microsoft’s page. Replace the drive letters and user name with your own.
- Documents folder, recent deletion:
winfr C: E: /regular /n Users<username>Documents - By file type:
winfr C: E: /regular /n *.pdf /n *.docx - By name, older deletion:
winfr E: C: /extensive /n *invoice*
Winhelponline adds a useful tip: files emptied from the Recycle Bin are renamed, so name or path filters can fail. Use an extension filter instead. It also notes that on SSDs, recovery is limited by TRIM, so deleted data may be unrecoverable.
What if nothing works?
Third-party recovery programs exist, and TechRadar says some are free. It also says they do not guarantee success and can be expensive. Be wary of any tool that asks for payment before showing what it can find, and download only from the maker’s own site.
For very important data, such as a drive that clicks or does not appear, stop and consider a professional service. A failing drive can get worse each time it is used. Our guide to checking SSD and hard drive health explains the warning signs.
How can I avoid this next time?
Turn on File History or another backup now, and keep a second copy off the PC. See our piece on backup options when external drives cost more. Browse more tips in the Apps and Software news and guides category.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover files after emptying the Recycle Bin?
Sometimes. Backups, previous versions or cloud storage may have a copy. Otherwise Windows File Recovery may find it if nothing has overwritten the space.
Does Windows File Recovery work on an SSD?
It can, but results are limited. Microsoft notes new files can overwrite deleted data, especially on SSDs, and Winhelponline says TRIM can make recovery impossible.
Is Windows File Recovery safe?
It is a Microsoft tool from the Microsoft Store. It reads the source drive and saves recovered files to a different drive, so it does not write onto the drive you are scanning.
Can it recover files from OneDrive or a network share?
No. Microsoft says it does not support cloud storage or network file shares. Use the cloud service’s own recycle bin.