How to Locate Recently Deleted Files
In today’s digital age, it’s not uncommon to accidentally delete important files from your computer. Whether it’s a crucial document, a cherished photo, or a valuable piece of software, losing these files can be a distressing experience. The good news is that there are several methods you can use to locate recently deleted files and potentially recover them. In this article, we will discuss the various ways to find recently deleted files on different operating systems and storage devices.
1. Use the Recycle Bin or Trash
The first place you should check for recently deleted files is the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). When you delete a file, it is often moved to this temporary storage location, allowing you to restore it before it is permanently deleted.
On Windows:
1. Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.
2. Look for the deleted file in the list of files.
3. Right-click on the file and select “Restore” to recover it to its original location.
On Mac:
1. Open the Trash by clicking on its icon in the dock.
2. Find the deleted file in the list of files.
3. Click and drag the file out of the Trash to restore it to its original location, or right-click on the file and select “Put Back.”
2. Check the Recently Deleted Folder
If you’re using macOS High Sierra or later, you can find recently deleted files in the Recently Deleted folder. This folder acts as a temporary storage location for deleted files, similar to the Recycle Bin on Windows.
1. Open the Finder and navigate to the Recently Deleted folder, which can usually be found in the sidebar or by clicking on “Recently Deleted” in the menu bar.
2. Look for the deleted file in the list of files.
3. Right-click on the file and select “Put Back” to restore it to its original location, or drag the file out of the folder to restore it.
3. Use File Recovery Software
If the Recycle Bin or Trash is empty, or if you have emptied them, you can still try to recover deleted files using file recovery software. These programs scan your storage device for deleted files and attempt to recover them.
Here are some popular file recovery software options:
– Recuva
– EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
– Disk Drill
To use file recovery software:
1. Download and install the chosen software on your computer.
2. Run the software and select the storage device where the files were deleted.
3. Start the scanning process and wait for the software to complete.
4. Once the scan is finished, browse through the recovered files and select the ones you want to restore.
5. Choose a location to save the recovered files and start the recovery process.
4. Check the Shadow Copies
Shadow copies are backup copies of files and folders created by the Windows operating system. You can use them to recover deleted files from a specific point in time.
1. Right-click on the folder or file you want to recover and select “Restore previous versions.”
2. A list of available versions will appear. Select the desired version and click “Restore” to recover the file to its original location.
By following these methods, you should be able to locate recently deleted files and recover them, depending on the situation. However, it’s essential to act quickly, as deleted files may be overwritten by new data, making recovery more challenging.
