Efficient Guide to Reclaiming Deleted Files- How to Restore Recycle Bin Files After Emptying It

How to Restore Recycle Bin Files After Emptying Recycle Bin

Accidentally emptying the recycle bin can be a distressing experience, especially when you realize that important files have been deleted. However, there are several methods you can use to restore recycle bin files after emptying it. In this article, we will discuss some of the most effective ways to recover your lost files and get them back to their original location.

1. Use the Recycle Bin Restore Feature

The first and simplest method to restore recycle bin files after emptying it is to use the built-in Recycle Bin restore feature. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select “Properties.”
2. In the Properties window, go to the “Custom level” tab.
3. Scroll down and check the box next to “Display delete confirmation dialog.” Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
4. Now, when you delete a file, a confirmation dialog will appear. Choose “Yes” to delete the file, or “No” to restore it to its original location.

2. Use the Recycle Bin Recovery Tool

If the above method does not work or you have already emptied the recycle bin, you can use a recycle bin recovery tool to restore your files. There are many free and paid tools available online that can help you recover deleted files. Some popular options include:

• Recuva
• Stellar Data Recovery
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Here’s how to use Recuva to restore recycle bin files:

1. Download and install Recuva on your computer.
2. Run the program and select the file type you want to recover (e.g., documents, photos, videos, etc.).
3. Choose the location where the files were deleted from, which is usually the recycle bin.
4. Click “Start” to begin the scanning process.
5. Once the scan is complete, select the files you want to recover and click “Recover.” Choose a safe location to save the recovered files.

3. Restore from a Previous Version

If you have enabled System Restore on your computer, you can restore your files to a previous version before they were deleted. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the “Search” box on your taskbar and type “System Restore.” Select “Create a restore point” from the search results.
2. In the System Restore window, click “Next” and then “Choose a different restore point.” Select a restore point before the files were deleted.
3. Click “Next,” then “Finish” to start the restore process.
4. After the restore is complete, check your recycle bin to see if the files have been restored.

4. Use the Command Prompt

For advanced users, you can use the Command Prompt to restore recycle bin files after emptying it. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press “Windows + R” to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “cmd” and press “Enter” to open the Command Prompt.
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command: “echo y|del /f /q /s /d %SystemDrive%\$Recycle.Bin\.”. Press “Enter” to execute the command.
4. This command will delete all files in the recycle bin. To restore the files, type “echo n|del /f /q /s /d %SystemDrive%\$Recycle.Bin\.” and press “Enter” instead.

Conclusion

Restoring recycle bin files after emptying them can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and methods, you can recover your lost files and get them back to their original location. Remember to act quickly and use the appropriate method to ensure the best chances of successful recovery.