How to recover files deleted from PC

Deleting important documents, photos or work files is a common problem among computer users. Cybersecurity experts say that in most cases, data can be recovered if you act quickly and use the right recovery tools.

According to data recovery experts, up to 80–90% of accidentally deleted files can be recovered , if they have not been overwritten by new information, xrust notes. Therefore, it is important to know the basic ways to recover data on a computer.

Why deleted files can be recovered

When a user deletes a file on their computer, it does not disappear instantly. The operating system only marks a section of the disk as free for recording.

This means that:

• the file physically remains on the disk;
• it can be returned with special tools;
• the risk of loss occurs only after data is overwritten.

Specialists of the company Kroll Ontrack , one of the largest companies in information recovery, note that the most common mistake users make is to continue to actively use the disk after deleting the file . This dramatically reduces the chance of recovery.

Source:
https://www.kroll.com/en/services/cyber/data-recovery

The first step is to check the cart

The easiest recovery method is to return the file from the operating system trash.

To do this you need:

• open the “Trash” on the desktop;
• find the required file;
• right-click;
• select “Restore”.

After this, the file is automatically returned to the original folder.

This method only works if the recycle bin has not been emptied.

Using the Windows recovery function

The Windows operating system has built-in tools that allow you to recover deleted data.

Restoring previous versions

If the backup feature is enabled, you can return the old version of the folder.

Procedure:

1. open the folder where the file was located;
2. right-click;
3. select “Restore previous versions”.

The function works when Windows Backup or file history is activated.

Details are available on the official Microsoft website:
https://support.microsoft.com/windows-file-recovery

class=»notranslate»>__GTAG18__ Special programs for data recovery

If the file was permanently deleted, they can help specialized programs.

The most popular solutions:

• Recuva
• Disk Drill
• EaseUS Data Recovery
• R-Studio

These programs scan the disk and find deleted data that has not yet been overwritten.

The process usually includes:

• selecting a disk;
• scanning;
• file preview;
• restoration to a new folder.

Experts recommend installing such programs on another drive to do not overwrite lost data.

Recovering files from SSDs and flash drives

With modern SSD drives the situation is more complicated. Many of them use TRIM technology, which automatically cleans up deleted data.

Because of this:

• recovery may not be possible;
• the chances are significantly lower than with HDD.

However, on external drives and flash drives, recovery is still possible using disk analysis programs.

When to contact specialists

If the data is of high value — for example, work documents, accounting or family archives — it is better to turn to professional data recovery services.

They use:

• hardware disk scanners;
• recovery from damaged media;
• work directly with drive memory.

The cost of such services can reach from 200 to 1500 dollars , depending on the complexity of the procedure.

How to prevent data loss

Experts recommend following a few simple rules:

• make backup copies regularly;
• use cloud services;
• enable Windows file history;
• store important documents on multiple media.

According to analysts of the company Backblaze , about 30% of users have at least once experienced the loss of important data , and the main reason is accidental deletion or hardware failure.

Source:
https://www.backblaze.com/blog/data-loss-statistics/

Instead of an afterword

The problem of recovering deleted files remains relevant already for many years. As the volume of digital data grows, users are increasingly storing documents, photographs, and work materials on their computers. This is why backup and recovery tools are becoming a standard part of modern operating systems.

Xrust How to recover files deleted from a PC