How to Recover Deleted Files: Everything You Need to Know Written by Deeksha Arora | Reviewed by Jitendra Kumar Jaiswal | Updated on August 20, 2026 | Notchox Resources
When you delete a file, its actual data remains on your storage drive until new information overwrites it. Therefore, you should immediately avoid unnecessary computer use to maximise your chances of successful recovery. Just knowing how to recover deleted files is not enough — knowing the type of storage drive also matters, because traditional HDDs leave deleted blocks untouched until needed, while SSDs use automated background commands that erase blocks much quicker, making recovery more challenging. But it is rarely impossible to get your data back. This guide covers all the methods, including using the Recycle Bin, native and cloud backups, and additional data recovery software to restore your deleted files. Quick Answer: The best way to recover deleted files is to check your operating system's Recycle Bin/Trash. If it's not there, check your local backup history or cloud storage, which often keep deleted items in their own bins. When native options fail, you can use data recovery software such as Notchox to scan the drive and safely retrieve your deleted data.
Table of Contents • • • • • • •
Can Deleted Files Be Recovered? How to Recover Deleted Files? 5 Methods That Can Bring Your Long-Lost Files Which Recovery Method Should You Use for Your Data Loss Scenario? What Affects Your Chances of Recovering Deleted Files? When Should You Stop DIY File Recovery? Final Recap Frequently Asked Questions
Can Deleted Files Be Recovered? The short answer is yes, but recovering deleted files is a race against time. When you delete a file, it does not get permanently deleted — it's just hidden from your operating system. Whether it can be recovered depends largely on your storage technology. On traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), a deleted file remains intact on the platter. The operating system just marks its space as “free,” meaning you can recover the data until new files overwrite it. Modern Solid State Drives (SSDs) use a feature called TRIM that clears data blocks almost instantly to maintain performance — once TRIM executes, file recovery becomes nearly impossible.
How to Recover Deleted Files? 5 Methods That Can Bring Your Long-Lost Files Depending on how long ago you deleted the file and what device you used, you can recover it from your device's built-in Recycle Bin or Trash, from backups, or via native file recovery tools. If files were deleted permanently, stop saving new data to your drive and use specialised data recovery software to scan the drive and restore any possible data left.
Method 1: Recover Deleted Files From Recycle Bin or Trash The easiest way to recover a deleted file is to restore it directly from your device's Recycle Bin or Trash, since this is where deleted files go first and stay until manually removed. Note: By default, the Mac Trash never empties automatically — you can set auto-empty from System Settings.
On macOS:
1 Click the Trash icon on your Dock. 2 Find the file you need to restore. 3 Right-click the file and select Put Back to return it to its original location. On Windows:
1 Double-click to open the Recycle Bin on your desktop. 2 Locate the file you need to restore. 3 Right-click the deleted file and click Restore.
Method 2: Recover Deleted Files From Backups If you regularly empty your trash or have your drive wiped, your next best option is backups. Native backups are preferable since they're free, while cloud backups usually come with a cost.
Mac Time Machine:
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Connect the external drive or Time Capsule used for backup. Open the folder where your deleted files used to be stored. Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select Enter Time Machine. Use the timeline or arrows on the right edge of the screen to find the date before the file was deleted. Select the file and click Restore.
Windows File History:
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Connect your external backup drive or network drive to your PC. Open the Start menu, type “Restore files,” and click Restore your files with File History. Use the left and right arrows to browse through the files that existed. Select the files you want and click the green Restore button; they'll be saved to their original location.
Method 3: Recover Deleted Files From Cloud Storage
Cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and iCloud sync files to the internet, making them easy to restore. If a deleted file was already synced with your cloud storage, you can restore it by logging into the provider's web dashboard. Even if a file is missing from the drive, it may still exist in the cloud's dedicated secondary storage area due to data retention policies. When a file is deleted from a shared or synced folder, cloud servers typically quarantine it in a recycle bin or deleted items folder for a 30-day grace window before permanent deletion.
Method 4: Use Built-In File Recovery Options System utilities like Windows File History and macOS Time Machine protect your entire drive, but there are also built-in options for recovering individual files, such as Version History and Temporary Files.
Using Version History: Version History tracks changes made to specific documents and folders, so if a file is deleted from a folder, you can roll back to a previous version when the file was still there.
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Open File Explorer and go to the folder containing your file. Right-click the folder and select Restore previous version. Look through the dated timeline of modifications and select the version before the file was deleted. Click Restore to bring the folder back to its earlier state.
Using Temporary Files: Windows: Press Win + R, type %temp%, and hit Enter. Search for files with .tmp or .bak extensions created around the time of data loss. macOS: Open Terminal, type open $TMPDIR, and press Return. Browse the application-specific folders (e.g., paths ending in TemporaryItems) for cached document remnants.
Method 5: Recover Permanently Deleted Files Using Data Recovery Software When standard backups fail and files remain unrecoverable through native methods, dedicated data recovery software bypasses the operating system's surface instructions to scan the raw sectors of your storage drive, piecing together scattered fragments to rebuild file structures.
Using Notchox Data Recovery Software:
1 Download a trusted data recovery tool such as Notchox and install it on a different drive to avoid overwriting the deleted files.
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Connect the external drive (if any) you want to recover files from. Launch the application and select the target drive from the home page. Click Start Scan to begin — Notchox offers both a Quick Scan and a Deep Scan. Once the scan finishes, use the preview feature to check recoverable files before restoring. Check the boxes next to the files you want to save and click Recover Selected.
Which Recovery Method Should You Use for Your Data Loss Scenario?
No single data recovery method works for every situation — the right approach depends on how your data got deleted and the type of storage drive you're using. Use the table below to match your scenario with the best method. Data Loss Scenario
Storage Media
Recommended Recovery Method
Normal Deletion
Any Drive
Using Recycle Bin / Trash
Emptied Recycle Bin/Trash
Traditional Hard Drive (HDD)
Using Backup or Recovery Software
Permanent Deletion
Any Drive
Using Local Backups
Cloud Deletion
Google Drive / OneDrive / iCloud
Using Cloud Recycle Bin or Recovery Software
Overwritten Files
Local Hard Drive
Using Version History / Temp Files
Accidental Drive Formatting
Healthy Drive
Data Recovery Software
Physical Drive Failure
Broken Hardware
Professional Lab Service
What Affects Your Chances of Recovering Deleted Files? The success of any data recovery attempt is never guaranteed. Your chances of getting missing data back depend on immediate actions, your drive's specific technology, and the type of damage the storage media has suffered.
1. Continuous Device Use and Overwriting The most important factor under your control is how you treat your storage drive the moment you realize data is missing. When a file is deleted, the file system marks its space as “available.” If you keep downloading or saving new data to the same drive, it will overwrite the deleted data. Stopping use immediately maximizes recovery chances.
2. Storage Hardware: HDD vs SSD TRIM Mechanical HDDs have a comparatively higher chance of recovery because deleted data is left untouched on spinning platters until new files take its place. SSDs use TRIM, which wipes flash memory blocks almost immediately after the trash is emptied, leading to permanent deletion. Fact: TRIM doesn't run to delete data safely — it runs exclusively to keep flash memory writing fast.
3. Damage Type: Physical vs Logical Data Loss You must distinguish between system errors and actual hardware damage to choose the right recovery method. Logical Data Loss
Physical Data Loss
Accidental deletion
Physical drop
Formatting
Liquid and water damage
Malware and virus attacks
Wear and tear
Software crashes
Data can typically be recovered by one of the DIY methods in the case of logical data loss. Physical damage to the drive requires professional lab service.
When Should You Stop DIY File Recovery? DIY data recovery methods offer an easy fix for accidental deletions and software glitches, but they have strict limitations. Trying DIY recovery under the wrong conditions can turn a minor issue into permanent data loss. The main warning sign to stop DIY recovery is any physical damage or unusual drive sounds — these indicate internal components are failing, and continued use risks permanent data loss. Constant non-detection or disconnection of the drive is another warning sign. In these situations, professional data recovery using cleanroom laboratories with specialised tools is the only safe option.
Final Recap It's important to take action as soon as you realise your files are deleted. Stopping the drive right away protects your data from being overwritten. For software-related deletions, built-in recovery methods and professional software offer an easy path to recovery. For physical drive failures, DIY recovery is risky and such drives need professional data recovery services. Going forward, keeping regular data backups is the best way to prevent file loss in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions How to recover deleted files? Check your system's Recycle Bin or Trash folder first. If the files aren't there, restore them using local system backups or specialised third-party data recovery software. How to recover deleted files from Recycle Bin? Open the Recycle Bin on your Windows desktop, locate the deleted file, right-click on it, and select Restore. How to recover files deleted from Recycle Bin or Trash? Once the Recycle Bin or Trash is emptied, use native recovery tools or data recovery software to restore the files. How to recover permanently deleted files? Check automated system backups like Windows File History or Mac Time Machine. If backups aren't available, use specialised data recovery software to scan and restore the files. Does formatting a drive permanently delete files? No. A standard format only deletes the system directory map that makes storage space look empty. The data still remains on the drive and can be rescued with recovery software as long as you don't write new data over it.
Is it safe to use data recovery software? Yes, trusted recovery tools are safe when downloaded from official sources. Avoid using the affected drive unnecessarily and save recovered files to a different drive to prevent overwriting. Can I recover deleted files without a backup? Yes, you may still be able to recover deleted files without a backup by using data recovery software to scan the affected drive. Your chances depend on whether the data has been overwritten, and on an SSD, whether TRIM has already affected it.
Sources Restore items backed up with Time Machine on Mac – Apple Mac User Guide Backup and restore with File History – Microsoft Support
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