How to Recover Deleted HTML Files on Windows 11/10?

Losing HTML files due to accidental deletion, formatting, or system errors can be frustrating, especially if they contain important web content or code. This guide walks you through multiple proven methods to recover HTML files on Windows 11 and 10. You'll also learn practical tips to prevent future file loss.

Gia

By Gia / Updated on May 6, 2025

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Can Deleted HTML Files Be Recovered?

HTML files are widely used for building visually appealing and fully functional web pages. However, when managing a large number of HTML files, it's easy to accidentally lose them. These files can be lost due to several common reasons:

  • Accidental deletion
  • Emptying the Recycle Bin
  • Formatting a hard drive or USB drive
  • System crashes or software errors
  • Malware or virus attacks
  • Hardware failure

So, can deleted HTML files be recovered? Yes, in most cases, they can. When you delete a file from your system, it's not immediately wiped from the hard drive. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as available for new data. This means the deleted file remains recoverable until it's overwritten by new files. In other words, the sooner you attempt to restore the deleted HTML files, the higher your chances of getting them back intact.

How to Recover HTML Files?

There are different ways to recover deleted HTML files depending on how they were lost. Below are four effective methods you can try.

Method 1: Recover HTML Files from Recycle Bin

If you’ve recently deleted your HTML files, the first place to check is the Recycle Bin. When files are deleted normally, they are moved to the Recycle Bin and can be restored easily. Follow these steps to recover deleted HTML files from the Recycle Bin:

Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin first. Often, accidentally deleted files or folders can be found here.

Step 2: Search your HTML files within the search bar.

Step 3: Right-click on the search result and select Restore to return it to its original location.

Recover File from Recycle Bin

Tips: If your files are deleted using Shift + Delete or removed from the Recycle Bin, these files might have been permanently deleted. Please move on to the next solution to retrieve them.

Method 2: Recover HTML Files Using Data Recovery Software

If you can’t find the HTML files in the Recycle Bin, or if they were lost because of formatting, system errors, or other issues, your best solution is to use data recovery software. One powerful and beginner-friendly tool you can try is AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. This tool helps you scan your drives completely to find deleted or lost files. With just a few clicks, you can recover the files you need quickly and easily.

Key Features of AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery:
✔️ Recover files from accidental deletion, formatting, system crashes, or other data loss situations.
✔️ Easy to use, even if you have little technical experience.
✔️ Allows you to preview files before recovery so you can make sure you’re choosing the right ones.
✔️ Fully supports Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, and Servers.

Free DownloadWindows PCs and Servers
Secure Download

Here’s how to recover HTML files using AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery:

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your files are located.

Select drive

Tips: To avoid overwriting your lost files, install the software on a different drive than the one where your HTML files were deleted.

Step 2: Scan your disk to find the deleted files. It offers two modes:

  • Quick Scan: Quickly searches for recently deleted files.
  • Deep Scan: Thoroughly scans your storage device to find lost data from more complex loss situations.

Scan

Step 3: Upon scanning completion, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired HTML files and then click Recover.

Choose files

Step 4: Specify a path for the recovered files and wait for the process to complete.

Save the recovered data

Note: Avoid saving the recovered files to the same drive where they were lost, as this might overwrite other recoverable data.

Method 3: Restore HTML Files from Backups

Another effective way to recover HTML files is by restoring them from a backup. If you’ve created backups before the files were deleted, you can easily retrieve them. For example, Windows includes a built-in Backup and Restore feature that allows you to back up your entire system or specific folders. If this feature is enabled, you can use it to recover lost HTML files by following these steps:

Step 1: Go to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > Backup and Restore in turn.

Recover Files Windows Backup Restore

Step 2: Click Restore my files.

restore-my-files

Step 3: Click Browse for files to choose the file you want to recover, and then click Next.

browse-for-files

Step 4: Specify the saving path for your recovered file, and click Restore.

select-location

Method 4: Restore HTML Files from Previous Versions

Additionally, Windows offers File History and System Protection, which automatically save previous versions of files and folders as part of system restore points. If these features were enabled, you may be able to recover your HTML files by restoring a previous version. Follow these steps to recover HTML files using previous versions:

Step 1: Press Win + E to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Navigate to the folder that previously contained your HTML files. Right-click the folder and select Properties.

Step 3: Go to the Previous Versions tab. Here, you'll see a list of available versions of the folder.

Step 4: Select the version that contains your HTML files, then click Restore to return the folder to that state. 

Properties Previous Versions

Bonus Tip: How to Prevent HTML File Loss in the Future

While knowing how to recover HTML files is useful, preventing file loss is even better. Here are some tips to keep your HTML files safe:

Back Up Your Data Regularly: Making regular backups can greatly lower the risk of losing files. It’s a good idea to save important files to an external drive or a cloud storage service.
Be Careful Before Deleting: Always double-check before deleting or moving files to avoid removing something by mistake.
Use Trusted Antivirus Software: Protect your computer from viruses or malware that could damage or delete your files.
Avoid Using Shift + Delete: This shortcut deletes files permanently without sending them to the Recycle Bin, which makes recovery harder.
Stop Using the Drive After Deletion: If your files are deleted, try not to use the same drive. Adding new data might overwrite the deleted files and make them impossible to get back.

Summary

Losing important HTML files can interrupt your work, but don’t worry—there are several ways to get them back. This guide shows you how to recover HTML files on Windows 11 and 10. Acting fast and choosing the right recovery option will increase your chances of getting your files back successfully.

FAQs

Q1: What should I do right after I delete an HTML file by mistake?

Stop using the drive right away to avoid overwriting the deleted file. First, check the Recycle Bin or any backups you may have. If that doesn’t help, use recovery software as soon as possible.

Q2: How can I recover deleted HTML files that aren’t in the Recycle Bin?

Use data recovery software like AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, which can scan your drive and restore permanently deleted files.

Q3: Are recovered HTML files still usable?

Yes. As long as the files haven’t been overwritten or damaged, they should work just like before. You can open them with any text editor or web browser.

Gia
Gia · Staff Editor
Gia is an editor of AOMEI Technology. She possesses comprehensive expertise in resolving common computer challenges. Her methodical training equips her to craft articles that have provided indispensable guidance to countless users grappling with technical issues.