How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from PC

Can permanently deleted files be recovered?

While the concept of permanent deletion may imply irreversibility, the possibility of recovery exists even if a file has been ostensibly deleted. The feasibility of recovery depends on several factors.

Logically deleted files (especially on Windows systems) remain in the hard drive's 0memory, awaiting potential recovery. Windows designates previous file spaces for reuse during its tombstone process.

The file will physically persist until Windows performs the final step of overwriting the file with new data, which is after the file becomes inaccessible through Windows Explorer. This complexity opens the door to recovering seemingly permanently deleted files, even in a Windows 10 environment.

How to recover permanently deleted files from PC?

If your files are indeed gone, the logical next step is to seek recovery. Below, we've introduced a series of established methods you can use to recycle your files before they are overwritten, ensuring they last forever.

Method 1. Restore files with File History

Protecting the data on your computer is the first responsibility of all users. A very effective way to achieve this is to perform routine system backups using your preferred backup tool. Windows 10 recognizes the importance of data protection and provides a built-in backup and recovery tool called File History.

This tool has proven to be helpful in recovering deleted items and Windows users are highly recommended to allocate time to configure and activate File History to protect data on their laptop or PC.

Step 1. Type "File History" in the search box and choose "Restore your files with File History" from the result.

Step 2. Next, search for the file you want to restore, locate the file, and tap on the green "Restore" button.

Step 3. Then select "Replace the file in the destination" to begin the recovery.

Method 2. Recover deleted files from Previous Versions

The "Previous Version" feature in the operating system proves to be very useful when you have accidentally deleted a file that you have been working on. With this feature, you can quickly and easily revert to a previously saved version of a file.

These versions are preserved while Windows creates restore points. Accessing this feature involves a simple process, as described in the following steps about how to recover permanently deleted files from PC Windows 10.

Step 1. Go to File Explorer and find the folder that contains the files you have deleted.

Step 2. Right-click the folder > Properties > Previous Versions > choose the latest version > Restore.

Method 3. Retrieve files via Backup and Restore

The Backup and Restore feature first debuted in Windows Vista and Windows 7 and has persisted across multiple Windows versions due to its commendable reliability. Many users continue to rely on it as their primary backup solution, especially to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10.

In addition to being able to expertly recover deleted files, this feature also extends its usefulness by allowing users to generate system image backups, thereby providing assurance in case the operating system encounters difficulties while booting.

Step 1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2. Click Restore my files.

Step 3. Click Browse for files > Select photos you want > Next.

Step 4. Specify the destination to save your recovered photos and click Restore.

Method 4. Get files back using Command Prompt

How do I recover permanently deleted files from my PC? The power of the command prompt can unlock the potential of recovering lost data and the following process sheds light on this process:

Step 1. Type Command Prompt in the Search icon or Start and Run as administrator.

Step 2. Input chkdsk [drive letter]:/f and tap the Enter key. Then, type Y and hit Enter to confirm and proceed to examine.

Step 3. Type in [drive letter] and hit Enter again. Then, enter attrib -h -r -s /s /d [drive letter]:\*.* to start recovering files on this disk.

Method 5. Recover permanently deleted files using data recovery software

When encountering a data loss incident, file recovery software is a must to reverse the adverse effects. Our top pick for data recovery tools on Windows is AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.

This powerful application stands out as a comprehensive solution that utilizes sophisticated algorithms to carefully scan all types of storage media for recoverable deleted files. Notably, its deep scan mode reaches deep into the disk, identifying file fragments that can be reconstructed even long after the files were originally deleted from the storage device.

Whether you are working on Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista, you can use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to figure out how to recover permanently deleted files from PC:

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI software. Click "Recover" > "Recover Data" on the taskbar.

Step 2. Then, the Recover Windows Data tool will pop up. Select the partition where you store the lost pictures and click "Start Scan".

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the photo you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to store your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering permanently deleted files Windows 10 ends.

Conclusion

How to recover permanently deleted files from PC? This post offers five recovery ways to help you get missing files back. If all built-in methods prove to be in vain, your most viable option is to use a dedicated data recovery tool such as AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.

By the way, AOMEI software is a powerful disk cloning program, so you can use it to clone hard drive as a backup to prevent future data loss.