Visual Studio Code Deleted Files Not in Recycle Bin? Fix It Fast

Wondering why your Visual Studio Code deleted file is not in Recycle Bin? Read this post to learn where those files are and how to recover deleted files in Visual Studio Code.

Gia

By Gia / Updated on September 11, 2024

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Visual Studio Code deleted files not in Recycle Bin?

Visual Studio Code, created by Microsoft, is regarded as one of the most popular code editors around the world. It is equipped with robust and comprehensive features, allowing users to edit various programming languages across platforms to meet different user needs.

Files in Visual Studio Code are stored in different file types according to the programming languages used. They are mainly utilized to write, edit, or manage your tasks within a flexible and developer-friendly environment. However, there are some common issues we may encounter while using VS Code, such as:

 

Yesterday, while working on a critical project in VS Code, I accidentally deleted an important file. I thought it would be in the Recycle Bin, but to my surprise, it wasn’t there. It felt like it had just vanished. I had no idea what to do next, and with a deadline approaching, I needed a fast solution to recover that file before losing hours of work.

- Question from User

Where do those deleted files go?

As we know, the Recycle Bin in Windows can temporarily store deleted files and allow you to recover them within 30 days if you change your mind. However, you may notice that your Visual Studio Code deleted file is not in Recycle Bin. Where does it go?

In such a case, your files might have been permanently deleted from your device. But you don’t need to worry about it. While those files are defined as being deleted permanently, they still remain on your system until being overwritten by new data. That is to say, if you take appropriate measures as soon as possible, there is a high chance to get your deleted files back.

How to recover deleted files from Visual Studio Code?

Visual Studio Code deleted files not in Recycle Bin? This section covers three other ways to recover deleted files from Visual Studio Code. When your files are lost unexpectedly and cannot be found in the Recycle Bin, consider recovering permanently deleted files by using the following methods.

Recover deleted files using software

If your deleted files cannot be found in the Recycle Bin, they might be lost permanently on account of pressing the Shift + Delete keys or exceeding the limit of the Recycle Bin. In such cases, the best solution to fix how to recover deleted files in Visual Studio Code is to seek assistance from specialized recovery software. 

I would like to recommend a fantastic data recovery tool for you—AOMEI FastRecovery. It is a professional data recovery software, used to assist users in effortlessly retrieving lost or deleted files. Whether your files are permanently deleted or not, AOMEI FastRecovery can recover them with ease. 

With its advanced data scanning and recovery technology, you are allowed to retrieve multiple file formats from different storage devices, including PCs, hard drives, SD cards, and USB drives. Its concise and intuitive interface guides you through a smooth recovery process.

A step-by-step guide of how to use AOMEI FastRecovery to recover permanently deleted files:

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

Select a Drive to Scan

Step 2: Scan your disk to find the deleted files. It offers two modes, Quick Scan and Deep Scan, which are designed to find lost content comprehensively.

Scan and Search

Step 3: Upon scanning completion, missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the one you want to restore and then click Recover. You are allowed to preview it before recovery to avoid making a wrong choice.

Choose Files

Step 4: Specify a path for the file you want to recover and wait for the process to complete.

Save the Recovered Data

Recover deleted files via File History

File History, provided by Windows, is a valuable tool for backing up user files and offering recovery options in case files are lost due to accidental deletion or corruption. If your files are deleted permanently, recovering them with the help of the File History feature is also an excellent solution. It allows you to retrieve older versions of files that may have been modified or overwritten. However, it is important to note that you have to enable it in advance to make sure a successful recovery.

Please follow these steps to recover deleted files from Visual Studio Code via File History:

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

File History

Step 2: Click Restore personal files.

Restore Personal Files

Step 3: Choose the files you want to recover, and then click the Recover button.

Restore Deleted File

Note: File History can only save copies of files stored on the C: drive by default. If you store important files outside of these default locations, you need to manually add those files to the File History backup.

Recover deleted files through backups

In addition to File History, Windows offers another built-in feature called Backup and Restore that can be used to restore deleted files. It allows users to create backups of the entire system or individual folders. Compared with File History, this feature is more applicable to recovering data in more complex scenarios, such as system failure or hard disk corruption. If you have enabled this feature before losing files, you can use it to recover your deleted files effortlessly. 

Here’s how to recover deleted files in Visual Studio Code through Backup and Restore:

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

Tips: To prevent your data from unexpected loss, it is recommended to back up crucial files regularly, particularly when updating the system or installing new software.

FAQs

Q1: Are there any ways to ensure 100% successful recovery of deleted VS Code files?

Unfortunately, there are no methods that guarantee 100% successful recovery of deleted files. Recovering deleted files can be very easy if you can find them in the Recycle Bin. Otherwise, these files are defined to be permanently deleted. Although three effective methods are given in this post, the possibility of retrieving deleted files depends on whether they still reside on the system or not. If they have been overwritten by new data, it can be challenging to get them back.

Q2: What can I do to recover deleted files from Visual Studio Code without any backups?

Check your Recycle Bin first. If you can not find them there, they might have been permanently deleted from your device. In such a case, it is advised to use professional third-party recovery tools, like AOMEI FastRecovery, to recover the specified files.

Q3: How do I prevent future loss of Visual Studio Code files?

First, enable the auto-save feature in VS Code settings to automatically save changes made to your files at regular intervals. Additionally, configuring Windows’ built-in features, like File History or Backup and Restore, can also reduce the risk of file loss, ensuring your data integrity.

Summary

When working in VS Code, you might face challenges if your Visual Studio Code deleted file is not in Recycle Bin. In such a case, those files may be permanently deleted from your device. Luckily, there are some useful ways to get them back since they still remain on your system until being overwritten by new data. You can try any of those methods mentioned above to resolve your painful issue.

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.