Losing data on a Windows PC or laptop is one of those moments that hits suddenly. One minute everything is there, the next minute it’s gone — deleted by mistake, removed permanently, or even wiped after formatting a drive. And usually, the realization comes after the delete button has already been pressed.
The good news is this: data recovery is often possible, especially if you act quickly and follow the right steps. Windows itself offers some built-in recovery options, and when those don’t help, third-party tools can still bring your files back.
In this guide, we’ll walk through four effective data recovery methods, starting from the simplest and safest options, and moving toward deeper recovery techniques. The goal here is not just to list tools, but to help you understand when and how each method works — and what your chances really are.
Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin (The Easiest Win)
Before jumping into advanced recovery tools, it’s always worth checking the most obvious place — the Recycle Bin.
When most users delete a file by selecting it and pressing the Delete key, Windows doesn’t remove it immediately. Instead, the file is moved to the Recycle Bin, where it stays until the bin is emptied.
Here’s how to check:
- Open the Recycle Bin from the desktop
- Look for the deleted file or folder
- Right-click on it
- Click Restore
Once restored, the file goes back to its original location exactly as it was.
This method works only if:
- You didn’t empty the Recycle Bin
- You didn’t use Shift + Delete
- The file wasn’t deleted from removable storage directly
If the file is there, this is the safest and fastest recovery you’ll ever do.
Method 2: Recover Files Using Windows File History (Built-In Backup)
If the Recycle Bin doesn’t help, the next step is checking File History, a built-in Windows backup feature that many users overlook.
File History automatically backs up files from locations such as:
- Desktop
- Documents
- Pictures
- Music
- Videos
If this feature was enabled earlier, your deleted files may still be stored in previous backups.
How to Access File History Recovery
Start by opening Settings, then search for the word file. From the suggestions, click on Restore your files with File History.
You’ll see a dashboard that lists different folders where backups exist. From here:
- Choose the folder where the file was originally stored (Desktop, Documents, etc.)
- Browse through available backup versions
- Check the backup date and time
- Select the file you want
- Click Restore
For example, if you deleted a file from the Documents folder and your last backup was created on November 26, 2025, you’ll be able to recover the version that existed at that time.
Important Limitation
If you don’t see any folders or backup history here, then File History was likely disabled before the file was deleted. In that case, this method won’t work for past data.
However, for future protection, you should enable it:
- Open Windows Search
- Type File History
- Click File History
- Turn it on
This won’t recover already lost data, but it can save you next time.
Method 3: Recover Permanently Deleted Data Using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
When files are permanently deleted — either from the Recycle Bin, external drives, or using Shift + Delete — Windows built-in tools are often not enough. This is where professional recovery software becomes useful.
One of the most popular and effective tools for this purpose is EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
Official website:
https://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/free-data-recovery-software.htm
This tool scans storage devices at a deeper level and significantly improves the chances of recovering lost files from:
- Internal hard drives
- SSDs
- USB pen drives
- External HDDs
- SD cards
How the Recovery Process Works
After installing the software and opening it, you’ll see a clean dashboard showing different recovery locations:
- Internal drives
- External drives
- Recycle Bin
- Desktop
- Specific folders
For demonstration, imagine a USB pen drive containing:
- Two images
- One video
- One PDF
- One setup file
After deleting all these files and clearing the Recycle Bin, the drive appears completely empty.
Now, inside EaseUS:
- Select the USB drive from External Drives
- Click Search for lost data
- The software begins scanning the device
- Files are categorized by type (Images, Videos, Documents, etc.)
Scanning time depends on:
- Drive size
- Amount of deleted data
- Storage type (HDD vs SSD)
If you find your files early, you can stop the scan and proceed.
Recovering the Files Safely
Once your files appear:
- Select the files you want to recover
- Click Recover
- Choose a recovery location different from the original drive
EaseUS recommends safe recovery locations with a green tick. For example, recovering data from a USB drive to an external SSD is a good choice.
Once recovery completes, you’ll be able to open and verify the files — images, videos, PDFs, and more.
Free vs Paid Limitation
The free version allows recovery of up to 2 GB of data.
If your lost data exceeds this limit, you’ll need to consider a paid plan.
Method 4: Recover Formatted or Deeply Deleted Data Using PhotoRec (Free Tool)
If your drive was formatted or data was wiped completely, standard recovery tools may struggle. In such cases, PhotoRec can help.
Official website:
https://www.cgsecurity.org/
PhotoRec is:
- Completely free
- Extremely powerful
- Text-based (command-line style)
It works by scanning raw disk data and reconstructing files based on signatures.
How PhotoRec Recovery Works
After downloading the Windows 64-bit version:
- Extract the ZIP file
- Run photorec_win.exe
- A command-line interface opens
You’ll see a list of:
- Internal drives
- External drives
- USB devices
Use the arrow keys to:
- Select the drive where data was lost
- Choose the correct file system (FAT, NTFS, etc.)
- Follow the on-screen prompts to begin scanning
PhotoRec doesn’t rely on file names or folders. Instead, it:
- Recovers files based on file type
- Stores recovered files in newly created folders
This makes it especially useful for formatted drives, though recovered files may not retain original names.
Success Rate Reality Check
While PhotoRec is powerful, it:
- Requires patience
- Lacks a graphical interface
- May recover a large number of unrelated files
Still, many users — including real-world tests — have successfully recovered formatted data using it.
Important Things to Keep in Mind Before Recovery
Data recovery success depends heavily on what you do next.
- Stop using the affected drive immediately
- Avoid installing recovery software on the same drive
- Recover files to a different storage device
- The sooner you act, the higher the success rate
Every write operation reduces the chances of successful recovery.
Final Thoughts
Data loss can feel permanent, but in reality, it often isn’t — at least not immediately. Whether your files were casually deleted, permanently removed, or even lost after formatting, there are still ways to recover them if you follow the right steps.
Start with Windows’ built-in options, then move to recovery software only when needed. The key is acting quickly and choosing the right method based on how the data was lost.
Disclaimer
Data recovery is never guaranteed. Recovery success depends on drive condition, data overwrite status, and time elapsed since deletion. Always back up important files regularly to avoid permanent data loss.
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