There are those occasions when you feel your windows computer is not working properly. Many people use this time to trigger system restore. By restoring your Operating System to an earlier version when your computer drives were at their best, you get the opportunity to enjoy the best functionality with your machine again.
However, system restore comes with a flip side which many people may not like. If you perform it without backing up your files, you end up losing them. But can they be recovered? In this article, we provide more answers than questions to this among other concerns including how to recover deleted files after performing system restore.
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Can I get Back Files after System Restore?
You might be wondering whether it is still possible to restore files lost during system restore. Simple, the answer is yes. There are many strategies to get back your files on a Windows 11 computer among others including the use of a data recovery tool. There are so many tools today and depending on the type and size of data lost, you can choose to use free or paid versions any time.
How to Recover Files After System Restore on Windows 10/11
Let’s now take a deep dive into some of the best methods for performing data recovery after system restore on Windows 10 and 11.
Method 1: Recover with Disk Drill Windows Data recovery Tool
As we mentioned, there are several data recovery tools in the market today. However, not all perform as they claim. An ideal recovery tool should have the following properties.
Ability to restore original folder and file structures and names
A good data recovery software such as Disk Drill by CleverFiles will restore the original folder structure and file names of the data lost. This makes it easier to identify the data and keep them organized even after recovery.
Great Usability
A good data recovery software should have all its features and functions easy to locate and use. A great user experience is what you need to easily and quickly recover your files. A great user interface will reduce your learning time especially if you are a beginner. It will also help you initiate the recovery process faster without wasting more time to learn the functionality.
Support for signature scanning
A signature scan helps you attempt reconstructing the files based on known patterns especially when the data is not recoverable through quick scan. Every available software comes with its own database of patterns that can determine files that can be reconstructed to make your recovery seamless.
Easy scanning and recovery
A good data recovery for a PC makes the scanning process simple and easy. They incorporate features such as smart scanning that helps reduce the number of scans required to restore lost files.
Disk Drill bears all these properties and is the main reason why we choose it for all recovery jobs. Other reasons why we pick Disk Drill include:
- Support for a wide range of file systems including NTSF, FAT16, FAT32 and exFAT
- Support for external devices such as hard drives and solid-state drives
- Highest data recovery efficiency with up to 100% data recovery with deep scan
To proceed with this recovery method, follow the steps described below.
Step 1: Begin by downloading and installing the software in the same drive you want to recover data.
Step 2: Choose the drive where system restore was recently performed then click “search for lost data.”
Step 3: Review the list of files that have been found after the scan is complete. Filter the files by clicking on the colored file type icons if necessary. Otherwise, tap on the “Recover all” icon to proceed with file restore.
Step 4: Choose the data to be restored. You can also use the dropdown to reveal file size, date modified, file type, and even recovery chances. Tap “Recover.”
Step 5: Select a new location to restore the files by selecting a predefined one or tapping “Choose destination” to customize one. Complete the process by clicking “Next.”
Note that the free version of this software supports recovery of up to 500 MB only. If you lost larger files, you will need to switch to a premium version of Disk Drill by purchasing a license. You can always check the official Disk Drill’s website for discounts.
The software helps you out even in the most daring situations. Other than system restore, Disk Drill will recover lost files after Windows update and Windows factory reset. Besides, the tool is also very safe to use.
Method 2: Recover Data with Backup
Backup still remains the best way to protect your files. This is because backed up data will always be available to you when you need it. Backup and restore has been a Windows feature for a long time. Although it has been taken over by File History, it still remains a windows system reliability tool.
If you are on a Windows 10 computer, follow the steps below to restore your lost files.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
Step 2: Click “Updates & Security.”
Step 3: Click “Backup” available on the left panel and tap “Go to backup and Restore.”
Step 4: Tap “Restore my files” followed by “Browse for files or Browse for folders” and choose the data to be restored.
Step 5: Click “Next” then “Restore.”
This method also helps you to restore lost settings and drives etc. in Windows 11. It must however have been configured on your Windows 11 computer before system restore was done. If this was the case, then proceed as below to recover your files with File History on Windows 11.
Step 1: Press “Windows Key + S” to search File History.
Step 2: Click on the option that reads “Restore your files with File History.”
Step 3: Find the folder where your files were initially stored. Use the right and left navigation buttons to view the different versions of the backed-up files or folders.
Step 4: Select the version you want to restore and tap the green button to “Restore.” If you prefer to restore to a different location, click the “Restore to” button instead (recommended).
Conclusion
As you have just learnt, it is pretty easy to restore lost files on Windows 10/11. Besides, there are many techniques for restoring lost files in Windows 10 and other devices other than the two methods we described. All in all, data recovery software will be your best bet if you lose files after system restore.
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