Data is the engine that drives your work. As such, you should know some of the best ways to safeguard your computer from data loss. This is because data loss happens without warning and will many times be as a result of human action rather than natural. If you are on Windows 11, then so many ways to recover deleted data are at your disposal.
When files are deleted from Windows 11 computers, they are immediately sent to the Recycle Bin. This is a systemic tool built as a precautionary measure to secure unintentionally deleted data. It also saves your day just in case you change your mind later after deleting some data. Still, some people use the Recycle Bin as a way to relieve some space temporarily for additional data which they later remove and reinstate the initial files from the bin.
However, to permanently delete data is totally a different case. This is because the process bypasses the Recycle Bin and you will not find the deleted files there. You either used the shift button or emptied the bin intentionally or accidentally. You can learn how to retrieve files once the recycle bin is emptied here. This guide will help you learn the different ways to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11.
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Are Your Files Really Gone?
Before you explore the methods for recovering permanently deleted files, check your computer to be certain that the files are really gone. Here’s how.
- Check the recycle bin: This should be your first stop. If the files are missing, then search the entire storage.
- Use search: Tap on the search button and type the name of files you just lost. You can also search by name of folder.
- File Explorer: Open Explorer on windows 11 and search for the files or folders by name. you can also search files by file extension e.g., *.jpg if you lost photos.
Can I Recover Permanently Deleted Files?
Yes, you can still recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11 if you move with speed. For best results, stop using your computer immediately and begin the recovery process with any of the methods described in the next section.
How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 11
In this section, we will illustrate in detail some of the best methods you can use to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11.
Method 1: Use a Third-Party Recovery Software (Recommended)
This is the best way to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 11. And, that is why we recommend using the best data recovery software. Of course, there are many third-party apps that claim to recover permanently deleted files. Do not trust just any!
Choosing the best app should be an easy process. Check reviews on their website, check if they offer free trial versions, compatibility with your system, affordability, customer support among other factors. Why is Disk Drill developed by CleverFiles highly rated? It is one of the proven methods to recover deleted files in Windows 11 among other storage devices. Besides, it passes all the filters and offers unbeatable customer support.
The software has a quick action algorithm that quickens its search and scan process. Below are some of its critical features you must know before running your scans with it.
- Free file scanning and previewing offered
- Recovery for multiple file types such as JPG, TIFF, FAT, WAV, MP3, etc.
- Supports recovery from nearly all storage devices including cameras and camcorder
To recover permanently deleted files with Disk Drill, follow the steps outlined below.
Step 1: Scan for deleted files
Download and install the software in your Windows 11 computer before undertaking this process. To proceed, select the drive where the files were stored before being permanently deleted then tap “Scan.” In just a few minutes or seconds, your scan results should be ready.
Step 2: Filter the Lost Files
The scan will most likely find several files from the deep searches. Some of these files may not be within your interest for recovery. Do not be worried as you can filter what you need by using the “Type” and “Path” options. Besides, the large number of files found by the scan is to your advantage as you may end up recovering additional files deleted earlier without your knowledge.
Step 3: Recover Deleted Files
Once you have filtered the files you need, locate the “Recover” button and click on it to start recovery. Choose new storage for your files to improve your user experience. This will help you stop overwriting other files. And, hurray! Your permanently deleted files are back to your drive.
Method 2: Restore from OneDrive Recycle Bin
Microsoft has a cloud storage service known as OneDrive that’s built-in to Windows 11 and helps you work remotely. This tool will help you recover deleted files. It’s simple, follow the three steps below.
Step 1: Sign in to your OneDrive account.
Step 2: Tap on the Recycle Bin icon.
Step 3: Right-click on the folder or file you need to recover and tap “Restore.”
Method 3: Restore from File History
This is a Windows 11 backup solution that helps you recover permanently deleted files and even to restore lost settings and drives etc. it must however have been configured on your computer before your files were permanently deleted. If this is the case, proceed as below.
Step 1: Press “Windows Key + S” to search File History.
Step 2: Tap on the option that reads “Restore your files with File History.”
Step 3: Locate 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: Choose 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
If you upgraded from Windows 10, the methods for recovering permanently deleted files are pretty much the same for Windows 11. We recommend using the three methods described in this article as a first priority for best results. Besides, once your files are recovered, we recommend you implement a backup plan to add another layer to your recycle bin recovery scheme.
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