How to Restore Deleted Data on Any Device

Published: 16 Jun 2025

How to Recover Deleted Files

Every year, millions of people lose important data by accident, but there’s good news: you can often get it back. Ever wondered how to recover deleted files after you’ve emptied the Recycle Bin or formatted a drive? It’s frustrating to lose family photos, work documents, or school projects with no idea how to restore them. Whether it happened during a quick cleanup or by mistake, learning how to recover deleted files can save you from starting all over again.

Table of Content

How to Recover Deleted Files
Understand What Happens When You Delete a File
1. Real-Life Example:
Quick Methods to Recover Deleted Files
Use Free File Recovery Software
What If You Can’t Recover It?
Conclusion About How to Recover Deleted Trash Files
FAQS

Understand What Happens When You Delete a File

Deleting a file doesn’t always mean it’s gone forever. When you press Delete, the file usually goes to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). It just moves to a hidden folder, not erased from your device.

But if you empty the bin or use Shift + Delete, the file skips the bin and becomes invisible. It’s still on your hard drive, but the system marks the space as free. New files may overwrite it.

Real-Life Example:

Let’s say you delete a photo by mistake. If you open the Recycle Bin and restore it, it’s back in seconds. But if you emptied the bin, you may need recovery software before it’s gone for good.

Key Tip: Stop using your device right after deletion. The more you use it, the higher the chance your lost file gets overwritten.

Quick Methods to Recover Deleted Files

There are a few quick and easy ways to recover deleted files, even if you think they’re gone for good.

Check the Recycle Bin or Trash

Open it, find your file, right-click, and click “Restore.”

Use File History or Backup Tools

Windows: File History
Mac: Time Machine
Restore files from a saved version.

Try Free Recovery Software

Use tools like Recuva, PhotoRec, or Disk Drill.
Scan your drive, preview files, and recover them.

Check Cloud Storage

Look in Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Many services keep deleted files for 30 days.

Use a USB or External Backup

If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in and copy the file back.

Tip: Try simple steps first (like checking the Recycle Bin) before using software or services.

Use Free File Recovery Software

Free recovery tools can help you bring back files that aren’t in the Recycle Bin. These tools scan your drive and show you what can still be recovered. Many of them are free and easy to use.

Popular options include Recuva, PhotoRec, and Disk Drill. Just install the tool, run a scan, and pick the files you want to save. These work well for photos, documents, videos, and more.

What If You Can’t Recover It?

Sometimes, even the best recovery methods don’t work, so it’s good to know your next options.

Try a Professional Data Recovery Service

These experts can recover files from damaged or failed drives.
It’s a good option when the software doesn’t work.

Be Ready for the Cost

Professional services can be expensive.
Use them only when the files are really important.

Get Started with Cloud Storage

Online file storage is provided by services like Dropbox and Google Drive.
They often save deleted files for up to 30 days.

Set Up Regular Backups

Use an external drive or backup tool.
This protects you from losing files again.

Conclusion About How to Recover Deleted Trash Files

From my experience, using reliable recovery software combined with regular backups is the best way to protect your files. Don’t wait until you lose something important, start learning these methods today to keep your data secure.

FAQS

Is there a way to recover deleted files on PC?

Yes, you can recover deleted files using recovery software or by checking the Recycle Bin if files are not Totally deleted.

How can I recover files that were permanently deleted?

You need special recovery software or tools that can scan your drive and restore permanently deleted files if they are not overwritten.

How to undo permanently deleted photos?

Use photo recovery software to scan your device and recover photos that were permanently deleted.

What’s the best way to recover deleted files from a storage device?

Connect the storage device to your PC and use recovery software to scan and restore deleted files.

Where are deleted files stored?

Deleted files usually go to the Recycle Bin, but if emptied, they stay on the hard drive until overwritten by new data.