Deepti TripathiEvery person unintentionally erases a vital file before understanding they’ve made a mistake. Accidentally deleting important business presentations or simple project doc files remains high on your list of nightmare scenarios. User-deleted files need future access even though they get completely deleted Windows allows file recovery from deleted files through specific recovery methods to recover deleted files on MS Windows. Understanding file recovery possibilities and root causes remains vital information. Reading this guide will provide knowledge about the primary file types along with their recovery causes and restoration methods.
Major File Types to Recovered by Free Edition
File recovery operations require knowledge of common file types including Doc, Excel, PDF, JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc. which we often need to recover.
DOC
This electronic storage format represents a popular alternative to other file formats. Various documentation created through Microsoft Word and OpenOffice and ApplePages word processing applications can be saved under the DOC file category. The files will automatically convert into PDF or DOT formats after you save them, in addition to printing them out directly.
XLS/XLSX (Excel)
The spreadsheet application Excel developed by Microsoft provides users with capabilities to organize data while adding formatting and mathematical calculations and data analytical functions. Data analysts, together with other users have the ability to structure data visualizations that remain accessible regardless of modifications or updates in content. Cells align in rows and columns throughout Excel but create excessive visual complexity for regular users. Productive businesses use this platform primarily in three areas: business analysis, comparative reporting, human resource management, and operational direction.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
PDF document format created by Adobe Systems serves as the primary method of presenting visual content along with written material. These PDF documents house content and present organizational links as well as user buttons and interactive forms and include added audio and video components. Users can build extensive written work through this system. A PDF reader stands as an essential requirement because PDF files enable viewing only through their exclusive viewing application.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
JPEG format stands as an efficient, lightweight solution for digital document use. The document format loads quickly while letting users upload content to different platforms through any size restrictions. JPEG images do not need any dedicated image viewing program to function. JPEG file saving compresses file size, which results in reduced image quality clarity being the sole restriction.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
Every GIF file combines Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) algorithm elements to create its bitmap structure. GIF works as a collection of small picture elements known as pixels, which function much like JPEG and PNG files. GIF files work great when you need to store images with minimal color use and simple shape and logo combinations and basic diagrams. The file supports a transparent background similar to what PNG files display.
MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)
MP4 represents a digital multimedia storage system that maintains integrated audio together with video and subtitle data. There MP4 files maintain smooth playback across all mainstream media players by offering seamless internet streaming capability, which needs no specialized viewing software. MP4 creates compressed file structures which reduce video sizes for seamless web upload.
| Recover Files | Process |
| Recover files from Recycle Bin | Always first attemp is recycle bin for getting back deleted files. |
| Use Windows Backup | These are built in Windows tools that helps to getting back files in a minute. |
Process to Recover Deleted Files on MS Windows
Deleted file recovery process includes retrieving files such as photos, videos, audio files, documents, emails, etc. Regardless of the causes, whether logical or physical, you can use the following DIY methods and tools to recover data under various conditions:
1. Recover files from Recycle Bin
When you accidentally delete a file by pressing the ‘Del’ key, you can restore it from Recycle Bin. From the available files, choose the ones you need to recover and click Restore. Deleted files will be restored to the same folder that contained them before deletion. Follow the below-mentioned steps to recover files from Recycle Bin:
- Go to PC’s “Recycle Bin.”
- Search and select files and folders that you have deleted accidentally.
- Right-click on the selected folders (or files) and click Restore button for collecting the data.
Select files become easier to move through drag-drop functionality to any preferred target.
Files sent to permanent deletion disappear when users press Shift + Delete instead of automatically going to the Recycle Bin. Any files within Recycle Bin that you empty successfully become permanently erased. Permanent file restore requires you to follow the specified procedures.
2. Use Windows Backup Options Built-in Tools
A significant number of users produce system backups that they keep on external hard drives. You can link the backup drive to your system before recovering its stored files.
When system data backup features are enabled by Windows backup utilities you can swiftly recover deleted files on MS Windows that have been lost or deleted.
A. Recover Files via File History Feature
If you’ve enabled the File History feature on your Windows 11 system, you’ll have saved copies of your files. You can retrieve them in case of file deletion, damage, or loss. Follow the given steps to recover permanently deleted files using the File History feature: Go to Start. In the Search bar, type Control Panel to open it.
At first attempt, go to Start. In the Search bar, type Control Panel to open it.
Now, go to System and Security.
Now, select File History or Restore Your Files using File History.
Find the backup and open it.
Select the files or folders you want to recover and then click ‘Restore’.
Now, select the location on data storage device where you would like to store the data.
B. Backup and Restore Files (Windows 7)
Through Backup and Restore on Windows you can retrieve files that Shift delete operation removed. Follow these steps:
Choose control Panel then click System and Security from the available options.
Select Backup and Restore (Windows 7) followed by the option below called Restore files from backup.
Choose between Restore my files or Restore all users’ files.
Choose all the files you want to retrieve from the available list.
Mark all recovery files using the available list selection tool. Move to the next screen by selecting ‘Browse for files or Browse for folder.’
Finish the file recovery process by selecting a destination and then clicking the Restore button.
2. File Recovery using Free Edition to Recover Deleted Files on MS Windows
A. Microsoft’s File Recovery Tool – Unpaid Solution
The Microsoft Windows File Recovery tool enables you to restore permanently deleted files through Shift + Del command without a backup. Windows File recovery can recover every type of data from physical devices, including files, documents and photographs. It has three different modes of operation: default, segment, and signature.
The file recovery software functions best for retrieving files from NTFS drives, where you can operate between the default and segment modes. Switching to Signature mode becomes necessary to restore files when the drive operates with FAT, exFAT or ReFS file systems.
There are a few limitations with this software, such as:
Operating through multiple line commands makes its recovery function complex to understand for people who lack technical expertise.
The software runs exclusively on Windows 10 systems using version 2004 or newer. Users cannot restore files from versions preceding this software version.
Missing or damaged recovery data may appear during the process.
B. BLR Recovery Wizard for Lost Data Free Edition
You can restore Shift-delete files through the Windows 11 system by running powerful data recovery software such as BLR data recovery free edition. Users interested in DIY file recovery can restore every file category, starting from documents to PDFs and Excel files and emails and images alongside videos along with audio files, using this automated tool.
This tool allows you to retrieve all your lost files that disappear in everyday situations from accidental or permanent deletion, format operations, malware intrusion or disk damage incidents. User access to the software requires just a few steps to complete full recovery. Recover Shift deleted files for free by following the given instructions:
- Download and launch BLR for file recovery software for Windows on your system.
- Start your recovery by selecting your target file type, followed by choosing ‘Next’.
- Click scan after selecting your drive/location from the Recover From screen.
- Scanning process will initiate. Results from the scanning process will display on the monitor after completion.
- From your selected list, pick the files you want to restored, then execute with ‘Recover’ button.
- Next step is to use ‘Browse’ to select a different data storage destination from an external hard drive, which will safeguard your files from being overwritten.
- The process ends when you select Start Saving to begin storing the files.
Final Verdict:
Your priority should be to stop adding data after file deletion on your system or external data storage media because new data entries may overwrite existing files. Follow the recovery techniques detailed in this article to recover deleted files on MS Windows through utilizing Windows backup tools (such as File History and Backup & Restore) in addition to Microsoft File Recovery. Beginner users who encounter struggles with Microsoft File Recovery should consider the best alternative option provided by BLR for crash windows recovery. This user-friendly tool enables file recovery of any type when dealing with common data loss situations like erasure or drive reformatting or media corruption.
