If you accidentally deleted a file or folder on your Windows 7 computer, don't worry - you can easily retrieve it from the Recycle Bin! However, if you have already emptied the Recycle Bin, it may be necessary to restore an earlier version of your file history. If even the latter method doesn't work, you can always try using recovery programs like Recuva to scan your hard drive for deleted files.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Retrieve a File from the Recycle Bin
Step 1. Double click on the "Trash"
You should find the program icon on the desktop.
Step 2. Right click on the file you deleted
Step 3. Click Restore
Step 4. Close the Trash
The file you deleted should reappear in its original path!
Part 2 of 4: Restore Files Using a Backup
Step 1. Click ⊞ Win
Windows 7 automatically saves previous versions of files in backups; if you just deleted a file, you may be able to recover it by uploading a backup.
Step 2. Click Control Panel
Step 3. Click System and Maintenance
Step 4. Click Backup and Restore
Step 5. Click Restore my files
Step 6. Click the files you want to recover
You can search for backups in 3 ways:
- Click Search and enter a file name.
- Click Browse for file to manually browse the destination folders.
- Click Browse for Folder to manually search for specific locations.
Step 7. Click Next
Step 8. Click a restore destination
You can restore the file to its original destination (default) or you can click the button next to "In the next location" and choose a path.
Step 9. Click View Restored Files
Step 10. Click Finish
The files should have been restored!
Part 3 of 4: Restore Files from a Previous Version
Step 1. Double click on "This PC"
If you don't see that app on your desktop, click ⊞ Win, then "This PC" on the right side of the menu.
Step 2. Double click on the old file path
For example, if you have deleted a song in the "Music" folder, open it.
Step 3. Right-click on the specific file path
For example, if the song was in the "iTunes" folder, right click on it.
Step 4. Click Restore Previous Versions
Step 5. Click a restore point
Step 6. Click OK
If you have enabled File History, the files should be restored to their original location!
Part 4 of 4: Using Recuva
Step 1. Open the Recuva website
This free program scans your hard drive for deleted files; the files don't really disappear from the disk when you delete them, so you may be able to recover them.
Step 2. Click Free Download
Step 3. Click a download link
Step 4. Wait for the download to finish
Meanwhile, open the download destination folder (e.g. desktop).
Step 5. Double click on the Recuva installation file
If asked, authorize Recuva to access your computer.
Step 6. Click "No thanks, I don't need CCleaner"
This way you give up the installation of an additional program.
Step 7. Click Install
Step 8. Click Run Recuva
If you are not interested in reading the release notes, you can uncheck the "View Release Notes" under the Install button.
Step 9. Click Next
Step 10. Select a file type
If you are not sure what format the file you deleted was, click the button next to "All files".
Scans that span all file types take a long time
Step 11. Click Next
Step 12. Select the file path
If you don't know where to start your search, click the "I'm not sure" button.
Step 13. Click Next
Step 14. Click "Start"
If this is your second time trying to scan with Recuva, also click the "Enable Deep Scan" checkbox, to enable deep scan.
Step 15. Check the boxes next to the files you want to recover
Step 16. Click Recover
Step 17. Click a restore path
For example, you can click on "Desktop".
