Deleting files from your computer, phone, or other devices can be frustrating when you realize you still need them. Thankfully, in many cases, it is possible to recover deleted files and restore them to their original location. There are a few different methods you can use, depending on the type of device, the reason for deletion, and how long ago the file was deleted.
Can You Recover Deleted Files?
In general, when you delete a file, it is not immediately erased from your device’s storage. Instead, the reference to the file’s location on your storage drive is removed from your operating system’s index. The actual file contents remain on the drive until that space is overwritten by new data.
As long as the file contents have not been overwritten, recovery software can scan the drive and rebuild the file for you to retrieve it. However, the longer a file has been deleted, the more likely the operating system will have overwritten that space with new data, making recovery impossible.
Factors That Affect File Recovery
There are several key factors that determine your chances of recovering a deleted file:
- Time since deletion – The less time that has passed, the higher the odds of recovery.
- Drive usage – If the drive has been heavily used since deletion, recovery is less likely.
- File size – Larger files take up more space and are easier to recover.
- File system – Some file systems handle deletion and overwrite differently.
In general, your best chance of recovery is within hours or days of deletion, before substantial new data has been written to the drive.
How to Recover Deleted Files
Here are some steps you can take to attempt to recover deleted files, based on the device and deletion circumstances:
1. Use Device Recycle Bin
If you have deleted a file recently on your Windows computer, Mac, smartphone, tablet, USB drive, or other device, check the Recycle Bin or Trash folder. Your device’s operating system may store deleted files there before final deletion.
To restore from the Recycle Bin in Windows:
- Open the Recycle Bin – click the icon on your desktop or in the Start menu.
- Locate the deleted file(s).
- Right-click on the file and select Restore.
On a Mac, open the Trash folder and drag files back to their original location.
2. Use Recovery Software
If the file is no longer in the Recycle Bin, use data recovery software to scan the drive and recover files. Some options include:
- Windows – Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery, TestDisk
- Mac – EaseUS, TestDisk
- Linux – TestDisk, Photorec
These tools scan the drive and rebuild files based on directory entries and drive contents. Install the software, select the drive to scan, and choose file types to recover. The software will recover restorable files to another drive.
3. Restore from Backup
If you regularly back up your files or device, you may be able to restore the deleted files from a backup. Connect the drive or access the backup service and navigate to the point before the files were deleted. Restore files from that backup to your device.
4. Use Drive Recovery Services
For difficult recovery cases, you can enlist a data recovery service. These experts use specialized tools in a controlled environment to attempt recovering data from damaged drives. This can be expensive but may be your last resort for important files.
Tips to Prevent File Deletion
Prevent needing file recovery in the first place by:
- Being extremely careful when deleting files.
- Backing up religiously using cloud backup or external drives.
- Using your device Recycle Bin to recover quickly.
- Utilizing multiple saved versions or file history if available.
Can You Recover Files After Factory Reset?
If you have performed a factory reset on your computer or phone, restoring deleted files becomes much more difficult. A factory reset erases all data on the device to restore to original settings.
You will not be able to recover files from the Recycle Bin or backups on that device. However, recovery software can sometimes still scan the drive and find file fragments that have not yet been overwritten. This depends on how much new data has been written since the reset.
Your other option is to attempt to recover files from an external backup not on the device. Otherwise, it is very unlikely you can restore files after a factory reset.
Can You Recover Permanently Deleted Files?
Files deleted from your Recycle Bin or Trash folder are typically considered permanently deleted. However, as long as the file contents still exist on the storage drive and have not been overwritten, recovery is often possible.
Recovery software scanning a drive after permanent deletion can still find the file directory entries and restore the files. However, your chances diminish significantly the longer the file has been permanently deleted.
How to Recover Deleted Files from an SD Card
SD cards and other removable media can sometimes have corrupt file tables or partitioning that make deleted files hard to access. You may be able to recover deleted files from an SD card using a few methods:
- Insert the SD card into a computer or device and check the Recycle Bin or Trash for the files.
- Use recovery software to scan the SD card and rebuild files from the data on the card.
- Attach the SD card to a Linux system and use TestDisk to rebuild the partition table and recover data.
Because SD cards are removable and prone to switching devices, quick action is recommended to recover deleted files before substantial new data is written.
How to Recover Deleted Photos
To recover deleted photos, the first step is always to check the Recycle Bin or Trash. If the photos are no longer there, photo recovery software has great capabilities for recovering image and media files. Some options include:
- Windows – Recuva, Disk Drill
- Mac – EaseUS, Disk Drill
- Linux – TestDisk, Photorec
These tools examine drive contents looking for photo file signatures associated with JPG, PNG, RAW, and other image formats. This allows recovering photos even from drives with corrupted directories.
Can You Recover Deleted Facebook Messages?
Unfortunately, recovering deleted Facebook messages is very unlikely. Facebook does not store message history on your local device. Once messages are deleted within the Facebook app or website, they are typically gone for good.
Your only chance might be if you had previously synced your Facebook messages to an email app or other external storage. In that case, the synced messages may still be accessible even if deleted from Facebook.
Recovering Lost Files After a Computer Crash
A computer crash or failed hard drive presents challenges for file recovery. When the operating system fails to boot, you cannot access the files normally. However, crashes rarely erase file contents stored on the drive platters.
To recover files after a system crash:
- Remove the drive and connect to another system as an external drive using USB, eSATA, etc.
- Use recovery software to scan the external drive and rebuild directory entries and files.
- Once files are recovered, back up data and reinstall OS on original computer.
This allows you to access the drive from an external perspective to recover files without booting the original system.
Recovering Unsaved or Corrupted Documents
If a program or computer crash caused unsaved changes or file corruption, you may be able to recover an earlier version of the document.
- Microsoft Office – Check Temporary Files and Versions history for recoverable data.
- LibreOffice – View Backup Copies and AutoRecovery directory for document reversions.
- Google Docs – Check Revision History and Restore feature.
For more severe corruption, try repair tools for the specific document type that can rebuild contents using recovered embedded data and metadata.
Can Data Be Recovered After Formatting a Drive?
Formatting a drive erases all its data by recreating the file system and directory structure. However, the actual contents often still reside intact on the drive platters until being overwritten.
File recovery software can scan the formatted drive and recover files by looking for old directory entries and file signatures. However, recovery becomes less likely as more new data is written after formatting.
Data Recovery Software Recap
Here are some of the best data recovery software tools for various devices and operating systems:
| Operating System | Top Data Recovery Software |
|---|---|
| Windows | Recuva, EaseUS, Disk Drill, TestDisk |
| Mac OS X | EaseUS, Disk Drill, TestDisk |
| Linux | TestDisk, Photorec |
Conclusion
While accidentally deleting important files can be stressful, in most cases, recovery is possible using the right software and techniques. Keys to improving your chances include restoring from recycle bins quickly, using read-only recovery tools, and avoiding writing new data to the associated drives.
Backing up your files regularly provides an additional layer of protection in case deletion occurs. With the right preparation and response, you can often restore accidentally deleted files and get back to business as usual.
