How to Restore Deleted Files

By: Ellie Lewis

People accidentally delete files all the time. Usually it is easy enough to grab them from the desktop’s recycling bin, but in other cases, it seems as if the file is gone forever. Though restoring a file is not as complicated as hard drive recovery, it can feel as devastating when you see a file evaporate into thin air. If you know how to do data hard drive recovery, it should be relatively easy for you to restore a single file. Even if the file has been permanently deleted, it will still be possible to restore, as long as you follow direction. All you need to do is install a restoration search on your computer and you will be able to recreate the deleted file.

Start the file restoration process by opening the computer’s browser system. You can find a file restoration program fairly easily just by conducting an Internet search. Once you find one you are confident with, download it onto your machine. This can be done by simply clicking the “download” or “download now” button on the page. Once it downloads, install it onto your system. Once it has finished loading, open the program.

You will likely have a few pop-ups that you need to click through. Once you get through these, use the file search button. Follow the steps and the program will begging to search for the lost file. It will bring up the various folders in list form. You can navigate through the selections and look for the area in which the original file was stored. One you find it, click the box next to it. Move through the program and indicate that you want to search the computer if you do not know the original location of the file.

Most programs allow you to restore a number of different file types. You can also click all of these boxes if you do not remember what you saved the file as. Once you have defined the search parameters, click the start button. The program will run and you can then click on “save” or “save files” in the window. Choose where to resave the file and click “ok.” This completes the file restoration process.

Remember, the computer does not delete any files. It writes over the files when new ones are added and changes are made. The file restoration process is easier if you do not save, change or delete any more files after you realize your mistake. The less you do before completing your search, the more likely you will be able to restore what you accidentally deleted. Backing up your system is also helpful, but chances are you will not delete immediately before accidentally deleting something. This means the restoration process is really going to come in handy if you hit delete, empty the recycling bin, and realize you deleted something that you intended to keep. Though it might be a stressful process, you should be able to fix your problem with relative ease. Try not to panic and work your way through the process calmly.