How to Retrieve Deleted Data
It's all too easy to accidentally delete files you actually want to keep, especially if you think you're done with the file, only to realize afterward that you aren't. Many people think that a deleted file is gone forever, but this isn't actually the case. Many files can be recovered after they are deleted, provided the data hasn't been completely overwritten on the hard drive. Here's how to go about attempting to recover deleted data using a Windows operating system.
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Instructions
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Open the recycle bin from your desktop or within Windows Explorer. If you haven't emptied the recycle bin since the file was deleted (and you didn't hold down the Shift key while deleting it), the file should still be found in the recycle bin. Right-click on the file you want to recover and choose the "Restore" option; the file will be recovered to the location from which it was deleted.
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If you have emptied the recycle bin, it's still possible to recover the deleted file. For this, you will need some form of undelete software, such as Uneraster or WinUndelete. Install the software on your computer and launch the program in order to begin the data-recovery process.
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Depending on whether or not the data has been overwritten, you should be able to recover the deleted files and restore them to the locations they occupied before they were deleted. In order to improve the chances of your files being recovered, you should attempt to undelete them as quickly as possible after realizing they had been deleted by mistake.
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If you realize that you have accidentally deleted data but aren't able to quickly install undelete software, you can greatly reduce the chances of your data being overwritten by not saving anything to the drive the deleted data was held on. Should that drive be your main or only drive, the best way to do this is to shut down your computer and not use it again until you are able to install your undelete software. If possible, you should purchase undelete software that can be placed on a bootable CD, since you will then be able to run your data recovery without the risk of the operating system itself overwriting your data while running its standard processes.
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Tips & Warnings
Some programs add features to your recycle bin that allow you to wipe the data instead of simply deleting it; this causes the deletion process to actually overwrite the data with several layers of nonsense data to prevent recovery. Before using such a feature, make sure you won't need to undelete any of the files in the recycle bin, since they will be unrecoverable afterward.
