Retrieving Deleted Data

Delete Button

It surprises many people to know that when they delete files from their computer, the file is not really deleted. You may not be able to see it, but all of the data is still sitting on your hard drive, in the exact same place it was located before you hit the delete key. The difference is that the computer's File Allocation Tables now show that section of the hard drive as being available. This means that the space may eventually be overwritten and used as storage space for a new file. Until that happens, the data is still on the hard drive and can be recovered. If you have deleted a file and would like to retrieve the data, follow these steps to learn how.

Things You'll Need

• Data recovery software

Instructions

1. Check the recycle bin to see if your data is there. A deleted file will usually be listed in the recycle bin, unless you have emptied the bin since the time the file was deleted. If it is still there, all you have to do is click once on the file name to highlight it, then click the "Restore this item" link on the left side of the screen. If the item is no longer in the recycle bin, proceed to the next step.

2. Select a data recovery software program to use. There are many programs that are affordable, and several of them even come with a free trial so that you can use the program a few times without paying anything. Smart Undelete is one popular choice. That program and others can be found in the Resources section, below.

3. Download the software program you selected and install it on your computer. The program will consist primarily of an executable (exe) file. Be warned that your computer may ask you if you are sure you want to run the program, since viruses are sometimes spread through executable files. If you have downloaded the software from a trusted source, it is ok to authorize the installation to put the data retrieval software on your computer.

4. Open the program. When you install the software, it will probably put an icon on your computer desktop. Double-click on this icon to open the software. If there is no desktop icon, click Start, then click Programs and look for the software to be listed in the list of programs. The software typically highlights new programs to make them easier to find.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the program to scan your computer's hard drive. The software will locate all data that has been deleted on the computer and ask you which items you want to retrieve. If you see a file or other data that you want to restore, simply identify it on the list and let the software do the work of retrieving the deleted file for you.

Tips & Warnings

• When you retrieve the deleted file, it will be placed back in the location it was originally at. If you can not remember the original file location, click "Start" then click "Search" to find the location of the data on your computer.

Resources

• Smart Undelete Software
• Programs to Retrieve Lost Data