How to Recover Deleted Files From Window XP
If you delete a file in Windows XP, even from the Recycling Bin, it's not gone forever. The file's directory entry is changed so its disk space is available for other programs. As long as you have available hard drive space, you should be able to recover the files with the right utility program. You may find that your deleted files are unavailable in the Recycle Bin. This means the Bin's "INFO" file has been damaged, but it is still possible to recover the files.
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Instructions
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Load the utility software program "Recover My Files" onto your computer. If it's a downloaded program, extract its contents to your hard drive. If it's from a disc, run the program from the disc first and install it after recovering your files if possible to prevent the drive from being rewritten.
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Follow the steps in the program for recovering the file. This usually involves scanning your hard drive for all all deleted files and restoring it by copying it. Restoring the file to another drive so nothing else is overwritten on the source drive.
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Click on the file if it is in the "Recycle Bin" and select "Restore". This command reads the files original path from the "INFO" file, renames it and restores its directory entry.
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Look for and restore the file elsewhere if the Recycle Bin's "INFO" file was damaged. This causes the bin to appear empty when your file is there. In the Start command, go to "Find Files" or "Folders" or "Search" in Windows XP and then rename the deleted file once you've found it.
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Delete the "INFO" file if you are still unable to recover your file. Open a DOS command window by going to "Start" then "Programs" and choosing MS-DOS Prompt. Enter the following commands in order: CD \RECYCLED, ATTRIB -H INF*, DEL INFO*. and EXIT.
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Reboot the system after deleting the "INFO" file. Windows will create a new "INFO" file upon restarting and you may now find the files in the "Recycle Bin" now.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid creating, copying or editing any other files before recovering the deleted ones if possible, especially if your computer has little disk space available. This will prevent your deleted files from being overwritten to free up disk space.
