How to Recover Deleted Files With a Free Utility
If you've accidentally deleted a document or music file, it can be recovered with an undelete utility. Exact procedures might vary depending on which utility you choose.
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Instructions
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Download a free recovery utility such as "Recover Files" from Downloads.com.
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Install and run the program to display the main program window.
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On the left side, click a check next to the drives you want to search for your deleted files.
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Click the "Analyze" button to search the drive. A status bar shows the progress of the search. When finished, the program shows the files it found in the drive window.
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Sort the results by clicking on the column names at the top. For example, to sort by file name, click "Filename."
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Filter the results by choosing options in the filter area at the bottom, then click the "Filter" button. For example, clicking a check into "All or Part of a Filename," entering "Cher" and clicking "Filter" displays only those files containing "Cher."
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Click a check by the name of one or more files you want to recover. (The file name must have a status of "Very Good.") In this case, the check is by an MP3 file called "Cher--Alive Again."
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Click the "Undelete" button. The location dialog box appears.
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Browse to the folder in which you want the undeleted file to appear, then click the "OK" button. A dialog box appears confirming the file was undeleted.
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Use "My Computer" or Windows Explorer to navigate to the folder you specified and confirm the file was undeleted.
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Tips & Warnings
Recovering a deleted file depends on whether the area used to store the file is overwritten with new information. To increase your chances of recovery, minimize your computer use and use the utility as soon as possible after the deletion.
