How to Recover Recycle Bin Contents on Your Computer

Before Microsoft introduced the "Recycle Bin," an accidentally deleted file could only be recovered if you had the technical know-how to hunt down its remnants. If you didn't, your important data was lost forever. The "Recycle Bin" is a middle ground for deleted files. They are stored there, just in case, until you instruct Windows to permanently delete them. This can come in handy when you delete the wrong file or touch the wrong key.

Instructions

1. Open the "Recycle Bin." The icon for the Recycle Bin looks like a trash can and is found on the Windows desktop. Double click on the icon to open it.

2. Locate the file. The "Recycle Bin" window displays the file name, type, original location and deletion date. If you do not see the options, click on "Views" and select the "Details" option. You can sort by any of the column headers to find the file you accidentally deleted.

3. Restore the file. Single click on the file to highlight it. Right click and select "Restore" from the drop-down menu. This will return the file to its original location and remove it from the "Recycle Bin."

Tips & Warnings

• Before you use the "Empty the Recycle Bin" command, check over the files it contains and restore any files that were incorrectly deleted.

• Do not click "Shift" with "Delete" to delete a file from your computer. This will permanently delete the file without sending it to the "Recycle Bin."

References

• Recover Files From the Recycle Bin