How to Undelete Files in Windows XP
Sometimes, you may accidentally delete a file on your computer that you didn't mean to remove. When this happens, it's important not to panic. While it may seem like there is no way to get your file back, there actually are a few steps you can take to try to recover your missing data. As soon as you realize the file is missing, you should take recovery steps; the longer you wait, the harder it may be to recover your file.
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Instructions
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Check your computer's "Recycle bin." The file may not have been deleted completely and instead may have been moved to the Recycle bin. Usually, you will have the Recycle bin icon on your desktop. Double click this icon, then look through the files listed, or use the search function and type in the name of your missing file. If you find the file, select it, click "File" then "Restore."
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Purchase a file recovery program. Programs like Restoration, Uneraser, and File Recover work to catch a file before it is deleted for good from your computer. If you download a program from the Internet rather than purchasing a physical copy, make sure you download it on a computer other than the one you need to run the recovery on. Burn the program to a disk after purchase.
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Insert the file recovery program software disk into the drive of the computer on which you need to perform the file recovery. Run the program from the disk rather than installing it. Follow the program's recovery instructions to find your file.
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Tips & Warnings
When you delete a file, it's not necessarily wiped from your hard drive. Rather, that file's space is opened, so newly-saved data can overwrite it. That's why, when you're trying to recover a deleted file, you shouldn't save anything to your hard drive, because the new data could overwrite the file you're attempting to recover.
If the file recovery tools don't work for you, you can hire a data recovery company to try to find your file. They charge a large amount of money, however, and they may not always find your file. However, if the deleted file is worth the trouble, this may be your best bet.
