How to Recover Computer Documents

Your computer crashes. The power goes out. You get a little sloppy with the delete button. Your toddler discovers the keyboard. Whatever the cause, your document is gone. Don't panic just yet--although the methods vary from trivial to fairly complex, there is usually a way to get your data back.

Instructions

General File Recovery (Windows XP)

1. Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon (on the Windows Desktop by default) to open and list all deleted files. If you see the file you are looking for, simply right-click on it and click "Restore" in the pop-up menu. The file will be moved back to its original location.

2. Use the Windows Search utility to make sure you didn't simply misplace the file. Open Windows Explorer and press "Control + F2," then follow the onscreen instructions. You can also access this function by clicking on the Windows Start Menu, then by clicking "Search." You don't have to remember the entire name of the file to use this function, as it will list partial matches. See Reference 1 for more comprehensive information on Windows Search.

3. View and recover permanently deleted files with an "undelete" utility. If the file is not in the Recycle Bin and "Search" didn't turn up any results, the file may have been permanently deleted. You might still be able to recover it, however, by downloading and installing a free utility to perform an "undelete" (see the resources section at the end of this article for a link to such a utility). Exact instructions will depend on the utility you download. Generally, the less you use the computer after deleting a file and emptying the Recycle Bin, the more likely the file will still be intact on the hard drive, and recoverable via this method.

4. Many applications (i.e., Microsoft Word, AutoCAD, etc.) automatically save documents and files to a temporary location as you work on them. If the computer freezes or is shut down for any reason, upon reopening the application you will be presented with a "document restore" function. The details of this process vary from application to application, and not all applications support the functionality. If you aren't sure about a particular application, check its documentation.

5. In the case of critical information loss, as long as the hard drive is still intact, there are data recovery firms who specialize in recovering data even from physically damaged hard drives. This method can be expensive, but is an option in the event of catastrophic computer failure (i.e., damage due floods, fire, etc.). You will need to physically send your hard drive (or the entire computer) in to an expert, so it helps to find a local company.

Tips & Warnings

• The easiest way to prevent data loss is to back up your data. There are now relatively inexpensive systems on the market that simply plug into your computer via USB for Firewire. With the push of a button, it will download a copy of all directories you specifed during setup.

References

• Georgetown University: How to use Windows XP: Using the Search Tool

Resources

• Free "Un-delete" Utility