How to Recover Deleted Files From a Computer
You use your computer for so many things. It is inevitable that at some point you will accidentally delete an important file. All is not lost, however. You can recover deleted files from a computer with a few simple steps.
Instructions
-
-
1
First check the recycle or trash bin on your computer. Just about every file goes into this folder when you delete it, just in case you change your mind. Open the recycle or trash bin and find the file you want to recover. Click on it and select the restore option.
-
2
If you have already emptied the recycle bin or deleted the file from a zip drive, you need to use a file recovery program to restore your file.
-
-
3
Stop using the computer until you have recovered the deleted file. When you delete a file, it is still on your drive; the computer has just removed access to it. As long as the file has not been overwritten by something else, you can recover it. The longer you wait and the more you use your computer, the less chance you have of getting the file back.
-
4
Download a file recovery software to recover your deleted files. There are many types of file recovery software available, both to buy and for free. Download the file onto a separate hard drive, external drive or zip drive so you don't risk overwriting your deleted file.
-
5
Attach the drive with the recovery software to the drive with your deleted file. Run the program. Each program is different, so follow the directions to scan your drive and recover the deleted file.
-
6
If you deleted a file from a zip drive, you can download the file recovery program to your computer. Plug the zip drive into the USB port and scan it with the program to recover any deleted files.
-
1