How to Find Deleted Files After a System Restore

Performing a system restore autotmatically backs up your computer in the event of a crash.

Newer computer models include a system recovery disk in the original packaging accompanying your device. Should your computer happen to crash, you can perform a system recovery on it, after which all your files will automatically be backed up and stored on your computer. You may have to reregister your computer prior to regaining access to its desktop.

Instructions

1. Click on the Start button in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.

2. Select the "My Computer" link, located in the right hand column of the Start menu. The "My Computer" section lists all the drives currently on your computer. Double-click on the C drive icon.

3. Look for a folder named "My Backup--Date of Recovery." The date listed on the folder indicates which day a system recovery was performed on your computer. Double-click on this folder. Your files will appear in the exact folders you previously created and named.

Tips & Warnings

• The system recovery is not always a full-proof process. The total number of files that get automatically backed up is based on the amount of available space left on your computer's hard drive. If you had already used up much of your computer's hard drive prior to the recovery, all of your files may or may not be recovered.

• Therefore, it is to your benefit--especially if you use your computer mainly for work-related tasks--to back up files that you have saved onto your computer to an external drive, including USB drives. Since you cannot predict when your computer may crash, backing up your files once every month, at minimum, prevents the hassle of having to recover or recreate lost files, post crash.