How to Recover Deleted Zip Files

A ZIP file is a compressed version of a data file and is used to shrink down the size of a particular file (or group of files) for storage purposes. However, if you have deleted the ZIP file from your computer only to discover later you need the file, you must attempt to recover the data file. There are a few different methods of recovering the ZIP file, ranging from searching your hard drive to obtaining a recovery program.

Things You'll Need

• File-recovery software

Instructions

1. Double-click the "Recycle Bin" icon. If you have recently deleted the file but haven't emptied the Recycle Bin, the file is located there. Right-click the ZIP file if you find it, and choose "Restore" to place the ZIP file back into its original location.

2. Locate the extracted contents of the ZIP file. If you locate this information, right-click the file, choose ZIP, and the ZIP programming appears on the screen. Select a location to save the ZIP file to, then click "OK" to create the ZIP file.

3. Download and install a file recovery program (such as "Recover Files," "File Recover" and "Easeus Partition Master Home Edition"; see "Resources"). Launch the program then choose "Scan." The program scans over the hard drive and comes up with a list of all the files it is able to restore. Check off the ZIP file, then click "Recover." Momentarily, the ZIP file is saved back to its original location.

References

• CNET: Recover File Downloads

Resources

• CNET Download: Recover Files
• CNET Download: File Recover
• CNET Download: Easeus Partition Master Home Edition