How to Retrieve Deleted Temp Files
Any temp file you delete goes directly to the Windows Recycle Bin. Temp files are created when you open a file or install software. Deleting temp files is a beneficial procedure to clear files and restore some hard drive space. If you later realize that you need to recover the temp files, you can browse the Recycle Bin and restore them to the temp file directory. Or you may need to use third-party recovery software.
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Instructions
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Windows Recycle Bin
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Click the Windows "Start" button on your computer. Type "desktop icons" in the menu text box displayed. Press "Enter" to open a Windows desktop icon preferences utility.
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Click "Show or hide common icons on the desktop" to open a window. The Recycle Bin, My Computer, and Network icons are a few desktop icons you can show and hide. Click "Recycle Bin" to show the icon on the desktop. Click "OK" to save your icon changes.
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3
Double-click "Recycle Bin." A window opens with a list of deleted temp files. You can sort your list by clicking the "Organize" icon in the top-right corner of your window and selecting "Details." Click the "Original Location" to sort the files. Scroll down to the "Temp" directory section.
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Click the temp file you want to restore. Click "Restore this item." The temp file transfers from the deleted section of your hard drive to the temp directory. Close the Recycle Bin window when you complete the transfer.
Third Party Software
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Download an application to recover your temporary files. Two applications include Recuva and TestDisk (see Resources).
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Click the Windows "Start" button and select "All Programs." Click the program group and shortcut for the recovery software you chose to install.
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Scan your disk for deleted files. For instance, if you chose Recuva, click the "Scan" button to scan your drive. Click each temporary file you want to recover and click "Recover."
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