How to Fix a File Accidentally Deleted on the Computer

It's happened to everyone at some point -- you've accidentally deleted a file that you need, and you don't have any backup copies. Luckily, users of Windows have a safety net in the form of the Recycle Bin. This bin catches any files you've deleted and holds onto them for a certain period of time before deleting them completely. If you've deleted a file by mistake, you can reach into the Recycle Bin and pull it right back out.

Instructions

1. Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. This icon looks like a trash bin and, if you've deleted any files recently, will have imagery of paper waste located inside the bin.

2. Locate the file you accidentally deleted inside the Recycle Bin folder and right-click it. Select the "Restore" option to remove the file from the Recycle Bin and send it back to the location it was at before you accidentally deleted it. Alternatively, you can use your mouse to drag an item out of the Recycle Bin and into another folder.

3. To completely clear out the Recycle Bin now that you saved your important file, right-click anywhere inside the bin and choose "Empty Recycle Bin."

4. Click the "X" at the top of the window to close the Recycle Bin.