Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: From the Trash
• Part 2 of 4: Using a backup
• Part 3 of 4: Using a Legacy Version
• Part 4 of 4: Using Recuva
• Tips
• Warnings

If you accidentally deleted a file or folder on your Windows 7 computer, you can restore it from the Recycle Bin. However, if you have already emptied the trash, you will have to restore a backup of the file; if this fails, use the special program Recuva, which finds and restores deleted files.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: From the Trash

1. 1 Double click on the trash can icon. It's on the desktop.
2. 2 Right click on the deleted file.
3. 3 Click on Restore.
4. 4 Close the trash can window. The deleted file will be restored to the folder from which you deleted it.

Part 2 of 4: Using a backup

1. 1 Click on ⊞ Win. Windows 7 automatically backs up files; if you've deleted files, you can restore them from a backup.
2. 2 Click on Control Panel.
3. 3 Click on system and safety.
4. 4 Click on Archiving and restoring.
5. 5 Click on Recover files.
6. 6 Select the files you want to recover. You can find the files you need in the backups in three ways:
   • Click on Search and enter the file name.
   • Click on Search for files and find the files in the respective folders.
   • Click on Find folders and find folders.
7. 7 Click on Further.
8. 8 Select the folder where the files will be restored. You can restore them to their original folder (default) or click on the slider next to "In folder" and then select a folder.
9. 9 Click on View recovered files.
10. 10 Click on To complete. The files will be restored.

Part 3 of 4: Using a Legacy Version

1. 1 Double click on "Computer". If this icon is not on the desktop, click ⊞ Win > Computer (on the right menu pane).
2. 2 Double click on the folder from which you deleted the file. For example, if you deleted a file from the Music folder, double-click it.
3. 3 Right click on the subfolder where the file was stored. For example, if the file was stored in the iTunes subfolder, right-click on it.
4. 4 Click on Revert to a previous version.
5. 5 Select a restore point.
6. 6 Click on OK. If File History is activated on your computer, the file will be restored.

Part 4 of 4: Using Recuva

1. 1 Open the program website Recuva. Recuva is a freeware program that searches the disk for deleted files and restores them. Keep in mind that in fact, the deleted files are still on the hard drive, so some of them can be recovered.
2. 2 Click on Free Download (Free download).
3. 3 Click on the download link.
4. 4 Wait for the installation file to download to your computer. Look for the file in your downloads folder.
5. 5 Double click on the downloaded file. When prompted, allow me to install Recuva.
6. 6 Click “No thanks, I don’t need CCleaner”.
7. 7 Click on Install (Install).
8. 8 Click on Run recuva (Start Recuva). To skip information about the current release, uncheck the "View Release Notes" box below the button. Install (Install).
9. 9 Click on Next (Further).
10. 10 Select the file type. If you're not sure which type to choose, check the box next to “All files”.
    • It will take a long time to find all the files.
11. 11 Click on Next (Further).
12. 12 Select the folder from which you deleted the file. If you don’t know which folder to select, check the box next to “I’m not sure”.
13. 13 Click on Next (Further).
14. 14 Click Start. If you are looking for files a second time, also check the box next to “Enable Deep Scan”.
15. 15 Check the boxes next to the files you want to recover.
16. 16 Click on Recover (Restore).
17. 17 Select the folder where the files will be restored.
18. 18 Click on OK. The files will be restored.

Tips

• Recuva is an excellent file recovery program, but you can use another similar program (for example, MiniTool Data Recovery).

Warnings

• If, after deleting files, you are actively using your computer (writing down and deleting other files), the chances of successful file recovery are reduced.