How to Recover Missing Files in Windows 8.1

November 24, 2021

10 Ways to Recover Lost Files on Your Computer

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When you discover that you accidentally deleted a computer file, your first response is probably to panic. Digital photos, documents and financial records are important parts of your life, and you don't want to lose them. The best course of action depends on the situation and where your lost files were located. Here are 10 possibilities for getting those critical files back.

Check the Recycle Bin

The first step is always to check the Recycle Bin. In many cases, your lost file will be right there waiting for you. This may not be the case if you use programs that automatically empty your Recycle Bin periodically.

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Use the Search Bar

What if you're not sure whether you deleted the file or just can't find it? In that case, click the search bar and type in part of the file name. If it appears, right click and select Open File Location to discover where you put it.

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Look Through Your Cloud Files

Many devices come installed with DropBox, OneDrive or Google Drive, which give you the option to save files to the cloud. This is sometimes a save option in programs such as Microsoft Word. Even if the file is gone from your computer, you can retrieve it from your cloud account.

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Recover Files From Your Backup

For this to work, you need to have the habit of creating a backup of your files regularly. The process doesn't take long using a USB drive for your most important files and photos, and restoring lost files from a backup copy takes seconds.

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Restore Previous Versions of Folders

Sometimes Windows creates auto-recovery points for frequently updated folders, such as My Pictures. To attempt recovery of a deleted or accidentally modified file, right click on the folder and select Restore Previous Versions. If a past version of the folder exists, you can restore it.

Download Software for Data Recovery of Deleted Files

Free and paid data recovery apps, such as Recuva and Ubuntu, can help you recover deleted files. Download these to a USB drive to avoid overwriting key hard drive information. Then run the software and follow the program's instructions as it searches for missing files.

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Recover Files From External Storage Devices

Online data-recovery tools and downloadable software can also search for media files deleted from SD cards, USB drives and even your digital camera's internal memory. This is a huge benefit because external data doesn't go to your Recycle Bin when it's deleted.

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Check for an AutoSave Feature

Many programs have the option to automatically save recovery files of important documents, such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Illustrator. For Word, look for a backup copy of your deleted file with the name "Backup of" and a .wbk file extension.

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Hire a File Recovery Service Professional

Is a burned out hard drive the end of your files? Not necessarily. Professional file recovery teams have special electronic equipment that may be able to recover your data. These services can be pricey, but if the information is very valuable, the cost may be worth it to you.

Boot Using a Windows Recovery Disk USB

What if you accidentally deleted a Windows system file and now your computer doesn't start properly? One option is to boot using a Windows Recovery Disk USB drive. This emergency disk lets you reinstall a clean version of Windows.

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