In the digital age, our computers have become virtual storehouses where we store our important data, ranging from personal to essential work documents. Wonder if that valuable data gets permanently deleted and you are left with an empty recycle bin, it’s frustrating, isn’t it? Well, in this article, we will guide you to recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin after empty to restore your lost files.
How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Recycle Bin After Empty in Windows 10
If you have accidentally deleted files in Recycle Bin, it’s not easy to restore them but it’s not impossible as well. Although there is no direct way, we have a few workarounds that can help you with the same.
Method 1: Via Windows Backup
Windows Backup creates regular backups of your files & data and stores them in the allotted storage space. Now if you prefer not to install third-party software, you can even retrieve all the deleted files from the backup file.
Note: You can only restore files if you have created a backup on your Windows PC at least once.
1. Hit the Windows key, search for Control Panel, and open it.
2. Click on System and Security followed by Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
3. Click on the Restore My Files option.
4. Click on Browse for files to restore files or Browse for folders to restore deleted folders.
5. In the Backup, select the files or folders you want to restore and then click on the Add files or Add folder option.
6. Choose whether you want to restore the files In the original location or select the In the following location option to choose a different one.
7. Finally, click on Restore.
Method 2: Via Previous Versions
File History is another backup and file recovery feature introduced in Windows 8. With the integrated Previous Versions feature, it automatically backs up and maintains historical versions of files and folders in the user’s Libraries, Desktop, and Favorites folders. So, you can easily restore files to their original or previous state.
Note: File History should already be enabled and configured on the PC.
1. Open File Explorer on your PC, navigate to the folder where the deleted files were located previously and right-click on it.
2. Select Properties from the context menu and move to the Previous Versions tab.
3. Select the latest version saved on it.
4. Either click on Open, select the missing files, and move them to another location, or just click on Restore.
Also Read: 20 Best Software to Restore Your Old Photos on PC
Method 3: Through Command Prompt
Command Prompt (CMD) gives more control over your Windows PC. Even though it is a technical process, you can still follow the steps to undo the emptying Recycle Bin action and recover the files deleted:
1. Open the Command Prompt, and in the terminal, type cd../ .. and press Enter. Then type cd $Recycle.Bin and press Enter.
2. Type cd and press the Tab key. Once you can see the directory name, press Enter.
3. Type dir/a and press Enter to see all files.
4. Then type the following command and press Enter: copy [file name] [file location] > cd../.. > dir > ren [file name].
You’ll get access to all the permanently deleted files in the E drive inside a new folder and you need to change the file extensions to a normal format to make them reusable.
Also Read: 20 Best Free Online File Sharing and Storage Sites
Method 4: Restore Files from OneDrive (If Applicable)
Cloud storage options are quite helpful these days, not just to get extra space but also to ensure the safety of files from being deleted or lost. You can use OneDrive on your Windows PC to recover your deleted files from Recycle Bin after empty.
Note: This method is applicable only if you have enabled the feature to back up your data to OneDive.
1. Visit the Microsoft OneDrive website.
2. Navigate to the folder/files that were deleted, select them, and then click on Download.
Now those files will be downloaded from Microsoft Cloud to your PC. Once downloaded, you can move it from the Downloads folder to your desired location.
Method 5: Use Windows File Recovery Tool
Microsoft developed the Windows File Recovery command-line utility that lets you recover an unlimited amount of deleted files such as photos, documents, videos, and more from internal and external drives, including your Recycle Bin after empty. You can download it for free from the Microsoft Store.
1. Install the Windows File Recovery is installed on your PC and then run Windows Terminal as administrator.
2. Execute the following command to retrieve the deleted folder: Winfr C: E: /regular /n \Users\your-username\deleted folder\.
Note 1: Replace your-username with your actual User Name on the PC and deleted folder with the originally deleted folder.
Note 2: Here C: refers to the source of the deleted folder and E: refers to the destination to where you want to restore it. The source and recovery destination should not be the same to avoid overwriting.
Method 6: Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software
Most simply, you can use third-party data recovery software such as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Disk Drill Data Recovery, etc., to retrieve deleted original files, until new data in your computer overwrites it. Such tools help you recover documents, photos, videos, audio files, and more. Use one as soon as possible after the data gets deleted to maximize the chances of successful recovery. Refer to our guide on 21 Best Free Data Recovery Software for suggestions and choose any of them as preferred.
We hope our guide helped you recover permanently deleted files from the Recycle Bin after empty. If you have any queries or suggestions for us, do let us know in the comments section below. Stay connected to TechCult to find solutions to any such tips and tricks.
