How do I restore files deleted from the trash?

Cleaned the trash and deleted an important file? Formatted a hard drive or removable drive without having to back it up? This is not a problem if you install one of the file recovery programs on your computer. They can also be used to reactivate files damaged by viruses, back up disks and much more.

In this article, we will look at the two most popular tools to get a positive result and return information after cleaning the Windows dumpster in the vast majority of cases. They allow you to recover files from your hard drive, flash drive, and memory card. These special utilities are also efficient and fast, take up relatively little disk space and are compatible with all current versions of the Windows operating system.

How to restore files deleted from the trash using the Hetman tool

Features

The application allows you to quickly return folders and files after accidental deletion. It will allow you to fix entire sectors and even restore the disc structure. It is worth mentioning the support of FAT and NTFS file systems, the presence of a preview function, writing to CD/DVD, cloud storage, as well as the ability to make backups, which is especially important when working on the system partition. One of the advantages is a convenient recovery wizard that allows you to reduce the process to a few mouse clicks. All you have to do is run a shortcut on your desktop and follow the prompts!

Start scanning

If you know the file type and remember where it was stored before deletion, it will significantly speed up the recovery process. After starting the program, you should choose a suitable disk – the built-in wizard will start, which simplifies the search for lost files and folders from the cleaned trash can. In the new window specify the type of scanning (Fast or Full analysis) and click the button “Next”.

Adjustment

It is worth noting that the in-depth search for remote information is more efficient, but takes longer. In the next window, it is possible to specify a specific file type (on the screen) in order to narrow down the search range of erased data. Click “OK” and wait for the process to complete.

Start the operation

Then the virtual reconstruction of the file system with the list of files and folders will be displayed on the screen. You can use the “Deep Analysis” submenu to find the information you are interested in faster. When the necessary object is found, right-click on it and select “Restore” – you will be offered to specify the method of saving (hard disk, CD/DVD, virtual image, FTP). The final step is to specify the path to the saving folder without forgetting to take care of the sufficient amount of free space. We also specify some other parameters.

Recovering deleted files in R-Studio

Advantages

R-Studio is an application designed to reanimate data (documents, images, audio/video files) deleted from a computer. This is another way to recover damaged files, regardless of their location – it supports hard disks, CD/DVDs, memory cards. R-Studio features built-in modules for RAID reconstruction and system backup.

Start scanning

After starting up in the start window, select the desired source – double-click on it with the left mouse button. In the appeared window we specify the type of scanning, type of objects. After the process is finished, you will see all the found files (screen) on the screen. For convenience there is a possibility to organize the result – by structure on a disk, extension, time of creation, change or last access. In the left part of the window, there is a tree of folders – each of them contains objects of the same type.

Saving

Now select your target file(s) and click on the “Restore tagged” menu. In the next window, select the folder (save location) and a number of additional settings (if necessary). Click the “Yes” button and wait for the process to complete successfully.

How do I restore a deleted file from the trash with Recuva?

Free or Pro?

Recuva’s deleted files recovery software is popular due to its ease of management and free file recovery capabilities. The license is only needed for those who want to get the automatic update function and unlimited technical support (the official website says that the Pro version also offers a better algorithm – whether it is true or not – we haven’t tested it, and other experienced users are silent in the comments). So, to get started, open the Recuva and follow the steps below.

Choosing the type of objects

Fortunately, the step-by-step wizard won’t make you type in the names of the files you need, just specify their type. Let’s assume that we have mistakenly deleted the photos from the vacation or the image for the layout of the site. Let’s choose the category “Pictures” and continue.

Definition of storage media

Now Recuva asks where exactly the user lost the files in order to narrow down the search by file table and reduce the operation time. Even if you deleted the photos from the flash drive to make room, but did it with the usual Del key, choose to analyze the cleared contents of the Recycle Bin.

Choosing the method of recovering deleted files

At this stage, it is necessary to define the type of scanning. The standard starts quickly, and it is suitable when you want to restore deleted files from the Windows Trash that has been cleared just today. If the information has been erased for a long time, the items are not irretrievably lost, but the chances of recovery are lower. It is better to use deep scanning, which lasts much longer but is more thorough.

Recovery

Upon completion of the process, the Recuva will show all the files found and determine their safety. The green icon is 100%, the red icon is the worst, and the integrity is in question. For well-preserved objects, you can enable a preview. You scroll through the list, tick the checkboxes and select all the necessary files, and then click “Restore”.

Specifying the saving folder

The utility will ask you which directory to put the saved objects in – your task is to specify an existing or new folder and wait a little bit. In a few minutes, all of them will appear in the specified place.

As you can see, even after deleting the files in the trash, it is still quite possible to return them. Don’t be afraid to clear the trash even if you deleted the file from the system disk. Using the above applications, you can recover lost data as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, the first security measure to be taken is a timely backup.

In addition to the applications described above, Easeus Data Recovery Wizard and Handy Recovery have proven to be positive in practice. If other variants didn’t work, try to use one of them.