We’ve all been there—you go to show your family an important photo or video, only to realize it’s missing. Heartbreak! Unfortunately, accidental file deletion happens more often than you’d expect. The good news? With a little luck (and the right steps), you might be able to get those lost files back. Here’s how!

How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows

1. Check the Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is your first stop when trying to recover deleted files. On most Windows systems, deleted files are sent here before they’re permanently removed. If you haven’t emptied the bin yet, you’re in luck!

To restore files from the Recycle Bin:

• Open the Recycle Bin from the desktop or Start menu.
• Find the file you want to recover.
• Right-click it and choose Restore.
• For multiple files, select them all and click Restore the selected items.
• You can also drag and drop files to a different folder if you prefer.

Pro Tip: You can enable a delete confirmation pop-up to avoid accidental deletions. Right-click on the Recycle Bin, select Properties, and check Display delete confirmation dialog.

2. Use File History Backup

If the Recycle Bin doesn’t have your file, your next best option is File History—a feature available on Windows 8.1, 10, and 11 that backs up files to an external drive or network location. Note: You must have set up File History beforehand for this to work.

To restore using File History:

• In the search bar, type Restore your files with File History.
• Browse through the saved versions to find your missing file.
• Click Restore to bring it back to its original location or drag it to a new one.

3. Try Windows File Recovery

If neither of the above methods works, Windows File Recovery could be your last resort. This free app can recover deleted files from local drives, USBs, and SSDs. It offers two modes:

• Regular mode for recently deleted files.
• Extensive mode for files deleted a while ago.

It’s a bit technical, but Microsoft provides step-by-step guidance on their Recover lost files on Windows 10 page.

How to Recover Deleted Files on macOS

1. Check the Trash

Just like Windows, macOS sends most deleted files to the Trash. Unless you manually empty it—or have automatic Trash clearing enabled—you should be able to recover your files easily.

To restore files from the Trash:

• Open the Trash.
• Locate the file you want.
• Right-click and select Put Back, or drag the file to a new location.

2. Restore from Time Machine Backup

Time Machine is macOS’s built-in backup tool, which saves versions of your files to an external drive on a schedule (hourly, daily, or weekly). Remember, Time Machine must be set up beforehand to work!

To recover using Time Machine:

• Connect the backup drive used for Time Machine.
• Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Time Machine.
• Find the file you’re missing and click Restore to recover it.

3. Use File Recovery Software

If your files aren’t in the Trash and you didn’t set up Time Machine, don’t lose hope yet. File recovery software (also called “unerase” or “undelete” tools) can sometimes retrieve deleted files—especially if the data hasn’t yet been overwritten on your HDD or SSD.
For best results, install the recovery software onto an external drive rather than the system you’re trying to recover from.

If you successfully recover your files—congratulations! But accidents can happen again. That’s why setting up a solid backup plan is crucial. Whether you use built-in tools or an external drive, a backup system will save you a lot of heartache next time!