Whether lost through accidental deletion, hardware failure, or a software glitch, losing data can be a nightmare. But the good news is that you can have many options for recovering lost data once you act quickly. In this article, we go through different ways of recovering deleted files in Windows 10 and 11, professional services for data recovery, and preventive measures to protect your data from being lost in the future.
Understanding Data Loss
Data loss can occur due to accidental deletions, formatting errors, viral attacks, and hardware failures. How the data was lost is a critical point to make in determining the recovery methodology. For example, different approaches apply to recover files deleted by accident from the recycle bin versus recovery after data loss due to hard drive corruption.
Common Methods to Recover Lost Data
Use of the Recycle Bin
The first place to look for deleted files is the Recycle Bin. If you haven’t permanently deleted the file, it is likely still in there. You can simply open the Recycle Bin, locate your file, right-click on it, and then choose “Restore” to bring it back to its original location.
File History and Previous Versions
Windows 10 and 11 are the first operating systems to include features for backup support inside them. These are File History and Previous Versions, and if these were turned on, you can recover previous file versions that were changed or deleted. Here’s how:
- Navigate to the folder where the file was located.
- Click right and Properties.
- Now select the “Previous Versions” tab.
- Select a backup version and click on “Restore”.
Backup and Restore
It’s easier to restore the files from a lost backup. Windows Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is an app included in Windows 10 and 11 to create a system image and allow you to back up some files.
Data Recovery Software
After you have deleted a file, the data is not removed from the drive but only the data reference. Hence, most of the time, these files can be recovered by using data recovery software. Some of the widely used data recovery tools include:
- Recuva: User-friendly utility that recovers hard drives, memory cards, and external drive files.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: An integrated application that recovers lost files on various storage devices.
- Disk Drill: Best simplicity and efficiency in recovery.
The tools typically function by scanning the drive, displaying found files, and allowing the user to preview and select the ones for recovery.
Professional Data Recovery Services
Professional data recovery services become necessary during highly severe hardware failure or failure of software solutions. The data recovery professional retrieves data from damaged storage devices based on his expertise in the field. Though it proves to be expensive, at times, it stands as indispensable for recovering some critical data that other sources cannot provide.
Preventive Measures
It is better to prevent data loss than to recover it. The following are the things to do to guard your valuable data against possible loss in the future.
Regular Backups
Use external hard drives, cloud storage, or network-attached storage to take regular data backups. Always have automated backup solutions to ensure consistency.
Use Reliable Antivirus Software
Safeguard your system from any viral or malware infiltration by loading your system with established anti-virus software. This might go a long way to protect data from getting corrupted and lost due to malice.
Turn on System Restore
You can use System Restore to recover system files and settings in case of a software malfunction. Make sure that the System Restore feature is turned on in your Windows device.
Avoid Physical Damage
Handle with care to prevent any kind of physical abuse in storage devices. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, and magnetic fields.
Recover Data with Mindcore Technologies
Data loss can be devastating but with the right tools and skills, it is surprising how many lost files can be retrieved. You can try to look in the Recycle Bin first or employ the built-in features of Windows. If these are ineffective, software or professional data recovery services will help. However, the best approach to data loss is to prevent it, either by doing periodical backups or installing a protection system. Learn more about how to back up your data with Mindcore Technologies by requesting a consultation with us today!
