Recovering a Deleted File

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated March 26, 2018)

2

By default, most files that you delete from your system are not physically deleted. Instead, they are moved to the Recycle Bin. This is so you can recover a deleted file if you later discover that you actually needed it.

To recover a deleted file, open the Recycle Bin (i.e., double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop). This presents all of the deleted files using Windows Explorer (Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8 and Windows 10). You can then select the Details view and sort by the Date Deleted column so that the most recently deleted files will be at the top of the display. (Manipulating how Explorer displays its information is covered under other tips.) Find the file you want to restore, right-click it, and click Restore. The file is then removed from the Recycle Bin and returned to its original location. Alternatively, you can drag the file out of the recycle bin to a different location if you so desire.

Naturally, you cannot restore a file from the Recycle Bin if it (the Recycle Bin) has been emptied, so it's a good idea to not empty the Recycle Bin too frequently. Once the Recycle Bin has been emptied, all of the files in it are permanently deleted and it is very difficult to restore a permanently deleted file. (It may still be possible, but recovering permanently deleted files requires the use of other software applications.)

 This tip (12369) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Creating Your Own File Folders

In the general course of using your system, you will likely create many new files. It's a good idea to organize your ...

Discover More

Understanding Jump Lists

Jump lists are great productivity enhancers to Windows 7. By using jump lists, you can easily access frequently used ...

Discover More

Creating an XPS Document

Creating an XPS document is as easy as printing a document. This tip explains how.

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Creating a Hierarchy Map of Your Hard Drive

Want to see how the directories and subdirectories in your hard drive are organized? It's easy to do using the directions ...

Discover More

Specifying a Copy Schedule in Robocopy

There are a few ways to set up a copy schedule in Robocopy by using its options. This tip explains how.

Discover More

Working with Compressed Files and Folders via Zip

Windows 10 provides multiple ways to work with compressed files and folders. One great way is to use the Zip utility, ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 + 5?

2018-03-26 08:34:40

Allen

Hugh, I'm afraid that the probability is very high that the file you overwrote is gone. The Recycle Bin is used only for files that you take steps to delete, not for those that are overwritten.

-Allen

2018-03-26 08:22:55

GW Patton


What happens if you accidentally write over a file? For example, I often work with multiple versions open, I have inadvertently saved what I thought was the current best version using the name of a file I needed to keep. If I didn't have backups present, is there an old version in the Recycle folder?

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.