How to Recover Deleted Files on a Laptop – Best Free & Paid Methods

How to Recover Deleted Files on a Laptop – Step-by-Step Guide

Accidentally deleted important files? Learn how to recover lost data using free and paid recovery methods for Windows and Mac laptops.

Losing an important file can be frustrating and stressful, especially if you don’t have a backup. Fortunately, deleted files can often be recovered, even if they’re not in the Recycle Bin. This guide will show you step-by-step methods to restore lost files using both free built-in tools and paid recovery software.

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1. Check the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac)

Before using advanced recovery methods, check if your files are still in the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac).

🔹 Windows Users:

1. Open the Recycle Bin from the desktop.

2. Search for your deleted file.

3. Right-click the file and select Restore to recover it.

🔹 Mac Users:

1. Open the Trash from the dock.

2. Locate the deleted file.

3. Right-click and select Put Back to restore it to its original location.

Tip: If you emptied the Recycle Bin/Trash, proceed to the next recovery methods.

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2. Restore Files Using File History (Windows Only)

Windows automatically backs up files using the File History feature if it was enabled before deletion.

How to Recover Files Using File History:

1. Open the folder where the deleted file was stored.

2. Right-click inside the folder and select Restore previous versions.

3. Choose an available version and click Restore.

Tip: If File History is disabled, try System Restore or a recovery tool.

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3. Use Time Machine for File Recovery (Mac Only)

Mac users can restore deleted files using Time Machine, Apple’s built-in backup feature.

How to Recover Files with Time Machine:

1. Connect your Time Machine backup drive.

2. Open the folder where the file was stored.

3. Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar → Enter Time Machine.

4. Find the deleted file and click Restore.

Tip: If you never set up Time Machine, use third-party recovery software.

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4. Use Free Data Recovery Software (Windows & Mac)

If your file isn’t in the Recycle Bin, Trash, or backups, use free data recovery tools.

Best Free File Recovery Software

✅ Recuva (Windows) – Recovers deleted files from hard drives and USBs.
✅ PhotoRec (Windows & Mac) – Restores lost files, photos, and documents.
✅ EaseUS Data Recovery (Windows & Mac) – Free version recovers up to 2GB.
✅ Disk Drill (Windows & Mac) – User-friendly tool with deep scan features.

How to Recover Files Using Recuva (Windows Users)

1. Download and install Recuva from the official site.

2. Open Recuva and select the type of file you want to recover (e.g., photos, documents).

3. Choose the drive where the file was stored before deletion.

4. Click Scan to search for deleted files.

5. Select the file you need and click Recover.

Tip: Avoid installing recovery software on the same drive where the deleted file was located, as it may overwrite lost data.

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5. Recover Deleted Files Using Paid Recovery Software

Paid tools offer higher success rates and work even if your laptop’s storage is formatted or corrupted.

Best Paid File Recovery Software

💰 Wondershare Recoverit – Supports over 1,000 file types, deep scanning.
💰 EaseUS Data Recovery Pro – Advanced recovery with file preview.
💰 Stellar Data Recovery – Best for retrieving lost partitions and formatted drives.

When to Use Paid Software?

✅ The free software didn’t recover your files.
✅ Your drive was formatted or corrupted.
✅ You need to recover a large number of files.

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6. Use Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) for File Recovery

For tech-savvy users, command-line recovery can restore lost files.

Windows – Recover Files Using CMD

1. Type cmd in the Windows search bar and Run as Administrator.

2. Enter the following command:

   sh
   chkdsk X: /f
   

   (Replace X with the drive letter where the file was stored.)

3. Then type:

   sh
   attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.*
   

   (Replace X with your drive letter.)

4. Press Enter and check if the file is recovered.

Mac – Recover Files Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal.

2. Type:

   sh
   diskutil list
   

   to identify your drive.

3. Then use:

   sh
   fsck_hfs -r /dev/diskX
   

   (Replace X with the correct disk number.)

Tip: This method works best for lost partitions and hidden files.

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7. Recover Files from Cloud Storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud)

If your file was saved in a cloud service, check the trash folder of your storage provider.

How to Restore Files from Cloud Storage

🔹 Google Drive: Go to Trash → Right-click the file → Click Restore.
🔹 OneDrive: Open Recycle Bin → Select files → Click Restore.
🔹 iCloud Drive: Open Recently Deleted → Restore missing files.

Tip: Most cloud storage services keep deleted files for 30 days before permanent removal.

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8. Prevent Future Data Loss

📌 Enable File History or Time Machine to create automatic backups.
📌 Use cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) for important files.
📌 Create a recovery USB drive in case of system crashes.
📌 Avoid deleting files with Shift + Delete, as they bypass the Recycle Bin.

Tip: Set up automatic weekly backups to avoid future file loss.

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Conclusion

Losing files can be stressful, but they’re often recoverable using built-in recovery tools, free software, or paid recovery programs. Follow this guide to restore your deleted files and prevent future data loss.