Zip File Recovery: How to Recover Deleted ZIP Files for Free

Still wondering how to recover deleted ZIP files for free? Keep reading this article to learn 4 effective ways using data recovery software, Recycle Bin, and File History.

Ivy

By Ivy / Updated on January 8, 2025

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Can I recover deleted zip files?

I am looking for a FREE (at least as a time-limited demo) recovery software that can find and recover a few deleted .zip/.rar files. Any idea? Thx.” – Question from Tom’s guide

zip-file

ZIP file, as a kind of archive file, is fairly convenient. It uses a compressed format to save users’ storage space and makes it easier for files to transfer.

Just like other file types, when dealing with them, accidental deletion is an unavoidable question. Also, there are regrets if users deleted ZIP files intentionally. Fortunately, it's possible to recover deleted ZIP files free and there are 4 effective methods in the following.

How to recover deleted ZIP files free

This section introduces 4 ways for free ZIP file recovery with high success rates.

Method 1. Recover deleted ZIP files with freeware

MyRecover is a powerful Windows data recovery software that can recover deleted ZIP files as well as other files in more than 1000 data formats. It offers users an intuitive interface so even novices can use it easily and quickly. More surprisingly, it has a free version that can recover files over 500MB.

MyRecover
Why Choose MyRecover?
  • Retrieve more than 1000 types of data: ZIP, 7ZIP, ZAR, MP3, MP4, MOV, VWM, ANI, etc.
  • Fast scanning speeds and high recovery rates
  • Support file preview and data recovery while scanning.
  • Recover specific files or folders, not all of them.
  • Perfectly work with Windows 11/10/8/7 SP1/Server.
  • Restore deleted and lost data from HDD/SSD/USB/SD card, etc.

Now, click the download button to get started. Please prepare a new drive to save the recovered files to avoid data overwriting. 

Step 1. Open MyRecover. Hover the mouse over the drive and click Scan to scan.

select-location-to-scan

Step 2. Use file filter to sort files by type, modified date, size, path, etc., thus finding your needed files faster. If you remember the filename of your ZIP file, you can input it in the search box to locate it. Or directly type the extension (.zip) to search for all deleted ZIP files. 

scanning-drive

Step 3. Select the ZIP files you need > click Recover x files to restore them. For safety reasons, you can double-click files to preview them before recovering. Please select a new location to save your recovered ZIP files.

select-deleted-zip-files-click-recover

🌟Tip: MyRecover supports recovering files for free up to 500MB in total. If you need to recover larger files, please consider upgrading MyRecover to an advanced edition.

In this way, you could directly restore deleted ZIP files within 3 simple steps. In addition, it is feasible to recover data from other devices, like SD card data recovery.

Method 2. Recover deleted ZIP files from Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin is also a good place to find deleted ZIP files if they were recently deleted. It will temporarily keep deleted files 30 days by default. But if you use the “Shift + Delete” keys or empty the Recycle Bin, your files are permanently deleted, in which case try powerful data recovery software.

Step 1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your Desktop.

Step 2. Find and select the recently deleted ZIP files. Right-click it and select the Restore option. 

Restore

To restore multiple files, hold Ctrl and select them, then select Restore the selected items instead.

Method 3. Recover ZIP files via File History

File History, launched with Windows 8, is a good built-in app that can backup and restore users' documents, music, images, videos, and other folders/files. So you can use it to recover deleted ZIP files if they are in one of these folders. It also allows you to restore previous versions of files/folders.

Step 1. Start Control Panel, and click System and Security. Then, navigate to File History.

file-history

Step 2. Select Restore personal files.

restore-personal-files

Step 3. Select the ZIP files you want to recover, and click the Restore button to restore deleted ZIP files.

restore-deleted-file

Method 4. Recover deleted ZIP files using Windows File Recovery

How to recover ZIP files? Plenty of users do not have the habit of backup. For these people, they could try Windows File Recovery, a command-line app, designed by Microsoft, to recover deleted media files/office files/ZIP files, etc.

🌟Tip: If you are familiar with command lines, you can try this software to recover deleted files using CMD. For ordinary users without command-related expertise, using Windows File Recovery can be difficult. Please turn to Way 1 above. 

For a detailed explanation of modes, switches, and commands, please refer to "How to use Windows File Recovery". Please note:

  • The syntax: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

  • The source drive (where you have deleted files) and the target drive (where you want to store the recovered files) could not be the same.

  • The file system and data loss scenario decide recovery mode, either Regular or Extensive mode. 

  • The switch can narrow the filtering range. Type winfr /? to learn more about what it means.

  • This tool is available on PCs running Windows 10 and later.

Now, you can follow the steps below to perform free ZIP file recovery.  

Step 1. Press Win+E to open This PC. Then, right-click on the drive that contains the deleted ZIP files> click Properties to check the file system. 

check-file-system

Step 2. Go to Microsoft Store, search for Windows File recovery, and click Get to download.

microsoft-store-get

Step 3. Input Windows File Recovery in the Windows search box, select Run as administrator

Here, for example, to recover deleted ZIP files from C: drive to D: drive, the command goes like this:

winfr C: D: /regular /n *.zip

winfr-regular-zip

🌟 If you meet the error: “is not recognized as an internal or external command”, please get help.

Then, a folder named “Recovery_date and time” will be created automatically at the destination folder. You can check if your ZIP files are there.  

Bonus tips to avoid losing important ZIP files

No matter what methods you are using, getting all your files back is the priority. Speaking of which, preventing data loss with some useful actions is better.

  • Double-check before deleting any files or archives. Accidental deletions are a common cause of ZIP file loss.
  • Use official and virus-free unzip software to prevent file corruption or loss.
  • To avoid running into the same dilemma, you might as well use reliable backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standard to protect your data. 
  • Keep your antivirus and anti-malware software up to date.

Written in the end

This article describes 4 practicable methods on how to recover deleted ZIP files free. You cloud try Recycle Bin, File History, Windows File Recovery, or MyRecove, a professional Windows data recovery software. This useful tool could help users recover permanently deleted files in Windows 10 or 11.

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
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Ivy
Ivy · Editor
Lora is an editor of AOMEI Technology. She is also a tester and editor of AOMEI Data Recovery Tools. -- "Keep testing, write the most useful tutorials for helping people recover the lost data for Windows and phones" is the most meaningful thing for her. Dedicated to creating helpful tutorials, she hopes her tutorial can assist users to effortlessly solve data loss problems on their personal computers and mobile phones.