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

Can I recover deleted zip files?

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

AOMEI FastRecovery 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.

AOMEI FastRecovery

Why Choose AOMEI FastRecovery?

• 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.

Download Software
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7& Windows Server

100% Secure

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 AOMEI FastRecovery. Hover the mouse over the drive and click Scan 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.

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.

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.

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.

Step 2. Select Restore personal files.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.