Recover Deleted Files from a Specific Folder | 4 Ways

Storing files in a specific folder is a good way to organize different types of files, such as, put your travel photos in a folder called Travel Memories, in this case, you can easily find them without having to spend time searching on your disk.

However, you may deleted some files in this folder by mistake and want to get them back quickly. Is it possible to recover deleted files from a specific folder? How to make it successfully? Get clear ideas below.

Is It Possible to Recover Deleted Files from a Specific Folder?

YES! The deleted files will be moved to the Recycle Bin folder if you are using a Windows PC. So you can easily find them in the Recycle Bin folder and recover deleted files from Recycle Bin.

But if you delete a large file, it will be deleted permanently instead of moving to Recycle Bin. Besides, files deleted from Recycle Bin are deleted from this disk. In this case, Windows only removes the file system access to your files, but it is still there and recoverable.

Please stop using this folder and don’t add new data to its used space. Otherwise, the deleted files will be overwritten, making data recovery more difficult.

Possible Causes for Files Deleted from a Specific Folder

You must be curious about the reason why your files deleted from a specific folder. It may provide you with some clues to recover deleted files or prevent this error from happening again. We have collected the following possible reasons for you.

• Accidental deletion or recycle bin empty.
• Unconscious disk formatting.
• Improper operation, such as, corruption during file transfer, abrupt system shutdown or power cut, don’t eject device safely, etc.
• Virus or malware attack.
• ...

How to Recover Deleted Files from Folder

After knowing the possible reasons, you may have clues on how to recover deleted files from folder. If you still don’t know, it does not matter. This article will introduce you to 4 effective methods to help you, even if the deleted files are not in Recycle Bin.

Way 1: Recover Deleted Files from Folder with MyRecover

To recover files deleted in the Recycle Bin or large permanently deleted files, the easiest and fastest method is using a reliable Windows data recovery software like MyRecover. With its two advanced scanning methods, you can find all the deleted files from a specific folder, or disk (eg: internal or external disk, USB drive, SD card, etc) and recover them successfully in a short time.

• Recover Word documents, Excel files, PPT, pictures, videos, compressed files, etc and more than 200+ file types.
• Keep the recovered files with the original file name, format, quality, and path.
• Filter specific files and recover them during the scanning process.
• Deal with comprehensive data loss scenarios such as virus attacks, malware infections, formats, system crashes, etc.
• Support Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, etc and Windows Server.

To get started, download Windows data recovery software- MyRecover and install it on your Windows PC.

Step 1. Launch Windows data recovery software- MyRecover. Hover the mouse over the drive saved a specific folder before, and click Scan.

Step 2. The software will run Quick Scan & Deep Scan automatically and find all the data on the selected drive.

To locate the specific folder quickly, directly type the folder name in the Search for files or folders box. Or use the Filter feature. You need to select its type (eg: Word documents), date modified or size.

Step 3. Select the files you want to recover and click Recover XX files. You can also wait for the final scanning result.

Notes:

• MyRecover will display the number of files to be recovered and their entire size. You can free recover files up to 500MB. To recover unlimited files, please upgrade MyRecover.
• Select a new location to store files on the corrupted drive. Retrieving files to original location may overwrite the space of deleted data, resulting in data recovery failure.
• You still can use it to recover deleted files from Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, etc.

Way 2: Recover Files from Deleted Folder with File History

If you find the deleted files not in Recycle Bin, the easiest and fastest method is to restore deleted files from backup image. File History, one of Windows backup software, is able to backup and restore user files, such as files in Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, etc. Try this If you turn on it in advance.

Step 1. Click on search bar, type “restore” and select “Restore your files with File History”. It will open File History window.

Step 3. Check if there is a specific folder that includes your deleted files. If not, click the left arrow to find it in the older backups. You can also click the right arrow to go back to the most recent backup. Once you find the specific folder, click the green restore button to restore deleted files from it.

Way 3: Retrieve Files Deleted from Folder using Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is another backup software for Windows and you can use it to backup files in the user profiles as well as include a system image as well in Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

Step 1. Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security and select Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Then, click Restore my files.

Step 2. In the Restore Files window, you can choose to search or browse for the specific files or folder.

• Search: type part of the name of files and select the deleted files to restore.
• Browse for files: navigate to the folder containing deleted files from Recycle Bin and select it. Then, click Add Files.
• Browse for folders: select the entire folder with deleted files.  

Step 3. Select a location to recover deleted files from a specific folder. You can choose the original location or browse to a new location. Then, click Start Restore.

Way 4: Restore Deleted Files from Previous Version

If you just want to recover deleted files from previous version, try folder properties. It is able to recover Word documents, Excel files, PPT, compressed file, etc and requires the File History or System Restore is enabled.

Step 1. Start File Explorer/This PC. Locate the folder which is used to save the deleted file.

Step 2. Right-click it and then select Properties > Previous Version.

Step 3. Select the folder version which is exactly the one before you delete it, and click Restore to restore deleted files to previous version.

How to Prevent Files Being Permanently Deleted

The above ways are useful to recover deleted files from specific folder. But sometimes data loss can be avoided. Here are some suggestions you can follow:

• Don’t save new data to this drive when you recognize file deleted from a specific folder.
• Use the Delete key or the right-click to delete files instead of Shift + Delete. It will delete files permanently.
• Scan your computer for viruses regularly.
• Automatically backup files to external hard drive or other devices. You can choose to use built-in File History or Backup and Restore (Windows 7). To make it easier and more flexible, try third-party software - AOMEI Backupper Standard.

Hope it helps you!