When you permanently deleted your files by mistake, is it possible to recover them? The answer is YES! This post primarily introduces 4 proven methods to perform Windows 10 undo permanent delete.
“Yesterday, when I was free up my computer space. I accidentally use the Shift + Delete key combination to delete some of my files. I was intend to use Ctrl + D instead. Now, I need some of the files that have been deleted yesterday. Can anyone tell me how to undo permanently delete on Windows 10?”
-Question from Windows Forum
There are more common reasons behind permanent file loss. If you don’t want to lose your files permanently, pay attention to them.
In this section, we’ll introduce 4 methods to perform Windows 10 undo permanent delete.
The first try is always the most important. With the right tool, you can get back your permanently deleted files with ease. Or you may also make the situation worse, and never be able to retrieve the files. Therefore, the first method we recommend is to use the professional data recovery freeware FastRecovery.
Download, install, and launch FastRecovery on your computer.
Don't download and install FastRecovery on the drive where you store deleted files, as this may cause data to be overwritten.
Any newly added data or disk formatting can overwrite data. Please avoid these operations after deletion.
Step 1. Download and launch data recovery software on your Windows PC. Then, click Deleted Files Recovery. You can also choose a more suitable alternative, such as Recycle Bin Recovery, Disk Data Recovery, etc. All of them can help you retrieve data without causing any damage.
Step 2. You'll see all available drives. Hover the mouse over the drive and click Scan to get started.
Step 3. The scanning process will then begin automatically. You can select files by Type (default) or Path, and combine them with options to sort, filter, search, and preview files.
Step 4. Select the files you want to recover and click Recover. Please specify a new location for the restored files, which may result in data overwriting.
The free edition only supports 500MB of data recovery. To recover more data, please upgrade to advanced editions.
The second method to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 10 is to recover them from a Windows backup making with the Windows built-in utility Backup and Restore if you have this feature enabled in advance.
Step 1. Type " Input Control Panel in the Windows search bar, and start it.
Step 2. Click System and Security and then Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Step 3. Here you’ll see if you have this function enabled. If you do, click Select another backup to restore files from. If you don’t, jump to the next method.
Step 4. Select the backup and then click Next.
Step 5. Search for your excel file by using the Browse for files or Browse for folders option.
Step 6. Choose a location to save the backup, select your files and click Restore to recover it.
You can use the File History feature in Windows 10 to save copies of your files so that you can recover them whenever you need to if you want to recover permanently deleted files without software.
Step 1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
Step 2. Here you’ll see if you have this feature turned on. If yes, click Restore personal files. If not, go to the final method.
Step 3. Select the excel file you need to recover and then click the Restore button.
Of course, you can also recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10 using CMD. Follow the steps below.
Preparation work:
Check your File System first before using this tool. Go to This PC, right-click the partition containing the deleted files, and then select Properties.
In addition, you need to use recovery mode and switches to get back your files. To decide which mode to use, refer to this table.
| File system | Scenarios | Mode |
| NTFS | Deleted recently | Regular |
| NTFS | Deleted for a while | Extensive |
| NTFS | Formatted disk | Extensive |
| NTFS | Corrupted disk | Extensive |
| FAT and exFAT | Any | Extensive |
Switches are used to filter the scanning range, thus can save the scanning time.
| Switches | Meaning | Supported mode(s) |
| /n | Filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc. | All |
| /y: | Recover specific extension groups. | Signature |
| /k | Recovers system files. | NTFSSegment |
| /u | Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin. | NTFSSegment |
Step 1. Download and install Window File Recovery on your computer from Microsoft Store and then open it.
Step 2. Open Powershell or Command Prompt (run as administrator). In the Command Prompt, enter commands in the following command format:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
For example, if you need to recover deleted pdf files from F: drive (the external hard drive) to D: drive, then the command will be like:
winfr F: D: /regular /n *.pdf
This post primarily introduces 4 ways to perform Windows 10 undo permanent delete. Among these, FastRecovery is highly recommended. With it, you can always get back your permanently deleted files with ease.
In addition, we'd like to offer a piece of advice for protecting your files. Using the specialized data backup and restore tool AOMEI Backupper, you must always keep an updated backup of all of your important files.