How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Windows 11: A Guide

Losing important files on your Windows 11 PC can feel like a nightmare. Maybe you accidentally pressed Shift + Delete, emptied the Recycle Bin too quickly, or formatted a drive without backing up. The good news? Permanently deleted files on Windows 11 aren’t always truly gone — and with the right methods, you can often get them back.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you step by step through different ways to recover lost files, from built-in Windows features to powerful third-party recovery tools. Whether you deleted work documents, family photos, or entire folders, this article will help you restore your data and peace of mind.

Key Takeaways

Permanently deleted files on Windows 11 can often be recovered using File History, Backup and Restore, or specialized recovery software.
Stop using the affected drive immediately to prevent overwriting deleted data.
Windows 11 includes built-in options like Windows File Recovery (command-line tool).
Professional recovery tools offer higher success rates for formatted, corrupted, or overwritten drives.
Prevention is key — set up regular backups with OneDrive or an external drive.

Why Do Files Get Permanently Deleted in Windows 11?

Before jumping into recovery methods, it helps to understand how files get permanently deleted. Here are the most common reasons:

Shift + Delete action: Bypasses the Recycle Bin and deletes files immediately.
Emptying Recycle Bin: Removes all temporarily deleted files.
Formatting a drive: Erases all data on a partition.
System crashes or malware: Corruption or infection can wipe files.
Storage device errors: Bad sectors on HDDs or SSDs may lead to file loss.

Think of your hard drive like a library. When you delete a file, Windows removes the “catalog entry,” but the actual “book” (data) remains until it’s replaced with something new. That’s why quick action is crucial.

Can You Really Recover Permanently Deleted Files?

Yes — but success depends on time and usage. Once a file is deleted, Windows marks its space as free, waiting to be overwritten. If you stop using that drive right away and use proper recovery tools, your chances of success increase dramatically.

Step 1: Stop Using the Drive Immediately

The first and most important rule of data recovery: Do not continue using the storage device where files were deleted. Writing new data may overwrite the lost files, making them impossible to restore.

Step 2: Check the Recycle Bin First

It sounds obvious, but many users overlook this step.

Open the Recycle Bin from your desktop.
Look for the deleted file or folder.
Right-click and select Restore.

If it’s not there, move on to the next methods.

Step 3: Recover Using File History

Windows 11 includes File History, which automatically backs up personal files if enabled.

How to Use File History:

Open Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
Check if File History is turned on.
Select Restore files with File History.
Browse through available backups and choose the version you want.
Click Restore.

This only works if File History was set up before deletion.

Step 4: Use Backup and Restore (Windows 7 Feature)

Windows 11 still supports the older Backup and Restore (Windows 7) utility.

Open Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Click Restore my files.
Follow the wizard to restore backed-up data.

If you had backups enabled, this is a reliable recovery option.

Step 5: Try Windows File Recovery Tool (Command Line)

Microsoft offers a free tool called Windows File Recovery, available in the Microsoft Store. It’s a command-line program designed to recover permanently deleted files.

Steps to Use Windows File Recovery:

Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.
Open it as an administrator.
Run a command like this:

winfr C: D: /extensive /n *.docx
- C: = drive where files were deleted
- D: = drive to save recovered files
- /extensive = deep scan mode
- /n *.docx = filters for Word files

This tool is powerful but may feel complicated for beginners.

Step 6: Restore from OneDrive or Cloud Backups

If you synced files with OneDrive (or another cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud), recovery is much easier.

Log in to your OneDrive account.
Browse to the deleted file.
Restore from the Recycle Bin inside OneDrive (kept for 30 days).

Cloud storage often saves multiple file versions, so you can roll back changes easily.

Step 7: Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software

When built-in tools aren’t enough, third-party recovery software offers the highest success rates. Popular options include:

Recuva (free and beginner-friendly)
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Disk Drill
Stellar Data Recovery
R-Studio (for advanced users)

General Steps with Recovery Software:

Download and install the software (on a different drive, if possible).
Select the drive where files were deleted.
Run a Quick Scan or Deep Scan.
Preview recoverable files.
Save recovered files to a different location (not the original drive).

🔑 Pro tip: The deeper the scan, the higher the recovery chances, but also the longer it takes.

Step 8: Restore Previous Versions of Files or Folders

Windows sometimes creates restore points that include previous versions of files or folders.

Right-click the folder where the file was stored.
Select Properties > Previous Versions.
Pick a version from the list.
Click Restore.

This feature works only if System Protection was enabled.

Step 9: Professional Data Recovery Services

If all else fails, or if the deleted files are mission-critical (like business data), consider professional recovery labs. They use specialized tools in cleanroom environments to recover data from damaged or corrupted drives.

While expensive, these services offer the highest success rate.

Comparison Table of Recovery Methods

Method	Difficulty	Cost	Success Rate	Best For
Recycle Bin	Very Easy	Free	High	Recently deleted files
File History	Easy	Free	High	Users with backups enabled
Backup & Restore (Win 7)	Easy	Free	High	Older Windows backup users
Windows File Recovery Tool	Medium	Free	Moderate	Tech-savvy users
OneDrive/Cloud Backups	Easy	Free	High	Synced files
Third-Party Recovery Software	Easy/Med	Varies	High	Most file types and scenarios
Professional Recovery Service	Hard	$$$	Very High	Critical or corrupted drive recovery

How to Prevent Permanent File Loss in Windows 11

Recovering files can be stressful, so prevention is always better. Here’s how:

Enable File History or Backup & Restore.
Use OneDrive or another cloud service for automatic sync.
Keep an external hard drive backup.
Set up System Restore points regularly.
Avoid unsafe software and malware-prone sites.

Think of backups like insurance — you may not need them daily, but when disaster strikes, they save the day.

Conclusion

Recovering permanently deleted files on Windows 11 is possible if you act quickly and use the right tools. Start with simple methods like Recycle Bin, File History, and Previous Versions. If those fail, try the Windows File Recovery tool or trusted third-party software. For mission-critical data, professional recovery services are your last resort.

Most importantly, take proactive steps to protect your files in the future with backups and cloud storage. Losing files may feel like the end of the world, but with this guide, you now know how to bring them back — and how to avoid losing them again.

FAQs About Recovering Permanently Deleted Files on Windows 11

1. Can I recover files deleted with Shift + Delete in Windows 11?
Yes, but you’ll need recovery tools like Windows File Recovery or third-party software since the files bypass the Recycle Bin.

2. Are permanently deleted files gone forever?
Not immediately. They remain on disk until overwritten, so quick action improves recovery chances.

3. What’s the best free software to recover files on Windows 11?
Recuva is a popular free tool. Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery is also free but requires command-line usage.

4. Can I recover files after formatting a drive?
Yes, deep scans with professional recovery software (like EaseUS, Stellar, or R-Studio) can often retrieve formatted files.

5. How can I make sure I never lose files again?
Enable File History, sync with OneDrive, and create regular backups on an external drive. Prevention is the safest strategy.