How to Use Windows File Recovery in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever accidentally deleted an important file, you know that sinking feeling in your stomach. Luckily, Microsoft offers a free and powerful tool called Windows File Recovery that can help you get those files back. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use Windows File Recovery in Windows 11 step by step, explain different recovery modes, and share some tips to maximize your chances of success.

Whether you’ve lost photos, documents, or even entire folders, this guide has you covered.

Table of Contents

Summary of Key Takeaways

Windows File Recovery is a command-line tool from Microsoft for retrieving deleted files on Windows 11.
It supports different recovery modes: Default, Segment, and Signature.
You’ll need to download it from the Microsoft Store.
Recovery works best when you act quickly and avoid using the drive after deleting files.
You can recover files from local drives, external drives, USBs, and memory cards (but not network or cloud storage).

What Is Windows File Recovery in Windows 11?

Windows File Recovery is a command-line utility developed by Microsoft that helps you restore deleted or lost files. Unlike the Recycle Bin, which only holds deleted files temporarily, this tool can attempt to recover files even after they’ve been permanently removed.

It supports a wide range of file types, including:

Photos (JPEG, PNG)
Videos (MP4, MOV)
Documents (Word, Excel, PDFs)
Archives (ZIP, RAR)
And more

Why Use Windows File Recovery Instead of Third-Party Tools?

You might wonder — “Why not just use a free recovery app I found online?” That’s a valid question. Here’s why Windows File Recovery stands out:

Official Microsoft Tool – Safe, secure, and regularly updated.
Completely Free – No hidden charges or limited trial versions.
Multiple Recovery Modes – Optimized for different data loss situations.
Works Offline – No internet connection required, unlike some cloud-based tools.

Think of it as the first line of defense before you explore third-party software.

Limitations You Should Know

Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, it’s important to understand what Windows File Recovery cannot do:

❌ Doesn’t work on cloud drives (OneDrive, Google Drive).
❌ Won’t restore files overwritten by new data.
❌ Lacks a graphical interface (it’s command-line only).
❌ Requires Windows 10 (2004 or later) or Windows 11.

Step 1: Download and Install Windows File Recovery

Since the tool isn’t pre-installed, you’ll need to grab it from the Microsoft Store.

Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows 11 PC.
Search for Windows File Recovery.
Click Get or Install.
Wait for the installation to complete.

Once installed, you’ll find it in your Start menu.

Step 2: Understand Recovery Modes

Windows File Recovery offers three different modes. Choosing the right one depends on your situation:

Mode	Best For	File System Support	Description
Default	Recently deleted files	NTFS	Quick scan, works if files were deleted recently.
Segment	Lost but existing file fragments	NTFS	Uses file system segments, helpful if MFT (Master File Table) is corrupted.
Signature	Any drive type	NTFS, FAT, exFAT, ReFS	Searches for specific file types based on file signatures.

👉 If you’re unsure, start with Default mode. If it fails, try Segment, then Signature.

Step 3: Launch Windows File Recovery

Press Windows + S and type Windows File Recovery.
Right-click the app and select Run as administrator.
The Command Prompt window will open.

At first glance, it may look intimidating, but don’t worry—we’ll break it down step by step.

Step 4: Basic Command Syntax

The basic format of the command is:

source-drive – The drive where files were deleted.
destination-drive – A different drive where recovered files will be saved.
/mode – Default, Segment, or Signature.
/switches – Additional options, like file type filters.

👉 Important: You cannot save recovered files on the same drive you’re recovering from.

Step 5: Recover Recently Deleted Files (Default Mode)

Let’s say you accidentally deleted a Word document from your C: drive, and you want to save it to your D: drive. You’d run:

This scans for recently deleted files on C: and restores them to D:.

Step 6: Recover Files with Specific Extensions

If you only want to recover specific file types (like JPGs or PDFs), use filters. For example:

This tells Windows File Recovery to look only for .jpg and .pdf files.

Step 7: Use Segment Mode for Corrupted File Systems

If the file table (MFT) is damaged, you can try Segment mode:

This searches for Word documents using file segments.

Step 8: Use Signature Mode for External Drives

Signature mode is best for recovering files from USB drives, SD cards, or external hard drives:

Here, E: is the external drive, and recovered videos are saved to D:.

Step 9: Save and Access Recovered Files

Once the scan finishes:

Recovered files will be saved in a folder named Recovery_<date> on your destination drive.
Open the folder to check your recovered files.

Step 10: Tips for Successful File Recovery

To increase your chances of recovering files:

🚫 Stop using the drive immediately after deletion.
✅ Always recover files to a different drive.
🔄 Try different modes (Default → Segment → Signature).
⏳ Be patient — deep scans may take hours on large drives.

Alternative Recovery Options in Windows 11

While Windows File Recovery is powerful, sometimes you may prefer easier options:

Recycle Bin – Always check here first.
File History – If enabled, restore previous versions of files.
System Restore – Roll back system settings and files.
Third-Party Tools – Tools like Recuva or EaseUS offer graphical interfaces.

Common Errors and Fixes

“Access Denied” Error

Run the tool as Administrator.

“Invalid Command” Error

Double-check syntax and spelling.

Files Not Found

Try Segment or Signature mode.
Make sure you’re targeting the correct drive.

FAQs About Windows File Recovery in Windows 11

1. Can Windows File Recovery restore files from a formatted drive?

Yes, but success depends on how much data was overwritten. Use Signature mode for formatted drives.

2. Does Windows File Recovery work on SSDs?

Yes, but SSDs with TRIM enabled may permanently erase deleted data, reducing success rates.

3. Can I recover files from OneDrive using this tool?

No, it only works on local drives. For OneDrive, check the cloud recycle bin.

4. Is Windows File Recovery safe to use?

Yes, it’s an official Microsoft app. It doesn’t harm your system or original files.

5. What if I don’t like command-line tools?

You can use third-party recovery apps with graphical interfaces, but start with Windows File Recovery since it’s free and secure.

Conclusion

Learning how to use Windows File Recovery in Windows 11 may seem daunting at first because it’s a command-line tool, but once you understand the syntax, it’s straightforward. Start with Default mode for recently deleted files, move to Segment if needed, and finally try Signature for deep scans.

Remember: the sooner you act after data loss, the higher your chances of recovery.

So the next time you accidentally delete a file, don’t panic. Fire up Windows File Recovery, follow the steps we covered, and you might just save the day.