Restore Permanently Deleted Files Windows 11: 4 Best Solutions

You might have been in a situation where you deleted a file or document you thought you didn’t need, and moments later, you realized that you actually needed that specific file, and you don’t know how to restore the permanently deleted files in your Windows 11 device.

If this is you, this article will walk you through the steps to successfully restore permanently deleted files on Windows 11, so ensure to follow the outlined solutions carefully.

How do I restore permanently deleted files on Windows 11?

We recommend trying out these quick tips before going for our more comprehensive solutions.

• Hold the Ctrl + Z buttons together to restore a file that was recently deleted. This is the easiest way of restoring a deleted file.
• Get the file from your recycle bin. When a file is deleted, it first goes to the recycle bin where it stays for 30 days before being permanently erased. You can easily restore your file by going to the bin.

If the steps above do not work, go ahead with our more detailed solutions.

1. Use the File History to restore your files

File History is a backup feature in Windows that automatically saves copies of your files and folders. This can be helpful for restoring permanently deleted files, as well as files that have been lost or damaged. Follow the steps below to use this feature.

1. Hit the Windows + S keys to bring up the search bar, type file history in the text box, and choose Restore your files with File History.
   
2. Go to the folder that previously contained your deleted files.
3. Next, choose the files you want to get, then click on the green button to restore these files.
   
4. Keep in mind that for the process to work, you should have configured File History before the loss of your data. If it was not enabled beforehand, this process will not work.

2. Use backup and restore

Your files can be recovered if they are lost or destroyed thanks to backup and restore, which makes a copy of your files, including deleted files. It can help restore your system to a particular point in time when your files were still available on your PC.

1. Hold Ctrl + S to bring up the Search bar, type Control Panel in the text area, and select the first option.
   
2. Select Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
   
3. Click the Restore my files button.
   
4. Choose the Browse for files option to choose the required files, and once you are done, select Add files.
   
5. Select Next.
   
6. Finally, choose Restore to get your deleted files.
   

3. Restore a previous version

Another option you can try is the Restore a previous version feature. This tool allows you to restore files and folders to a previous state. This can be quite useful if you accidentally delete a file or folder, or if a file or folder is corrupted. Follow the steps below to use this feature.

1. Go to the location where the deleted file used to be.
2. Click the three dots located at the top right corner of the window and select Properties.
   
3. Navigate to the Previous Versions tab.
   
4. Choose a folder version with a date/time when the file was still present and click the Open button.
   
5. To restore the files, select them and move them to another folder.
   

4. Restore using OneDrive recycle bin

Using the Restore OneDrive recycle bin can help you restore your permanently deleted files by providing you with a second chance to recover them. When you delete a file from OneDrive, it is moved to the OneDrive recycle bin for 30 days. After 30 days, the file is permanently deleted from OneDrive. If the files you want to recover are within the 30-day period, follow the steps below to restore them.

1. Log into your Microsoft account.
2. On the left tab, select the Recycle bin option.
   
3. Right-click on the file you wish to restore, then click the Restore button.
   

In conclusion, following the steps listed in this guide should help you successfully restore permanently deleted files on Windows 11. If you have further questions or need more clarification, contact us via the comment section below.

If you would also like to know how to repair corrupted files on Windows easily, check out this article that talks about the best Corrupted File Repair Software available today.