How to Use the Windows File Recovery App

Windows file recovery app is currently available for Windows 10 2004 and above. The app is valuable if you accidentally deleted an essential file, cleared your hard drive, or are dealing with corrupted data. The app can help recover your data, from photos to documents, videos, and more.

With this application, you can recover files from your camera or SD card, alleviating any concerns about permanent data loss. It is a top pick for numerous users seeking to locate their necessary data on hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, or memory cards.

Using the Windows File Recovery app

The Windows File Recovery app primarily operates through typed instructions in a command-line program rather than a graphical user interface. This functionality may pose a challenge for those unfamiliar with the command-line function. Use the following steps to use the tool:

1. Simultaneously hold the Windows and S keys, search for store, and hit Enter.
   
2. When the Microsoft Store opens, enter Windows File Recovery into the search bar and hit Enter.
   
3. Thirdly, click the Windows File Recovery app from the available results.
   
4. Then, click the Get button to begin downloading and installing the utility.
   
5. Afterward, hold the Windows + S keys to open Windows search, search for command, hold CTRL and Shift keys, and hit ENTER to start Command Prompt as an admin.
   
6. When you receive a prompt, click Yes.
   
7. Once the console opens, enter the command below:
   winfr
   
8. To recover files, enter the command using the following format:
   winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/switches]
9. Ensure that the source drive is different from the destination drive.
10. When trying to recover from the OS drive (usually C: ), use the switches below to specify the user files or folder
    /n <filter> and /y:<type<(s)>
    
11. You may use any of the three modes (Default, Segment, and Signature) to recover files.

Default mode instances may include:

1. Recover a file from the C: drive to a recovery folder on an E: drive:
   winfr C: E: /n \Users\<username>\Documents\AdmissionLetter.docx
2. Recover photos in jpeg and png formats from the Pictures folder to a recovery folder on an E: drive:
   winfr C: E: /n \Users\<username>\Pictures\*.JPEG /n \Users\<username>\Pictures\*.PNG
3. Recover a Documents folder from the C: drive to a recovery folder on an E: drive:
   winfr C: E: /n \Users\<username>\Documents\
4. Remember to include the backslash (\) at the end of the folder.

Segment mode (/r) instances may include:

1. Recover PDF and Microsoft Word files from your C: drive to a recovery folder on an E: drive using the following command:
   winfr C: E: /r /n *.pdf /n *.docx
2. Recover a file with the “invoice” string in the filename by using wildcard characters like this:
   winfr C: E: /r /n *invoice*

Signature mode (/x) instances may include:

1. First, confirm the supported extension groups and corresponding file types when using this mode with the following command:
   winfr /#
2. Recover JPEG (jpg, jpeg, jpe, jif, jfif, jfi) and PNG photos from your C: drive to a recovery folder on an E: drive with the following command:
   winfr C: E: /x /y:JPEG,PNG
3. Recover ZIP files (zip, docx, xlsx, ptpx, and more) from your C: drive to a recovery folder on an E: drive with the following command:
   winfr C: E:\RecoveryTest /x /y:ZIP

When prompted for confirmation to proceed, enter Y to begin the recovery process. Depending on your source drive size, this process may last a while. Hit the Ctrl + C hotkeys to quit the recovery process.

In conclusion, the Windows File Recovery app is a robust tool for retrieving lost files from various storage devices and is without charge. It is accessible on the Microsoft Store and can operate in Regular and Extensive modes.

The Regular mode is ideal for recovering recently deleted files, while the Extensive mode is suitable for retrieving files that have been deleted for an extended period. We recommend saving the restored files on a different drive than the one they were deleted from when using the tool.