It has happened to all of us at some time or another. Either you have been slightly too enthusiastic while deleting unneeded files, or your finger slipped; in any case, you have now deleted files that you know you'll need later. It can be tempting to panic at this point - whether the file is important for a program you use, or contains crucial information, it can seem like you have made a mistake from which there is no recovery. This, however, is not actually true. When you delete a file, it doesn't actually disappear straight away; all that happens is the operating system marks that area of the disc as "empty", so future files can be written to it. As long as you haven't done anything since accidentally deleting the file, there is still a chance to recover it. Here are three tips to help you recover that all-important deleted file.
1. Stop using the computer
This is the most important rule. If you panic, you may end up taking action that will ultimately stop you from recovering the file. So once the file has been deleted, stop what you are doing. Even accessing the internet can potentially overwrite the space in which the information is stored, so whatever you do from here, do it on a different computer.
2. Find a data recovery program
Search the internet for a data recovery program using a different computer. There are many reliable programs, and even more unreliable ones, so once you find one make sure you do your research on it. If you find one that looks reliable and has a few recommendations backing it up, see if it has a free trial. Often, these sorts of programs allow you to scan for recoverable files without purchase, so you'll be able to see if your file is still there. Even if you deleted the file some time ago, you may be lucky and it might still be there, so run the scan and see what you find. If you see the file, then you should now install and run the program. Be aware that most reputable data recovery programs require you to buy a license; it will be a case of measuring up the cost of purchase against the cost of losing your data.
3. Don't install the program to the hard drive
Remember that you can't install the program onto the hard drive from which you're trying to recover the file, as it may overwrite parts of the file in the process. Instead, use an external hard drive, memory card or memory stick. During install, it may prompt you to place an icon on your desktop - do not do this either. Limit the impact the program has on your main hard drive, and you increase your chances of recovering your data.
These steps are a sure-fire way to recover lost information, if doing so is still possible. Pay special attention to the main point here: once the files are marked by the operating system as deleted, it's the luck of the draw as to whether or not additional files will overwrite them. So follow these guidelines and maximise your chances of being able to undo your little mistake.
1. Stop using the computer
This is the most important rule. If you panic, you may end up taking action that will ultimately stop you from recovering the file. So once the file has been deleted, stop what you are doing. Even accessing the internet can potentially overwrite the space in which the information is stored, so whatever you do from here, do it on a different computer.
2. Find a data recovery program
Search the internet for a data recovery program using a different computer. There are many reliable programs, and even more unreliable ones, so once you find one make sure you do your research on it. If you find one that looks reliable and has a few recommendations backing it up, see if it has a free trial. Often, these sorts of programs allow you to scan for recoverable files without purchase, so you'll be able to see if your file is still there. Even if you deleted the file some time ago, you may be lucky and it might still be there, so run the scan and see what you find. If you see the file, then you should now install and run the program. Be aware that most reputable data recovery programs require you to buy a license; it will be a case of measuring up the cost of purchase against the cost of losing your data.
3. Don't install the program to the hard drive
Remember that you can't install the program onto the hard drive from which you're trying to recover the file, as it may overwrite parts of the file in the process. Instead, use an external hard drive, memory card or memory stick. During install, it may prompt you to place an icon on your desktop - do not do this either. Limit the impact the program has on your main hard drive, and you increase your chances of recovering your data.
These steps are a sure-fire way to recover lost information, if doing so is still possible. Pay special attention to the main point here: once the files are marked by the operating system as deleted, it's the luck of the draw as to whether or not additional files will overwrite them. So follow these guidelines and maximise your chances of being able to undo your little mistake.
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