How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Files on Windows

Deleted a file by mistake? Windows has a Recycle Bin and a File History backup feature. Here's how to get your files back.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Check the Recycle Bin first
2.Use Ctrl+Z to undo immediately
3.Check OneDrive if the file was in your OneDrive folder
4.Use File History to restore older versions
5.Use Windows File Recovery for permanently deleted files

Check the Recycle Bin first

~18s

Look for the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop (it looks like a trash can). Double-click to open it. If you see your deleted file, right-click it and choose "Restore." The file will go back to its original location instantly. If the Recycle Bin is empty, move to the next step.

Use Ctrl+Z to undo immediately

~21s

If you just deleted the file moments ago, press Ctrl+Z (hold Ctrl and press Z). This "undo" shortcut works in File Explorer and can instantly reverse a deletion before the file even reaches the Recycle Bin.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Ctrl+Z works for many mistakes beyond deletions — typing errors, moved files, renamed folders — and is one of the most useful keyboard shortcuts to know.

Check OneDrive if the file was in your OneDrive folder

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If the deleted file was stored in your OneDrive folder, go to onedrive.live.com in your browser and sign in. On the left side, click "Recycle bin." OneDrive keeps deleted files for 30 days. Find your file, check the box next to it, and click "Restore."

Use File History to restore older versions

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If you had File History set up (Windows > Settings > Update & Security > Backup), navigate to the folder where the file used to be. Right-click the folder and choose "Restore previous versions." A list of saved snapshots will appear. Find one from before the deletion and click Restore.

Warning

File History only works if you set it up before the deletion happened. If you haven't turned it on, consider setting it up today so you're protected in the future.

Use Windows File Recovery for permanently deleted files

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If none of the above worked, Microsoft offers a free tool called Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store. It's a command-line tool (more advanced) that scans your drive for recoverable data. Search "Windows File Recovery" in the Microsoft Store to install it.

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Accidentally deleting a file is one of the most common computer mistakes — and one of the most fixable. Windows gives you several ways to recover deleted files depending on how and when they were deleted.

The fastest recovery is from the Recycle Bin. When you delete a file normally (pressing Delete or right-clicking and choosing Delete), Windows doesn't actually erase it — it moves it to the Recycle Bin where it sits until you empty it. As long as you haven't emptied the Recycle Bin, you can restore the file in seconds.

If the Recycle Bin has been emptied, there's still hope. Windows has a feature called File History (if you've set it up) that keeps older versions of your files. OneDrive also keeps deleted files for 30 days. This guide walks through all your options.

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