Windows 11: Accidentally Deleted Files? Here’s How to Get Them Back for Free

Has this ever happened to you? One careless moment — you hit Delete or empty the Recycle Bin — and suddenly your USB photos, the final version of a report, or worse, your thesis with no backup, are gone. Take a deep breath: in Windows 11, there are plenty of ways to recover deleted files, and many of them are completely free if you act smartly. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything — from built-in system features to Microsoft’s official recovery tool — and share some practical tips to boost your chances of success. Let’s go step by step.

1) Before doing anything: Did you really delete it “forever”?

Before jumping into complex recovery methods, check these quick points:

• Did you delete it with Delete or Shift + Delete?

  • If you only pressed Delete, the file is most likely still in the Recycle Bin. Open the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, find the file, right-click it, and choose Restore. Done. (This solves most everyday cases.)

• Do you have OneDrive active or File History enabled?

  • Windows 11 can save copies to the cloud if you have OneDrive syncing. Log into OneDrive (web), check the Recycle Bin or the original folder.

  • If you’ve enabled File History (Settings → Backup → File History), you can restore previous versions of files and folders.

  • Important: these options only work if they were turned on before the deletion.

If none of this works, don’t panic — there’s still hope.

2) Official free tool: Windows File Recovery

Microsoft provides a free utility called Windows File Recovery, designed to help you recover deleted files — even those removed from the Recycle Bin — as long as the data hasn’t been overwritten yet.

What it is and what it does

• It’s an official Microsoft tool (safe and ad-free).

• Works with NTFS, FAT, and exFAT file systems.

• Can recover documents, photos, videos, and compressed files.

• It runs via the command line, so you’ll need to type a few commands (don’t worry — it’s easy if you follow the guide).

How to install it

1. Open the Microsoft Store.

2. Search for Windows File Recovery and click Get / Install.

3. Wait for the installation to complete.

How to use it (step by step)

Golden rule: NEVER save recovered files on the same drive where they were deleted. Doing so can overwrite the very data you’re trying to recover.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

   • Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

2. Basic syntax:

   winfr <source_drive>: <destination_drive> /n <path_or_filter>

   Example to recover a specific file:

   winfr C: E:\Recovered /n \Users\YourName\Documents\report.docx

   • C: is where the file was originally located.

   • E:\Recovered is where recovered files will be saved (must be a different drive).

   • /n specifies the file name or pattern.

3. To recover by file type (e.g. all JPG images on D:):

   winfr D: E:\Recovered /n *.jpg

4. Advanced mode — for files deleted long ago or when the disk is damaged:
   Use signature mode with /r (or /x depending on the version):

   winfr D: E:\Recovered /r /n *.docx

   Files recovered this way may appear with random names. Open them manually to verify their contents.

5. Once done, check your destination folder. Some files might be renamed — open them to confirm what’s what.

Pro tips for using Windows File Recovery

• Always save results to a different drive.

• If your operating system is on the affected drive, consider booting from another PC or an external disk.

• If you’re not comfortable with commands, ask for help — it’s straightforward if you follow the examples carefully.

3) Nothing worked? Try this next

• Stop using the affected drive immediately. Don’t install or download anything to it.

• You can try reputable third-party recovery tools (there are free options, but avoid suspicious software).

• If the data is truly critical — family photos, legal documents, thesis work — consider contacting a professional data recovery service. It costs money, but for complex cases, it’s the most reliable option.

4) Best practices to avoid this in the future

• Enable OneDrive and sync key folders (Documents, Desktop, Pictures).

• Turn on File History or make automatic backups to an external drive.

• Perform at least one full system backup per month (or more often for important data).

• Always review your Recycle Bin before emptying it — maybe wait a day or two.

• Use automatic versioning or cloud-backup software that keeps file histories.

5) Quick recap

1. Pressed Delete? → Check Recycle Bin.

2. OneDrive or File History active? → Restore from the cloud or a previous version.

3. Permanently deleted? → Use Windows File Recovery, saving everything on another drive.

4. Stop writing data to the affected drive — overwriting kills recovery chances.

5. Critical file? → Consider professional recovery.

Losing a file feels awful — I know — but it’s often not the total disaster it seems. If you act fast, use the right method, and avoid writing to the same drive, you stand a good chance of getting your data back. More importantly, let this be a reminder: regular backups, cloud sync, and versioning will save you from future panic.