What happens to files in a folder on a Windows system when the folder is deleted?
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We’ve all done it, and most of us will do it again at some point in the future. We’re talking, of course, about accidentally deleting important files using the Shift + Delete shortcut in Windows 10, which removes the possibility to simply recover them from the Recycle Bin. Show
The good news is that not all hope is lost when you select wrong files and accidentally delete them because there are many ways how to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10 users should know about, and we describe them all in this article. How to Recover Deleted Files from a Recycle Bin in Windows 10As you may know, when you normally select a file in Windows 10 and hit Delete on your keyboard, the file moves to the Recycle Bin, where it sits until you manually empty the Recycle Bin, giving you time to change your mind and easily rescue the deleted file. To recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin on Windows 10:
The problem with this way of deleting files is that it doesn’t immediately free up any storage space, which is why most people delete files in the first place. Only when you manually empty the Recycle Bin does Windows mark the disk space occupied by the deleted files as empty. If you want to delete a file that you’re 100% positive won’t be needed in the future, you can skip the Recycle Bin and use the Shift + Delete shortcut to delete it permanently right away. When you delete a file using the Shift + Delete shortcut, you immediately free up storage space, but you deprive yourself of the possibility to simply recover it from the Recycle Bin. However, just because you can’t recover permanently deleted files from Recycle Bin doesn’t mean you can’t recover them at all. Just keep in mind that you need to act quickly and recover your permanently deleted files before they get overwritten. The recovery process may take a while to finish, so be patient and don’t interrupt it. If possible, don’t do anything at all on your computer while the recovery process is running because you could overwrite the deleted files and make recovery impossible. Recover Permanently Deleted Files from an Older BackupEven though Backup and Restore was completely removed from the Windows operating system in Windows 8.1 in favor of File History (more about File History in the next chapter of this article), it’s still possible to recover data on Windows 10 computers from backups created using the Backup and Restore tool. Recover Deleted Files Using Data Recovery Software ✅To Recover Deleted Files in Windows 10 follow these steps:
Disk Drill allows you to recover up to 500MB of data without paying, and it comes with a tool to protect your files against data loss. Use the Windows File Recovery ToolUnfortunately, Windows File Recovery is a command-line tool, so it’s not nearly as intuitive as Disk Drill and other graphical data recovery tools. At least you can download it for free directly from the Microsoft Store—at least if you have Windows 10 build 19041 or later. Use the following syntax to recover lost data with the Windows File Recovery tool:
You can find more information about the available recovery modes and switches on the official support page. Here’s an example of how the latest version of the Windows File Recovery tool can be used to recover PDF files from C: drive to E: drive:
The tool will automatically create a recovery folder on the destination drive and copy all recoverable files there. Restore Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 10 for Free from a File History BackupTo Recover Deleted Files on Windows 10 for free:
If you cannot see any folders, that’s probably because File History is turned off. In that case, you should see an option to turn it on. Use the Restore Previous Versions Feature
How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Google DriveHow? Simply perform data recovery on the drive where you store the Google Drive folder to recover files that are no longer recoverable using the ConclusionAs you can see, even files deleted with the Shift + Delete keyboard shortcut in Windows 10 aren’t actually permanently deleted as long as you know what to do and act quickly enough. The next time someone asks you, “How do I recover permanently deleted files from my PC?” you can just point the person to this article or, better yet, recommend Disk Drill, the only data recovery solution you need. FAQYou can recover deleted files in Windows 10 without third-party software by restoring them from the Recycle Bin:
That depends on how you define permanently deleted files. If you mean files that have recently been deleted from the Recycle Bin, then we have good news for you: such files can usually be recovered. But if you mean files that you deleted a long time ago, then you most likely won’t be able to recover them. Yes, there are several free data recovery software solutions for Windows 10 that you can download for free:
That depends on two things: your luck and whether you’re backing up your data. If you’re lucky, the deleted file is still present on your hard drive, which means that you can recover it with data recovery software. Of course, backups, such as those created with File History, can be used to recover any file regardless of how long it has been deleted. When you either empty the Recycle Bin with deleted files or use the Shift + Delete shortcut to delete files, Windows marks the files as deleted and removes all pointers to them, which is why such files become invisible for the user. Moreover, the space that was used by the deleted files becomes marked as free space. So technically, the deleted files will still be physically present on your computer until Windows overwrites them with new data. If you have the File History feature set up on your computer, you can use it to recover deleted files. Follow these steps to recover a permanently deleted file in Windows 10 via File History:
Robert AgarRobert is a freelance writer who graduated from Pace University in New York with a Computer Science degree in 1992. Former computer specialist at IBM. Over the course of a long IT career, he has worked for a number of lar... Read full bio Robert is a freelance writer who graduated from Pace University in New York with a Computer Science degree in 1992. Former computer specialist at IBM. Over the course of a long IT career, he has worked for a number of lar... Read full bio Approved by Brett JohnsonThis article has been approved by Brett Johnson, Data Recovery Engineer at ACE Data Recovery. Brett has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Systems and Network, 12 years of experience. This article has been approved by Brett Johnson, Data Recovery Engineer at ACE Data Recovery. Brett has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Systems and Network, 12 years of experience. What happens to files in a folder on a Windows system when the folder is deleted quizlet?The files are moved to the Recycle Bin.
What happens to files in a folder when the folder is deleted?Recycling Bin
When a file is deleted, it is sent to the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin can be found on the Desktop. Its icon resembles a recycle bin or trash can, and the icon changes depending on whether the Recycle Bin contains any files. The recycle bin is a holding place for deleted files.
What happens when Windows folder deleted?The Recycle Bin
Whenever you delete a file on your system, Windows sends it to the Recycle Bin. This is a special place where deleted files are kept until you permanently delete or restore them.
Does deleting a folder delete everything in the folder?Remember, when you delete a folder, you're also deleting everything inside of it. Note: If you think you might need that folder (and its contents) later, back it up to a data file before you delete it. Right-click the folder you want to delete and click Delete Folder.
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