Free Download File Recovery Software for Windows 10 and 11 | Safely Recover Lost Data

Even the most cautious users face data loss risks — whether from accidental deletion, system crashes, or corrupted storage drives. This guide will analyze the possible causes of file loss on Win10 system and recommend free downloadable file recovery software.

By @Aria
Last Updated April 11, 2025

Data Loss Impacts 65% of Users Yearly

According to Backblaze's 2023 Data Durability Report, 4,189 hard drives failed throughout the year, which means that on average, a hard drive needs to be replaced every two hours and five minutes. Moreover, it also means that about 65% of users may lose their computer data files due to hard disk failure annually. Among them, accidental deletion and mistakenly hard disk formatting are the main reasons for data loss.

In daily computer use, a careless deletion, a system crash, or even a USB flash drive suddenly prompted formatting, may plunge us into instant panic—think about last week stayed up all night to organize the annual report, or the first photo of the birth of a child, or carefully edited graduation video ... ... Dose these files, which hold precious memories, stand no chance of being recovered?

Absolutely not! The good news is that while all the files have disappeared into thin air, we can still retrieve these crucial memories with deleted file recovery software for Windows 10 and 11.

The Cause of File Loss on Windows 10 and 11

There are many reasons for file loss on Windows 10 and 11, with the following being the most common.

  • User –Accidental Deletion: Accidental deletion of important files is common occurrence that can happen to anyone. Shift + delete permanently deleted files usually cannot be recovered directly in the Recycle Bin (check out how to recover shift deleted files in Windows 10).
  • System Crash: System crashes, blue - screen errors, or improper shutdowns can cause file system corruption and the files being written or read at that time may be damaged or lost.
  • Software Bugs: Some applications may have bugs that cause them to overwrite or delete important files. For example, a software update might introduce a bug that corrupts the data it is supposed to manage.
  • Virus Attack: Specific kinds of viruses may damage the computer’s operating system, encrypt the user’s files unauthorized, or simply overwrite the contents of the file, making it impossible for the user to access the file normally.
  • Hardware Failure: Physical damage to the hard drive, such as a head crash, bad sectors, or motor failure, can lead to file loss. Over time, hard drives experience wear and tear, and the risk of failure increases.

Free Download File Recovery Software for Windows 10

Although the files are often lost, it is not the “end of the world”. Next I will introduce two completely free and safe data recovery programs for Windows 10 and 11 to you.

1.Windows File Recovery

This is a data—recovery app provided by Microsoft. It can search for photos, documents, videos and other type of files and this tool can recover what you need from your computer, USB drive, SD cards, and more.

Step 1. Download—To ensure a smooth installation, obtain the software from the official Microsoft Store. Once downloaded, carefully follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process.

 

Step 2. Run as Administrator—Once the download is complete, locate Windows File Recovery in the start menu, right click and select “Run as administrator”.

Step 3. Run Command—In the opened command prompt window, enter the following command: Winfr H: D:\test /regular (Replace the letter “H” with the exact letter of your drive.)

This command is used to direct Windows File Recovery to recover files from the H: drive. It will then save the retrieved files to the D:\test folder. The regular recovery mode, which is centered around recently deleted files, will be employed for this operation.

2. MyRecover

Windows File Recovery can be used to recover files from accessible disk or partition. But it won't do anything if the disk or partition is damaged or has disappeared. Then you need the third-party free data recovery software—MyRecover. This tool is incredibly easy to use. Even if you're a complete beginner with no technical skills, you can recover lost data effortlessly—no complicated commands, no need for outside help.

MyRecover is compatible with multiple Windows systems, including Windows 11,10,8,7 and Windows Server unlike Windows File Recovery which may have more limited compatibility. MyRecover is also much easier and more straightforward to operate, so that even non-technical users can easily get started.

Myrecover also supports data recovery in a wide range of scenarios, such as  file permanent deletion, recycle bin empty, partition deleted or lost. This makes it highly adaptable for user in diverse scenarios. The tool works through scanning the entire operating system to recover deleted files in Windows10 and 11.

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer (Take care not to install it on a partition where data has been lost.).

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Step 2. Select the disk where you want to recover the files and click "Scan", then it will start searching disk.

Step 3. Once the scan is complete, MyRecover will display all the recoverable files on the disk, then select the files you want to recover and click “Recover”.

Step 4. Select a different destination drive to save the recovered files.

After that, wait for a few seconds for the file recovery process to finish and you will find the lost files in the selected destination disk.

Tips for Successful File Recovery via MyRecover

  • One crucial thing to remember during the file recovery is to save the recovered files to a different location than the original one where they were lost. Otherwise, it may cause file data overwriting.
  • Remembering the disk location of the lost files will be more helpful in retrieving them. Otherwise, you will need to scan the entire system to recover the files. Given the large number of files, this process may take a significant amount of time and make it more difficult to identify the specific files you want to recover.
  • If a file is deleted thoroughly, it’s original name may be corrupted. You can find the files you want to recover by filtering the file types if necessary.

  • When a file’s original name is corrupted, and you are unsure if it’s the one you want to recover, you can click “Preview” to view it’s contents (this option only available in Professional and higher editions).

Conclusion

After reading this, you must be clear about the possible causes of file loss in the Windows 10 system. Also you have known how to recover lost files and got some useful cautions on using the free data recovery software—MyRecover. These two free-downloadable data recovery software programs for Win10 and 11 can meet the needs of different people.

While Windows File Recovery caters more to tech-savvy users with its complex operations, MyRecover stands out by offering a streamlined recovery process that’s equally intuitive for both professionals and everyday users. What's more, for power users with demanding needs, MyRecover provides specialized editions like Professional and Technician versions - featuring unrestricted data recovery quota and multi-device support without any limitations.