How to Recover Data Without Backup on Windows & iPhone | Proven Methods for 2025

Is it Possible to Recover Data Without Backup?

As computers and mobile phones are used for longer periods, the amount of file data generated increases exponentially, making data backup increasingly important. However, many people remain reluctant to back up their data for various reasons, typically including:

• Believing that data loss will never happen to them;
• Considering external hard drives, cloud backups and other backup tools too expensive;
• Finding massive data migration too time-consuming;
• Thinking backups take up too much disk space;
• Worrying about privacy leaks from cloud backup tools;
• Losing trust due to failed backup experiences.

In such cases, unexpected loss of data without a backup can become a real headache. So, is it possible to recover data without backup? Absolutely yes, in many cases. Whether you’re on Windows or iOS, there are effective ways to restore deleted files even if you never created a backup. This guide will walk you through how to recover deleted files without backup on both Windows and iPhone, using simple, step-by-step methods.

How to Recover Data Without Backup on Windows

As many people are aware, when a file is deleted on Windows, it usually doesn’t disappear immediately. Instead, it may be moved to the Recycle Bin or marked as "free space" until overwritten — which means there's a window of opportunity to recover it. In addition to the Recycle Bin, here are three other methods to help you recover data.

Method 1. Undo the Deletion

If you delete an important file by mistake, you can undo the deletion within seconds before performing any other operations.

Step 1. Right-click the blank space inside the folder where the deletion happened.

Step 2. Click "Undo Delete" from the context menu or press "Ctrl + Z" to instantly undo the action.

Once again, this method only works if the action is recent and hasn’t been overwritten. Once you carry out any other actions, this method will no longer be available.

Method 2. Check the Recycle Bin

If you only delete files temporarily (not using "Shift + Delete" for permanent deletion) on Windows, they will be moved to the Recycle Bin, waiting for you to restore them until the Recycle Bin is emptied.

Step 1. Double click the Recycle Bin icon to open it.

Step 2. Browse through the items and select the file you want to recover.

Step 3. Right click on it and choose "Restore" to return it to its original location.

Method 3. Run Windows File Recovery Command

If files are no longer in the Recycle Bin, it may have been permanently deleted. This is where Windows File Recovery comes into play. It is a command-line tool released by Microsoft for users to recover deleted or lost files without backup from local storage devices.

Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery on your computer from the official Microsoft channel.

Step 2. Open Windows File Recovery and run it as administrator.

Step 3. Type the command "Winfr F: E: /regular" and press "Enter". Replace the drive letters "F" and "E" with your actual drive letters. If the regular mode fails to find the files you want, you can also switch to the "extensive" mode.

When the process is finished, you can press "y" to access and check the recovered files in the destination folder.

Notes:✎...

Windows File Recovery only works on Windows 10 and 11.

Method 4. Recover with Professional Data Recovery Tool: MyRecover

If you're uncomfortable with command-line tools, MyRecover is tailor-made for you. It adopts a graphical user interface (GUI) that simplifies the data recovery process, allowing even computer novices to independently recover data by simply clicking icons without any backups. Here are the standout features of MyRecover.

✅No Command Line Needed – Simple GUI (graphical interface) for easy file recovery.

✅Higher Success Rate – Advanced deep scan for NTFS/FAT32/exFAT drives.

✅500+ Device Support – Recover files from all types of devices like SSD, HDD, USB flash drive, SD card, cameras and more.

✅Handle 500+ Data Loss Scenarios – Recover from deleted partition, emptied Recycle Bin, system crash, virus attack, etc.

✅OS Compatibility – Work not only on Windows 11 /10, but also on Windows 8.1/ 8/ 7 and all Servers.

✅Smart Scan Modes – Choose from Quick Scan for recent deletions or Deep Scan for formatted/corrupted drives.

4 Steps to Recover Data on Windows Without Backup

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer, avoid installing it on the drive with lost files.

Step 2. Launch it and select the drive where the deleted files were stored to scan, then click "Scan".

Step 3. Select the files you want to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 4. Choose a safe location (no the original one) to save the recovered files.

Once the process is completed, the message "Files have been recovered successfully" will pop up. You can access and check the recovered files by clicking the destination folder.

How to Recover Data Without Backup on iPhone

On iPhones, data recovery without backup (via iCloud or iTunes) is more limited but still possible, especially with third-party tools designed for this purpose. MyRecover for iOS supports recovering files such as photos, videos, contacts, and WeChat history on iOS devices without any backup. Follow these steps to recover data on iPhone:

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover for iOS on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer.

Step 2. Click "Scan now" on MyRecover for iOS to scan for lost files.

Step 3. Choose the files you want to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Final Words

While backups are always recommended, it’s entirely possible to recover data without backup on both Windows and iOS if you act quickly and use the right tools. No matter the platform, avoid using the affected device immediately after deletion to prevent data overwriting — this increases your chances of successful recovery.

If you're looking for a reliable data recovery software as an alternative to backups, we strongly recommend MyRecover. Both its Windows and iOS versions help you recover data without backups, covering most data loss scenarios in your life.