Learn How to Retrieve Deleted Excel File Not in Recycle Bin

Why a Deleted Excel File Is Not in the Recycle Bin

It’s a common misconception that everything you delete goes to the Recycle Bin. In reality, when you can’t find a deleted Excel file in the recycle bin, it's usually because the file bypassed the recycle bin entirely.

There are several scenarios why Excel files are not in the recycle bin:

How Do File Systems Handle Deletion?

Permanent deletion isn’t always what it seems. When you delete a file, the operating system doesn't immediately wipe the data from your hard drive. Instead, it simply marks the space that the file occupied as "available for new data".The actual data bits of your Excel workbook remain sitting there until they are overwritten.

Stop Using the Drive Immediately

This is the single most important action you can take. If the lost Excel file was on your main computer drive (C:), minimize all activity. Do not save new files, install software, or download anything. Even routine system operations can write data to the drive, potentially overwriting your deleted file.

If the file was on an external drive, safely eject it and do not add any new files to it.

Recover Permanently Deleted Excel File Not in Recycle Bin- MyRecover (No Backups)

How to retrieve deleted Excel files not in the Recycle Bin? A professional data recovery software might be your choice. Because there is nothing you can do but use the tool. So, here comes the Windows data recovery software, MyRecover, to help you out of the trouble.

It is designed to scan the raw data on your drive, looking for the signatures of deleted files that haven’t been overwritten yet. With MyRecover, you can enjoy the following features:

Sector-by-sector scan. MyRecover scans sector by sector (deep scan) to find every possible file if required. Besides, you can use Quick Scan to find files quickly.

Recover files easily. MyRecover recovers files from any complex situation, like recovering files from a RAW partition, a corrupted SD card, a formatted hard drive, and many more.

Powerful preview. You can preview files before recovery, so you can verify that the files are intact.

500+ devices. You can recover files from SD Card, SSD, HDD, music players, video players, PS4/5, camera devices, and so on.

1,000+ file formats. Images, videos, audios, documents, archives, and other files can be recovered easily.

User-friendly interface. It’s only a few clicks to recover files without any complex operations.

So, how to retrieve deleted Excel file not in Recycle Bin in Windows 10 with the help of MyRecover? Check this:

1. Download and install MyRecover (Not the drive you are trying to recover from). Launch the application.

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2. Click Deleted Files Recovery, hit Scan while hovering over the drive.

3. Wait for the scan to complete, and hit OK.

4. Use search features to find all Excel files, then preview and choose the Excel files you need, hit Recover.

5. Opt for a safe location to save these Excel files, and hit Select Folder.

Tips:✎...

Once the scan is complete, you can browse the results by file path or file type. Besides, you can filter files using file size and file name.

You can recover unlimited files if needed.

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How to Retrieve Deleted Excel File Not in Recycle Bin (Need Backups)

If you have set up backups for your Excel files before permanently deleting them, you can restore them from these backups. Typically, Windows provides File History to back up your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Library to an external hard drive or a network location. Or backups in a cloud storage service can be your lifesaver. Of course, you can also use the search feature to find the Excel file modified before the deletion in other locations.

Way 1. Search on Your Windows Computer

If you have a copy of these Excel files in another location you aren’t aware of, you might think they are permanently deleted. So, first search for these Excel files on your computer.

You can restore the deleted Excel files from these backups if you find them.

1. Open File Explorer, navigate to the folder where the file was last located, and use the search bar in the top-right corner.

2. Try searching for part of the filename or the .xlsx extension. You can also use the "Date modified" filter to narrow down results to the time you were working on the file.

Or you have to use other ways to retrieve deleted Excel files not in the Recycle Bin.

Way 2. Restore Files via File History

If you had File History enabled before the deletion, you’ve hit the jackpot. This feature automatically saves versions of your files to an external drive or network location.

Here is how to recover a permanently deleted Excel file not in the recycle bin with File History:

1. Type "Restore your files with File History" in the Windows search bar and open it.

2. Navigate to the folder where your Excel file was stored. You can browse through different saved versions by date and time.

3. If you find it, select the file and click the green restore button.

This is a reminder for the future: setting up File History is one of the best preventative measures you can take. It’s a lifesaver for situations where you need to know how to retrieve deleted Excel file not in recycle bin on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Way 3. Checking Cloud Storage and Email Attachments

In today's connected world, we often forget where we save things. Check your OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox folders. The file might have been synced there without your knowledge. Also, think about whether you emailed the file to someone. Your "Sent Items" folder in your email client can sometimes be an unexpected backup.

FAQs About ExcelFile Recovery

Can I recover an Excel file after saving over it?

A: This is very difficult. Saving a new file with the same name overwrites the old data. Recovery software often can't retrieve it. Your best hope is a backup from File History, a system restore point, or a cloud service like OneDrive that keeps version history.

Is a professional data recovery service an option for an Excel file?

A: Yes, but it's a costly last resort. It's best for physical drive damage. For a simple deletion from a healthy drive, recovery software is sufficient and far more affordable than professional services.

Does the type of hard drive (HDD vs. SSD) affect recovery chances?

A: Yes, dramatically. HDDs offer a high recovery chance because data remains until overwritten. SSDs use TRIM technology, which can erase deleted data almost instantly, making recovery nearly impossible. Speed is critical with SSDs.

What if my Excel file is corrupted and won't open?

A: Recovery software may still find the file, but it could be damaged. You can recover it and then try to repair it using Excel's built-in "Open and Repair" feature on the recovered file.

How can I tell if my deleted Excel file is recoverable?

A: The best indicator is the preview function in data recovery software. If the software shows an accurate preview of your data, the file is likely recoverable. If it can't preview or is missing, it's probably corrupted or overwritten.

Are there any free methods that actually work for permanent deletion?

A: Truly effective free methods are limited. Windows' Previous Versions can work if pre-configured. Free software trials can scan and preview files, but usually require payment to recover. A paid tool is the most reliable path to success.

Conclusion

How to recover a deleted Excel file not in the Recycle Bin? First, check your computer; if there is no backup, check the previous version in File History if you have enabled it before the deletion. Also, check your cloud storage for these Excel files. If nothing works, you have to use a Windows data recovery software like MyRecover to recover Excel files that are not in the Recycle Bin.

Moreover, you can also recover files from a formatted SSD, SD card, USB flash drive, and many more.