Lost a File? Learn How to Recover Deleted File by Name Fast

About File Recovery by Name

The ability to recover deleted files by name is great for a precise recovery mission. This approach is crucial because it saves an immense amount of time and mental energy. Instead of recovering every single deleted item just to sift through them, you can target the one file you actually need. This guide is designed to walk you through every conceivable method, from the simplest checks to more advanced techniques, ensuring you have the best possible shot at getting your data back.

Stop Using the Drive or Device Immediately

The moments after you've accidentally hit delete are critical. The golden rule is to stop using the drive or device immediately. When a file is deleted, the space it occupied is marked as available—it’s not actually erased until new data overwrites it. If you continue to save files, download programs, or even browse the internet. You risk overwriting your deleted file, making it nearly impossible to recover the deleted file by name or otherwise. Take a deep breath and proceed with the following logical steps.

Part 1. Recover Deleted Files by Name on Windows

Way 1. Check the Recycle Bin

For Windows users, the Recycle Bin is the most obvious and easiest place to start. Check if your deleted files are stored in the Recycle Bin:

1. Please double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. This will open a window displaying all recently deleted items.

2. Now, you can search for your file by name in the Recycle Bin. There's a search bar in the top-right corner of the window. Type the name of the file you’re looking for, or even part of the name, and press Enter.

3. Windows will filter the results instantly.

4. If your file shows up, fantastic! Just right-click on it and select "Restore".

The file will magically reappear in its original location.

Way 2. Recover Deleted Files by Name via MyRecover

If your deleted files are not in the Recycle Bin, you have to use a third-party data recovery software to recover them easily. Fortunately, you can take advantage of MyRecover to make it. With MyRecover, you can enjoy the following benefits:

Support all Windows operating systems, such as Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP and Server 2025/2022/2019/2016/2012/2008.

Recover deleted files that are not in the recycle bin. MyRecover can recover deleted files that bypass the recycle bin. Besides, you can recover files from any complicated situation, like recovering from a formatted SSD, SD card, USB flash drive, etc.

Preview files before recovery. It’s very helpful to find the right file and ensure it’s intact if you can preview the files.

500+ devices. Many devices are supported, including SD cards, USB flash drives, memory cards, SSDs, HDDs, video players, music players, PS4/5, camera devices, and more.

Intuitive Interface. You can recover files easily, even if it’s the first time using it.

Easy Filter. You can filter files by file name, file size, file type, and file path, so it’s easy to recover deleted files by name.

Free version. It provides a free version, and you can recover deleted files by name for free.

So, how to recover deleted files by name with MyRecover? Here are the simple steps:

1. Launch MyRecover after installing, and ensure you do not install it on the drive where you’re recovering files from.

2. Tap Deleted Files Recovery, hit the drive where the files are located before the deletion, and tap Scan.

3. Wait for the scanning to complete and hit OK.

4. Input your file name in the top right search box, like ailsa document, it will show all the related files, click the files to preview. Then choose the files, and hit Recover.

5. Select a destination to save these files safely. Then check them at the destination location.

Tips:✎...

You can also recover unlimited files as you like.

To boot up an unbootable computer and recover files from it. Please create a Windows 11 bootable USB to make it.

Way 3. Use File History for Recovery

File History is a continuous backup tool that, when set up, automatically saves copies of your files to an external drive or network location. To check if it's enabled, type "File History" into the Windows search bar and open the control panel. If it's on and has been running, you're in luck.

1. Inside the File History window, you’ll see an option to "Restore personal files".

2. Clicking this opens an interface that looks like File Explorer, but through time.

3. You can navigate to the folder where your file was located. At the top, there are green left and right arrows to scroll through different backup dates.

4. Once you find a date from before the deletion, you can use the search bar in the top-right corner to search for your file by name. When you find it, select it, and hit the big green restore button to bring it back.

Part 2. Recover Deleted Files by Name on macOS

Way 1. Search in the Trash Folder

On a Mac, the Trash sits conveniently on your dock.

1. Click on the Trash icon (or Bin) to open it up, showing files you've recently sent to the digital void.

2. Use the search field in the top-right corner. Type in the filename you’re trying to find.

3. The Mac will quickly display any matches.

4. If you find your file, right-click (or Control-click) on it and select "Put Back".

This will restore the file to the folder it was originally deleted from.

If your file isn't in the trash, you have to use other ways to recover deleted files.

Way 2. Use macOS Time Machine for File Recovery

For those in the Apple ecosystem, Time Machine is a good backup plan for your files. If you’ve set it up and are working with an external drive, recovering a lost file is easy. It’s arguably one of the most user-friendly ways to recover deleted files by name.

1. First, connect your Time Machine backup drive.

2. Then, open a Finder window and navigate to the folder where your file was last located.

3. Now, click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar (it looks like a clock with a counter-clockwise arrow) and select "Enter Time Machine".

4. Your screen will transform, showing a cosmic view of your Finder window stretching back through time.

5. You can click on a specific point in time on the timeline to the right, or use the up and down arrows to fly through different backup dates.

6. Use the search bar that remains available in the Time Machine view. Type the filename, and it will highlight the file across all the available backups.

7. Find the version you want, select it, and click "Restore".

The file will be returned to its original location in the present day.

FAQs About Recovering Deleted Files by Name

H4: Can I really recover a permanently deleted file by its name?

A: Yes, if the data hasn't been overwritten. When you empty the Recycle Bin, the space is marked as available, but the data remains. Recovery software scans for this "deleted" data, reconstructing file information so you can search by name. Success is highly likely if you act fast.

H4: What is the most effective free method to recover a specific file?

A: If you have a backup tool like Windows File History or macOS Time Machine enabled, use that first for a clean restore. If not, reputable free software like MyRecover is your best bet. Use its search function after a scan to find your file by name quickly.

H4: How does software like MyRecover find files that the operating system can't see?

A: It operates at a deeper level than your OS. The software performs a raw scan of the drive, looking for file signatures (patterns that identify file types). It reconstructs the lost "address" of the deleted data, making it visible and recoverable again.

H4: Does recovering a file by name work on SSDs the same as on traditional hard drives?

A: It's more challenging on SSDs. Due to the TRIM command, which helps manage the drive, deleted data on an SSD is often erased much faster than on a traditional HDD. While recovery is possible, the chances of success are generally lower.

H4: What should I avoid doing after accidentally deleting an important file?

A: Stop all activity that writes data to the drive immediately. Do not save new files, install software (especially onto the same drive), or defragment the drive. The goal is to keep the drive static to prevent overwriting your deleted file.

H4: Are there any risks to using free data recovery software?

A: The main risk is downloading malware from unofficial sources. Always use the developer's official website. Legitimate software is safe and read-only during scanning. The free version may have data recovery limits, but it won't damage your files.

The End

How do I recover deleted files by file name on Windows and Mac computers? Check the above solutions and the step-by-step guide to recover files easily.

Besides, MyRecover allows you to recover files from a RAW partition, a formatted SSD, an emptied recycle bin, and many more. So, why not give it a try now?