Free Recover Deleted Files in Windows Server 2012 (R2)

Files Deleted from Windows Server 2012? Possible Causes

Windows Server 2012 (R2) is a powerful server operating system developed by Microsoft, widely used in enterprises for data storage, file sharing, and application hosting. It offers advanced management features, enhanced virtualization, and improved security compared to its predecessors, making it a reliable choice for business environments.

However, despite its stability, data loss still occurssimilar to Windows 11, 10, 8, 7. Files on Windows Server 2012 may be deleted accidentally by users or administrator. Besides, the following reasons can also lead to data loss in Server 2012 (R2):

• File overwriting during updates or migrations: System updates or data transfers can overwrite existing files.
• Hard drive corruption or bad sectors: Disk errors may make files inaccessible or lost.
• Virus or malware attacks damaging system files: Malicious programs can delete or corrupt important data.
• Unexpected power failures leading to unsaved data loss: Sudden shutdowns may interrupt write processes and cause loss.
• System crashes or upgrade errors causing permanent deletion: Crashes or failed upgrades may erase files permanently.

Free Methods to Restore Deleted Files from Windows Server 2012

Afterdiving into possible reasons behind data loss or deletion in Server 2012, now let’s explore some free and useful methods to recover (permanently) deleted files in Windows Server 2012 or R2.

Method 1. Restore from File System Recylcle Bin

Windows Server 2012 (R2) includes a standard file system Recycle Bin. If your files were recently deleted, they may still be recoverable here, similar to how you recover deleted files from Recylcle Bin in Windows 10:

Step 1. Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop. Browse for the deleted files or folders.

Step 2. Right-click the desired item and select "Restore". The file will return to its original location.

Method 2. Restore from Active Directory Recycle Bin

Apart from file system Recycle Bin, Windows Server 2012 (R2) also features an Active Directory Recycle Bin, which helps restore accidentally deleted AD objects such as users, groups, or organizational units.

Step 1. Press "Win + S", type "Active Directory Administrative Center", and open it.

Step 2. In ADAC, expand your domain and select "Deleted Objects".

Step 3. Right-click the desired object and choose "Restore"(or Restore To if you want to place it in a different container).

The restored object will regain its attributes and relationships as they were before deletion.

Method 3. Restore from Previous Versions

Windows Server 2012 (R2) supports Previous Versions (also known as Shadow Copies), which automatically saves snapshots of files and folders. You can use these snapshots to recover deleted or earlier versions of files.

Step 1. Navigate to the folder that contained the deleted file.

Step 2. Right-click the folder and select "Restore previous versions".

Step 3. Go to the "Previous Versions" tab. Here you’ll see a list of available snapshots.Select the version that contains your deleted file and click "Restore" to recover it to its original location.

Method 4. Restore from Server Backup

Additionally, you can restore deleted files in Windows Server 2012 (R2) from a Windows Server Backup:

Step 1. Open Windows Server Backup from the Start menu.

Step 2. Select Recover from the Actions pane.

Step 3. Choose the backup location and the date of the backup containing the deleted files.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore files to their original or an alternative location.

Method 5. Restore With MyRecover [Top Recommendation]

If the above methods fail to recover your deleted filesfrom Server 2012, 2016, 2019 or 2025, using a professional data recovery tool like MyRecover is highly recommended. It can handle complex scenarios such as permanent deletion, emptied Recycle Bin, or corrupted drives in Windows Server 2012 / R2.

MyRecover

Easy Windows PC and Server Recovery Software

• 500+ Devices Supported | SSD, HDD, USB Flash Drive, SD Sard, etc.
• 1000+ File Formats Supported | PNG, MP4, MP3, TXT, ZIP, MSG, etc.
• 500+ Data Loss Scenarios | Deletion, Format, System Crash, Virus Attack, etc.

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 & All Server

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Step 1. Install and Launch MyRecover

Download and install MyRecover on your server. Launch the program and select the drive or partition where the deleted files were located.

Step 2. Start Scanning

Click "Scan" to let MyRecover perform a quick or deep scan automatically. It will search for all recoverable files, including permanently deleted ones.

Step 3. Select and Recover Files

Once the scan is complete, browse the results. You can use the Search box or Filter to quickly find specific type of files. Check the boxes in front of the files you want to recoverand click "Recover".

🔔To preview the files before recovery, please upgrade to paid versions: Professional or Technician.

Step 4. Recover Files to a Safe Location

Choose a different drive or partition from the original location to save the recovered files. This ensures no overwriting occurs.

Then wait for the process to complete. Once it is complete, a notification will appear showing the number of files successfully restored and their saved location.

In the End

Recovering deleted files from Windows Server 2012 (R2) can be straightforward if you follow the right steps. Start with built-in tools like the File System Recycle Bin, Active Directory Recycle Bin, Previous Versions, or Server Backup for free recovery options. If these methods are insufficient, a professional data recovery tool like MyRecover provides a reliable solution for restoring permanently deleted or inaccessible files.