4 Methods to Recover Deleted ISO Files in Windows 11 or Windows 10

About ISO File

An ISO file is a single archive file that contains an exact copy (or image) of the entire contents of a CD, DVD, or other optical disc. It preserves the original file system and structure, making it ideal for backing up or distributing large sets of files, software, or operating system installation media. ISO files are commonly used to create bootable drives or virtual discs.

Can Deleted IOS Files be Recovered?

Yes, deleted ISO files can often be recovered. When you delete a file, Windows typically only removes its reference from the file system without immediately erasing the actual data. This means the file remains physically on the disk until it gets overwritten.In this situation, you can easily recover deleted ISO files in Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Methods to Recover Deleted ISO Files in Windows 11/ 10

When you accidentally delete an important ISO file, try the following effective methods to safely recover themon Windows 11 or 10.

1. Check the Recycle Bin

The simplest way to recover deleted files is to check the "Recycle Bin"first:

Step 1. Open the "Recycle Bin" on your desktop.

Step 2. Search for your deleted ISO file by name.

Step 3. Click the file and select "Restore the selected items" to return it to its original location.

If you’ve already emptied the Recycle Bin or you deleted files from removable media like USB flash drive, SD card, etc, this method won’t work.

2. Use File History (If Enabled Before ISO Deletion)

If you have enabled Windows File History and created backups, you can restore deleted ISO files via the following steps:

Step 1. Press "Win + S", type "Control Panel", and press Enter.

Step 2. In Control Panel, click "System and Security"> "File History"> "Restore your files with File History".

Step 3. Browse for the file or folder you want to restore. You can use the search bar in the upper-right corner to filter ISO files.

Step 4. Click on the target files or folder, and click the green "Restore" button. This will restore the selected file(s) to their original location. To restore to a different location, right-click the button and select "Restore to".

🏷️Important: This requires that you had enabled File History and the ISO files are included in the backup before the file was deleted.

3. Use Windows File Recovery Tool [Microsoft]

Microsoft’s official Windows File Recovery tool supports recovering various file types including ISO files. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1. Download and install "Windows File Recovery" from the Microsoft Store.

Step 2. Open "Command Prompt" as an administrator.

Step 3.Type the command: "winfr G: D: /extensive /n *.iso" or "winfr G: D: /regular /n *.iso"

• /regular mode is faster and works well for recently deleted files on healthy NTFS drives.
• /extensive mode performs a deeper scan suited for formatted, corrupted, or more complex recovery scenarios.)
• Replace "G:" with the drive letter where the ISO was deleted.
• Replace "D:" with the drive where recovered files will be saved (must be a different drive to avoid overwriting).

Step 4. Wait for the scan and recovery to complete.

🏷️Note: This tool is command-line based and only work on Windows 10 and later.

4. Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software

While checking the Recycle Bin and restoring deleted ISO files from File History are quick and free methods, they have limitations—such as permanent deletion when the Recycle Bin is emptied or no previous backups available if File History was not enabled before the ISO deletion. Likewise, Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery tool, though powerful, requires some technical knowledge and may not always recover all files, especially in complex cases.

So, to ensure a higher ISO file recovery success rate, trying third-party recovery software is a great option. These tools often offer deeper scanning, preview options, and higher recovery success rates for various deletion scenarios. One top recommendation is MyRecover, famous as a powerful data recovery tool for both Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 and Server 2025, 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008 uers.

Step 1. Install the software on a different drive than the one where the ISO file was deleted.

Step 2. Launch the program, select the drive where you deleted ISO files, and click "Scan".

Step 3. Once the scan completes, use the search to locate the ISO file. Select the file, and click "Recover".

Step 4. Save it to a different drive.

Step 5. Then wait for the process to complete. Once done, you can check the files in the destination folder by clicking the path link in the mini summary window.

Summary

If you accidentally deletea large ISO file, the above methods can help you a lot in different situations. If you delete it from internal drive using "Delete" key, first check the Recycle Bin or File History. For permanent deletion or without any prior backup, then move on to powerful tools like Windows File Recovery or trusted third-party software such as MyRecover.

Compared to other methods, MyRecover offers the easiest and most efficient way to recover deleted ISO files in Windows 10, Windows 11 or other operating system environment. Moreover, its Technician edition provides ultimate data recovery plan for business, technicians, and MSPs on unlimited PCs & Servers.