How to Recover Deleted MS Paint Files [5 Free Methods]?

"I Accidentally Deleted MS Paint. How do I get it back?"

Methods to Recover Deleted MS Paint Files

Microsoft Paint, often called MS Paint, is a simple graphics editing program that comes pre-installed on Windows. It lets users create drawings, edit images, and save them in common formats like PNG or JPEG. Although it is basic, many people rely on it for quick sketches, annotations, or small image edits.

However, it’s easy to accidentally delete Paint files and lose important work. When this happens, users often need reliable ways to get their files back. In the following sections, we will explore practical methods to recover deleted or unsaved MS Paint files safely and effectively.

Method 1. Restore From Recycle Bin

When you accidentally delete MS Paint files by pressing the Delete key (without using the Shift + Delete combination) on a Windows computer, the first place you should check is the Recycle Bin.

Files deleted this way are usually not permanently removed and can be easily restored from there. Simply open the Recycle Bin, find your deleted Paint file, right-click it, and select "Restore" to return it to its original location.

Method 2. Recover Deleted MS Paint Files from File History Backup

If the deleted Microsoft Paint file is not in the Recycle Bin, Windows’ File History feature may help. Once enabled, File History will automatically back up files stored in your user folders, including Documents, Pictures, and Desktop.

Step 1. Press "Windows + S" and type "Restore your files with File History". The Restore files from File History window will open directly.

Step 3. A list of available backups will appear. Choose the folder that contains your lost file.

Step 4. Select the desired version and click "Restore" or "Restore To" (to choose a custom location).

Using File History is a safe way to restore deleted MS Paint files, as long as backups were created before the file was lost.

Method 3. Retrieve Deleted MS Paint Files via Windows File Recovery Command

If the file is not in the Recycle Bin or File History backups, you can try Windows File Recovery, a command-line recovery tool from Microsoft. It allows you to scan your drive and recover deleted files, including MS Paint drawings, even after permanent deletion or formatting.

Step 1. Download Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store and install it on your computer.

Step 2. Find Windows File Recovery in the Windows Start menu. Right-click the app and select "Run as administrator".

Step 3. Use the following command format to recover your MS Paint file: winfr [source drive]: [destination folder]: /mode /switches

👉[source drive] – the drive where the file was deleted.

👉[destination folder] – a different drive or folder where recovered files will be saved.

/mode – select Regular, or Extensivemode depending on the type of deletion.

• Regular mode: Use this if the drive is NTFS and the MS Paint files were deleted recently. This mode is faster and works well for standard deletions.
• Extensive mode: This mode is recommended for non-NTFS drives, or when recovering files deleted a while ago, or from a formatted / corrupted drive. It performs a deeper scan and can locate files that Regular mode may miss, but it takes longer.

👉/switches – optional filters, e.g., /n *.png to recover only PNG files.

Example: winfr H: D:\extensive/n *.png

Step 4. After the scan is complete, navigate to the destination folder by directly pressing "Y" to view the recovered MS Paint files.

Method 4. Recover Deleted MS Paint Files Using PhotoRec (Open-Source Tool)

If Windows File Recovery is not an option, you can try PhotoRec, a free and open-source data recovery tool. It works on various file systems and can recover deleted Paint files even from formatted or corrupted drives.

Step 1. Download and install TestDisk (which comes with PhotoRec) from its official website.

Step 2. Extract the TestDisk zip folder, right-click the photorec_win.exe and choose "Run as Administrator".

Step 3. Select the drive where your MS Paint file was lost.

Step 4. Use arrow keys to highlight the target partition or choose the whole disk to scan for deleted MS paint files.

Step 5. Select the correct file system type and press Enter. On Windows, choose "Other".

Step 6. Choose a destination folder to save the MS paint files. Confirm your selection by hitting on "C".

Step 7. Then the recovery process will begin.

This recovery process will attempt to restore all deleted files from the target drive or disk, not just MS Paint files. As a result, you may receive a large number of recovered files of many different types. After the scan completes, you will need to manually locate your MS Paint files among the recovered results.

Method 5. Restore MS Paint Files with MyRecover [Most Recommended]

If you want a simpler, faster, and more user-friendly method, FREE MyRecover is highly recommended. It can quickly scan your drive and recover deleted or lost MS Paint files with a few clicks, without the need for command-line operations.

MyRecover

Easy Data Recovery Software

• 🍬High Recovery Success Rate: AI-powered algorithms and deep scanning technology to achieve a 99% success rate.
• 🍬3-Step Recovery Process: Scan → Preview → Recover, suitable for both technical and non-technical users.
• 🍬File Preview Before Recovery: View lost files before recovery to ensure only needed files are restored.
• 🍬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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Step 1. Download MyRecover and install it on your computer, preferably on a different drive than the one containing the lost Paint files.

Step 2. Open MyRecover and you will see all connected drives on your computer. Choose the drive where the MS Paint file was originally saved. Click "Scan" to begin scanning for deleted or lost files.

Step 3. After the scan, MyRecover will display all recoverable files. Use the search bar or filter by file type (e.g., .png, .bmp) to quickly locate your MS Paint files.

Step 4. Select the MS Paint files you want to restore. Click "Recover" and choose a different location from the source drive to avoid overwriting data.

Step 5. Once recovery is complete, navigate to the destination folder and check your restored Paint files.

In addition to accidental deletion, MyRecover also works for files lost due to formatting, system crashes, or virus attacks, making it a reliable choice for recovering MS Paint files safely and efficiently.To recover files from crashed OS, you need to upgrade to Professional edition and take advantage of the "PC Crashed Recovery"feature.

Bonus Tip: How to Recover Unsaved MS Paint Files

Sometimes, you may lose MS Paint files before saving them. Don’t worry—you can try recovering them from the Temporary Files folder.

Step 1. Press "Windows + R", type "%temp%", and press Enter.

Step 2. Look for files with names like Untitled or .bmp/.png that match the time you were working on your Paint file.

Step 3. Copy the file to a safe location and rename it with the correct extension.

Summary

Losing MS Paint files caused by deletion can be addressed through several reliable methods. Start with simple recovery options like the Recycle Bin or Windows File History for quick restoration. For more challenging cases, tools such as "Windows File Recovery", "PhotoRec", or "MyRecover" provide deeper scanning and higher success rates.

All in all, MyRecover offers the most user-friendly experience, with an intuitive interface and targeted file recovery. For unsaved MS Paint work, temporary folders and onedrive cloud backups offer additional opportunities for retrieval, ensuring that lost files can often be restored quickly and safely.

FAQs about MS Paint Files

Q1: Does MS Paint Autosave?

A1: No, MS Paint does not have an autosave feature. Any changes must be saved manually by clicking "File > Save" or using the Ctrl + S shortcut. Unsaved work can be lost if the program closes unexpectedly.

Q2: Where Is MS Paint Saved?

A2: MS Paint itself is a built-in Windows app and is located in the System32 folder (C:\Windows\System32\mspaint.exe). Your created images are saved wherever you choose on your computer, such as Documents, Desktop, or custom folders.

Q3: How To Restore Microsoft Paint?

A3: If MS Paint was deleted, you can restore it via Microsoft Store by searching for "Paint" and reinstalling it. On Windows 10/11, it can also be re-enabled in Optional Features under Settings > Apps > Optional Features.

Q4: How To See MS Paint History?

A4: MS Paint does not keep a built-in edit history. You can only access previous versions if you saved multiple copies, use File History, or have backup software like OneDrive to view past versions of your files.