7 Proven Methods to Recover Deleted Sticky Notes Windows 11

Where do Deleted Sticky Notes Go?

Sticky Notes is a built-in Windows app that lets you create digital notes on your desktop for quick reminders, to-do lists, or short memos, just like physical sticky notes. It offers users a convenient way to create, organize, and manage short notes and reminders directly on their desktops.

If you’ve accidentally deleted your Sticky Notes on Windows 10 or 11, you might be wondering where they went. Unlike files and folders, maybe you have found that, deleted Sticky Notes do not appear in the Windows Recycle Bin, which can be a bit confusing. This is because Sticky Notes are not stored as independent files (such as .txt or .docx), but saved in a separate system database file (plum.sqlite). The deletion operation does not remove specific files, but modifies the records within the database.

Losing your Sticky Notes doesn’t mean they’re gone forever. There are multiple ways to recover deleted Sticky Notes on Windows 11 and 10.

How to Recover Deleted Sticky Notes Windows 11/10

Although deleted Sticky Notes won't appear in the Recycle Bin, don’t worry—there are several methods you can use to recover deleted Sticky Notes in Windows 11 or 10. Let’s explore these solutions in detail, helping you retrieve your precious notes without stress.

Method 1. Check Notes List

If you only close Sticky Notes without saving the notes you created, you can rest assured. As long as you don't choose to delete the notes, they won't be lost. You can find them again in the Notes List.

Step 1. Type "Sticky Notes" in the Start menu and open it.

Step 2. In the upper-right corner of any notes, click on the "Menu" option, then select "Notes list".

Step 3. You can check all of the notes (not deleted) you have created.

Method 2. Check with Microsoft Account

If you use Sticky Notes on a new device without signing in to a Microsoft account, you won't be able to see your previous notes. After signing in, you'll view all notes created under that account.

Step 1. Open Sticky Notes, and from the list of notes, select the Settings button located in the upper right.

Step 2. If you’re not already signed in, select "Sign in" and enter your Microsoft account credentials. Then you can see all notes on this account.

Method 3. Check in File Explorer

As previously mentioned, Sticky Notes do not exist as individual files but are stored in a database. The default filenames for Sticky Notes in the database are "StickyNotes.snt" or "plum.sqlite". Therefore, you can check for the deleted note in this database.

Step 1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following path:

C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState

Step 2. Browse and look for a file named "plum.sqlite" or "stickyNotes.sqlite".

Step 3. Open the file with a text editing application like Notepad or Word. Choose the default action to decode the file and make it readable.

Step 5. Filter your data manually in the displayed cipher text.

Notes:✎...

If you can't find a certain folder, try ticking the "Hidden items" option in the "View" tab of File Explorer.

 

Method 4. Restore Previous Versions

The Previous Versions feature allows users to restore old file or folder versions from system restore points or automatic backups. If you have backed up the Sticky Notes folder, you can restore previous versions from the backup.

Step 1. Navigate to the Sticky Notes folder (located in LocalState, as mentioned above) in the File Explorer.

Step 2. Right click the folder and select "Restore previous versions". Then you’ll see a list of available backup versions of the folder.

Step 3. Select a version from before the notes were deleted, then click “Restore” to recover your deleted Sticky Notes.

Now the deleted Sticky Notes should be recovered successfully. You may need to restart Sticky Notes to see them.

Method 5. Restore your Files with File History

File History can automatically back up all your libraries, including Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music, as well as any custom libraries you have created. You can choose to add folders to File History for backup, including the Sticky Notes folder. Then you can restore files from File History.

Step 1. Type "Restore your file with File history" in the Start menu and open it.

Step 2. Browse and select the Sticky Notes folder, choose a version you wish to recover.

Step 3. Click the green "Restore" button to recover files to its original location.

★Tips:

This method only works if you added the Sticky Notes folder and enabled File History on Windows 10/11 before the notes were deleted.

Method 6. Check Outlook Folder

For Sticky Notes versions 3.0 and above, users can view created notes on other devices or application using the same Microsoft account. You can log in to Outlook to check accidentally deleted notes.

Step 1. Open Outlook and sign in to the same Microsoft account of Sticky Notes.

Step 2. Select the "Deleted items" tab, browse and select your lost Sticky Notes.

Step 3. Right click the notes and select move it to a secure folder, then move items to Notes and click "OK". The notes will be recovered within several seconds.

Method 7. Recover Using Professional Data Recovery Tool—MyRecover

If none of the above methods work, or if you haven't signed in to an account on Sticky Notes, you can also choose professional data recovery software like MyRecover to restore deleted Sticky Notes. MyRecover is a third-party data recovery tool that can recover over 1,000 file formats—including photos, videos, compressed files, etc.—without requiring any backups. It covers various complex data loss scenarios, such as unreadable drives, lost or deleted partitions, USB drive formatting, system crashes (only available for paid versions), and more.

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer.

Step 2. Launch it and select the Sticky Notes folder to scan, and click "Scan".

Step 3. Choose the files named "plum.sqlite" or "stickyNotes.sqlite" from the recoverable lists, click "Recover". You can use the filter feature to find the files you want to recover quickly.

Step 4. Select a different location (not the original Sticky Notes folder) to save the recovered files.

Once the process is completed, the message "Files have been recovered successfully" will pop up. You can click the recovered files path to check them.

FAQs:

1. Where are Sticky Notes Stored in Windows 10/11?

Sticky Notes are typically stored in a database file located at:

C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState

This folder stores all the data for your Sticky Notes.

2. Do Sticky Notes have history?

Yes, Sticky Notes do have a form of history, particularly when using Microsoft's Sticky Notes app and if synchronization is enabled. While the app itself doesn't offer a direct "view history" feature like some other applications, you can often recover deleted or previously edited notes through linked services like Outlook or other recovery software like MyRecover.

3. Does closing a Sticky Note delete it in Windows 10/11?

No, closing a Sticky Note does not delete it in Windows 10 or 11. The note is simply closed but remains in the app or database unless manually deleted. If you accidentally delete a Sticky Note, you can try the methods mentioned above.

4. Can I recover sticky notes deleted in Windows 7?

Yes, it is possible to recover deleted Sticky Notes in Windows 7. But for Windows 7, the process is different. In Windows 7, Sticky Notes are stored in a different location and do not sync with a Microsoft account by default. Having a backup is the best method for recovery on Windows 7.

Conclusion

While deleting Sticky Notes can feel like a loss, it’s often not the end. You can recover deleted Sticky Notes Windows 10/11 trying these methods. Remember, when it comes to important data like Sticky Notes, backing up is always a good practice.

If you're looking for a fail-safe method, third-party data recovery software like MyRecover is more suitable for you. It is designed to protect data security, reading only without writing during the recovery process to prevent your data from being overwritten.