Many users are in the habit of deleting files using "Shift" + "Delete", but the deleted files bypass the Recycle Bin, leading many users to believe file recovery is impossible. This article explains 5 practical methods to undo Shift Delete. With the right approach, you can restore permanently deleted files and avoid future data loss.
Recovering of files deleted by shift + delete
Hello, everyone. I acutely need a program which will allow me to recover files I have deleted by using shortcut - Shift + Delete. One of mandatory criteria is - it should be free of charge and efficient one as well. Could you recommend me such program, please? PS. I have deleted really important files so my need to recover them is very high.
- Question from Emily
When deleting some unnecessary files, some users will press "Delete" or use "Shift" + "Delete". Both methods are common ways to delete files, but what are the differences between them?
👉 Delete: Files were not removed from your system right away. Instead, they're sent to the Recycle Bin, where you can easily restore it later if you change your mind.
👉 Shift + Delete: Files bypass the Recycle Bin and are marked as permanently deleted.
Where do Shift-deleted files go? Actually, they don’t disappear entirely. They stay on the hard drive but become invisible to users, making the recovery less straightforward. The OS then marks the storage space of these files as free, preparing it to be overwritten by new data. Many users only realize this after accidentally deleting an important document or folder and by then, panic sets in.
As noted above, the Shift + Delete shortcut permanently deletes files and bypasses the Recycle Bin, so there is no native keyboard shortcut to undo it. However, this does not mean files shift deleted cannot be recovered. In most cases, the file’s data still exists on your hard drive until it’s overwritten by new files. This is why acting quickly is crucial if you want to undo shift delete successfully.
You can recover shift deleted files by restoring from built-in features or using specialized data recovery software. In the next section, we will provide 5 methods to help you undo "Shift" + "Delete", so you can retrieve your lost files, folders, or shortcuts.
Even though files are permanently deleted when you use "Shift" + "Delete", it’s not difficult to restore the lost files with the right methods. If you have any form of backup, the process will be simple. Even without a backup, using professional data recovery software is still a good option.
When files are permanently deleted using Shift + Delete, they bypass the Recycle Bin, making file recovery more difficult. To safely retrieve these lost files without risking further data loss, a professional recovery tool like MyRecover is often the most reliable solution. MyRecover is designed specifically for such scenarios, offering a user-friendly interface, deep scanning capabilities, and high recovery success for a wide range of file types. Follow these steps to perform shift delete recovery with MyRecover:
🔥Recovers files deleted via "Shift" + "Delete", even emptied Recycle Bin, inaccessible drive, etc.
🔥Supports over 1000+ file formats including documents, images, videos, and audio.
🔥Dual scan modes: Quick Scan for speed, Deep Scan for thorough recovery.
🔥Compatible with all Windows operating systems including Server.
Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from Microsoft Store, avoid installing it on the drive with lost files.
Step 2. Launch it and select the drive including permanently lost files, then click "Scan".
Step 3. Locate the target files using the "Filter" feature or "Path"/"Type" tab, choose the files you wish to recover from the recoverable lists, then click "Recover".
Step 4. Select a safe location to save the recovered files. Do not save them to the same drive where your files were lost.
Once completion of the process, the message "Files have been recovered successfully" will pop up. Then you can access the recovered files by clicking on "Browse" button or the destination folder path.
If you enabled File History on Windows 10/11 before the file deletion, it saves copies of your files and allows you to restore earlier versions of your file. File History works well for documents, pictures, and frequently modified files.
Step 1. Type "Restore your files with File History" in the Start menu and open it.
Step 2. Browse through the saved versions of your folders and choose a version based on the backup time.
Step 3. Locate the desired version and click the green "Restore" button to return it.
Another way to undo Shift Delete on Windows 11/10 is using Backup and Restore, especially if you created backups earlier. It can create a full system image and allows you to restore files including personal files from the backups if needed. This is a reliable method, but it only works if you had scheduled backups before the deletion.
Step 1. Type "Backup Settings" in the Start menu and open it, then click "Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".
Step 2. Click "Select another backup to restore files from" and choose a created backup including the deleted files.
Step 3. Select "Browse for files/folders" to choose files from the backup to restore and click "Next".
Step 4. Choose a destination folder to save the recovered files and click "Restore" to begin the process.
Wait for the process to finish, you'll see the message "Your files have been restored". Then you can check the recovered files by clicking on "View restored files".
If your files were synced with a cloud service such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, you can check the cloud’s trash and restore the deleted files from it. Even if your files are permanently deleted locally using "Shift" + "Delete", the cloud Recycle bin will still retain them for 30 days. It’s best to act as soon as possible before the files are completely removed.
Step 1. Sign in OneDrive with your account (take OneDrive as an example here).
Step 2. Select the "Recycle bin" section and browse through the deleted items.
Step 3. Select the files you wish to recover from the lists and click "Restore" to get the deleted files back from OneDrive.
If no backups are available, does that mean you can’t undo Shift Delete? Of course not. Windows also offers a professional data recovery tool, Windows File Recovery, to help you retrieve permanently deleted files from local storage devices like SD cards, HDDs, USB drives. But it requires basic command-line knowledge and is only compatible with Windows 10 and later versions.
Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery from Microsoft official channel.
Step 2. Open Windows File Recovery and run it as administrator.
Step 3. Enter the command "winfr F: E: /regular" and hit "Enter" key. Replace the drive letters "F" and "E" with your actual drive letter.
Wait for the process to complete, you can check the recovered files by pressing "y" in the destination folder path.
Accidentally hitting "Shift" + "Delete" can feel like a disaster, but with the right tools and quick action, it’s possible to get your files back. From backups to professional data recovery software, multiple recovery paths exist depending on your setup. So, the next time you wonder how to undo shift delete Windows 11/10, remember that your files may not be gone for good, tools like MyRecover can bring them back quickly and safely.
For users who want more advanced features, MyRecover offers the Professional edition. It supports unlimited data recovery quota and file content previewing before restoration. Download MyRecover today and recover your lost files quickly, safely, and with just a few clicks.
Q1: How to revert shift delete?
Once a file is deleted using Shift + Delete, it bypasses the Recycle Bin and is not easily revertible through normal Windows tools. To restore it, you need a professional data recovery tool like MyRecover or backup solutions if available. Acting quickly increases the recovery success.
Q2: Is shift delete permanent?
Shift + Delete removes files permanently from the system without sending them to the Recycle Bin. While the data may still exist on the disk, standard Windows recovery methods cannot access it. Specialized recovery software like MyRecover is required to restore it.
Q3: How to recover shift plus deleted files?
Use professional recovery software such as MyRecover, which can scan your drive deeply to locate and restore shift-deleted files. Avoid writing new data to the drive to prevent overwriting the deleted files before recovery.
Q4: How to recover word file after shift delete?
Install and run a file recovery tool like MyRecover, select the drive where the Word file was stored, scan it, and preview the results. Locate the deleted Word file and recover it to a safe location.
Q5: Can Ctrl+Z restore deleted files?
Ctrl+Z can only undo recent actions within active applications, such as deleting files in File Explorer during the same session. It cannot restore files deleted using Shift + Delete after closing the folder or restarting Windows.
Q6: What is the difference between Delete and Shift Delete?
Pressing Delete sends files to the Recycle Bin, allowing easy recovery, whereas Shift + Delete permanently removes files without using the Recycle Bin. Recovery after Shift + Delete requires specialized software like MyRecover or backup solutions.