Where to Find Deleted Files on Windows 10 Easily | Recover Now

Where to Find Deleted Files in Windows 10 Not in Recycle Bin?

If you are trying to find the deleted files on Windows 10 or 11, and recover them in time, it’s very important to locate the deleted files. So, where to find deleted files on Windows 10? Don’t worry. You will find the location of your deleted files in Windows 10/11, and then you can recover them efficiently.

About Windows 10/11 File Deletion

Let's first understand what happens when you hit delete before we begin the rescue mission. It is more like ripping the index out of a library book than it is to tearing a piece of paper. The operating system now indicates that space is "available" for new books, even though the book itself (your file data) is still on the shelf (your hard drive).

Until anything new comes along and overwrites it, the file stays completely intact. For this reason, the most important rule for a successful recovery is to act fast. The likelihood of that space being taken increases with the amount of time you spend using your computer after deletion. This fundamental concept is the key to all recovery methods.

Where to Find Deleted Files on Windows 10/11?

For most everyday "oops" moments, the answer to Where can I find deleted files in Windows 10 is blissfully simple: the Recycle Bin. This is Windows' primary safety net, designed to save us from our own momentary lapses in judgment.

Where Do I Find the Recycle Bin in Windows 10

Honestly, it’s usually staring right at you from the desktop! Sometimes, it’s hidden by accident or for some purposes. To show Recycle bin in Windows 10, try this:

1. Right-click on your desktop.

2. Choose View > Show desktop icons.

3. Now, right-click on the desktop, then choose "Personalize".

4. Click "Themes" and hit "Desktop icon settings", tick Recycle Bin, and hit OK to show its icon on the desktop.

All your deleted files will be stored in the Recycle Bin folder on Windows 10. However, if the files have been emptied from the Recycle Bin, or deleted by other ways, like shortcuts, or something else. It’s difficult to find where the deleted files are on Windows 10/11; you have to use the Windows built-in tools or third-party software to find and recover them in one click.

Part 1. Restore Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin

Double-click the Recycle bin folder to open it, then you can find all the deleted files in the Windows 10 Recycle bin now. If the deleted files are located in this folder, you can choose them and click the Restore the selected items on the top menu.

All the selected deleted files will be recovered to the original location. Please move them to a safe location in case of data loss.

Tips:

• You can sort the deleted files by name, original location, deletion date, or even size to find what you’re looking for.
• Alternatively, you can drag it out of the Bin and drop it directly onto your desktop. This is the easiest answer for anyone figuring out where to find deleted folders in Windows 10 after a simple deletion.

Part 2. Recovering Files Emptied from the Recycle Bin

However, it’s tricky to recover deleted files that have been emptied from the Recycle Bin. What should you do? How to recover deleted files on Windows 10 or 11. Don’t worry, you can also find ways to recover files.

Way 1. Using File History for File Restoration

If you were smart and set up File History (a fantastic and underused feature), you’re sitting pretty. This tool automatically backs up versions of your files to an external drive. Here is how to recover files from File History in Windows 10:

1. To recover deleted files, connect that backup drive.

2. Then, simply search for "Restore your files with File History" in the Start menu.

3. You can browse through a timeline of your folders and restore the file you need to its original location or a new one.

Way 2. Recover Deleted Files with Windows File Recovery

To recover deleted files, use Windows File Recovery, you must first install it from the Microsoft Store and then run Command Prompt as an administrator.

Execute the winfr command specifying the source and destination drives (which must be different) and use the /regular or /extensive modes along with /n switches to specify the files or folders you want to recover. 

1. Install Windows File Recovery on your computer.

2. Launch Command Prompt as an administrator.

3. Enter the Recovery Command

The basic syntax is: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches].

• source-drive: The drive where the deleted files were located (e.g., C:).
• destination-drive: A different drive where the recovered files will be saved (e.g., E:, D:).
• [/mode]:

/regular: A basic recovery mode that works well for most cases.

/extensive: A more thorough mode that is effective for NTFS drives, especially after a quick format or corruption.

• [/switches]: Use switches to filter what to recover, such as a specific file name, folder, or file type. /n: Specifies the file or folder to recover.

For example, to recover PDF and Word files from your C: drive to the E: drive:

winfr C: E: /regular /n *.pdf /n *.docx

After entering the command, you may be prompted to confirm by typing Y. The tool will then scan the drive, and the recovered files will be saved to the specified destination drive and folder.

Way 3. Recover Permanently Deleted Files with MyRecover

If nothing works, it’s highly recommended to try the powerful Windows data recovery software, MyRecover. It provides the following features and strengths:

500+ scenario recovery. MyRecover is designed to recover files from a formatted hard drive, deleted files from an SD card, and much more.

Recover unlimited data. You can recover unlimited data if you have just deleted a large number of files.

Recover files from the emptied trash bin. You can easily recover files from the emptied recycle bin; it’s very easy to operate.

Fast and deep scan. MyRecover can use different scan modes to find all your deleted files, which is very helpful for you to recover files.

Preview files before recovering. You can preview to find what you need instead of recovering all files at once.

So, how to recover deleted files in Windows 10 with MyRecover? Here is the easy guide:

1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer. Run it now.

2. Click on Deleted Files Recovery, hit Scan when hovering over the drive where your deleted file was originally located.

3. Hit OK when it’s finished.

4. Use file size, date, file type, and filename to filter deleted files quickly. Then find and tick them, hit Recover.

5. Choose another location for these recovered files, and wait for the process to complete.

After a while, you will find the recovered files in the destination. Check them now.

Tip: You can also recover files from a crashed computer, recover files from USB flash drive, and many more after upgrading.

FAQs on File Recoveryon Windows 10

Where is the Recycle Bin located in Windows 10?

A: The Recycle Bin is usually on your desktop. If it’s not visible, right-click the desktop, choose Personalize > Themes > Desktop icon settings, and check the Recycle Bin box. You can also search for "Recycle Bin" using the Windows search bar.

Can I recover files after emptying the Recycle Bin?

A: Yes, recovery is often possible using File History or Previous Versions if enabled. If not, use data recovery software like MyRecover immediately. Avoid using the drive to prevent overwriting deleted files.

What’s good free data recovery software for Windows 10?

A: Reliable free options include MyRecover, Recuva, and Disk Drill. These tools can help recover recently deleted files, though free versions may have recovery limits.

How do I set up File History?

A: Connect an external drive, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup, and click Add a drive. Turn on automatic backups and customize settings under More options to manage frequency and folders.

Can I recover files deleted long ago?

A: It’s less likely over time, as new data may overwrite the old files. Tools like MyRecover can attempt deep scans, but success isn’t guaranteed. Regular backups are the best prevention.

What should I do right after deleting a key file?

A: Stop using the device immediately to avoid overwriting data. Check the Recycle Bin first, then File History or Previous Versions. If unavailable, use recovery software installed on a separate drive.

Wrap Things Up

Where to find deleted files on Windows 10/11? typically, you can find them in the Recycle Bin on your Windows computer. If the deleted files are located here, you can restore them directly if you deleted them by accident. If the deleted files are permanently deleted, it’s strongly recommended to try the powerful Windows data recovery software, like MyRecover.

With MyRecover, you can also recover data from a RAW partition, a power outage situation, a virus-attacked disk, etc.