Help Restoring Files an emergency

ZRALL · 16 Mar 2020

Hello I run Windows 10 on an HP laptop. I have a urgent concern as I believe I had deleted a file folder containing years of written work and archived information. My recycle bin is set to have deleted files end up there and all newly deleted files go to the recycle bin, however all of the files in this deleted file folder are not in the recycle bin even though it was configured for deleted files to end up there. I cannot restore the files because file history is not set up by default and I deleted the files before file history was turned on. I have no backups for the files and doing some searches on my pc has revealed that I did not accidentally move them anywhere. Is it possible that the file folder was too large to be sent to the recycle bin? All help is appreciated I am desperately trying to recover these files

dalchina · 16 Mar 2020

Hi, if your folder was too large for the recycle bin, you should have received an informative message saying that, prompting you to confirm deletion.

As your folder is not in the recycle bin, it may indeed have been deleted.

If so, then the disk space is released, and the more you write to the disk it was on, the greater the probabilty clusters holding that folder's data will be overwritten.

The first rule of data recovery is: STOP USING THE DISK.

You can use tools such as Recuva to scan at a deep level for remnants of that folder. If you are very lucky, then the scan will show its files being 100% recoverable. Otherwise it will show which are recoverable and which partially overwritten.

Recommended- if your disk is the system disk, stop using your laptop now.

Create a live boot disk using e.g. Kyhi's iso which includes recovery tools and boot your laptop using that.
Toolkit Item: Kyhi’s Rescue Disk – Win10.Guru

If, however, your folder exists somewhere unexpected on your disk, you can try a free fast search indexing tool such as
Locate32
Everything by voidtools
etc etc

This lets you search on a find-as-you-type basis across all indexed disks.

Again, this needs to be run using a live boot disk (assuming you leave the disk in question in your laptop).

You have now discovered the importance of having a proper backup. tenforums members time and again recommend the routine and periodic use of disk imaging. Not only can you restore Windows- even to a completely new disk if yours fails- you can also extract files from the disk image files you create.

E.g. Macrium reflect (free-paid) + large enough external storage.

SIW2 · 16 Mar 2020

1. Stop using that hard disk immediately

2. Use boot media to check for any shadow copies. If you have no shadow copies use data recovery tool from boot media.

3. Recover anything found to a separate hard disk.

SIW2 · 16 Mar 2020

You will need to create boot media either on a separate installation ( if you are dual booting) or on a different pc.

I believe there is still a ready made kyhi boot media which you can download and extract to create bootable usb.

Plonk this on the usb stick and after booting from usb stick run it to check for shadow copies.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shadow_copy_view.html

If you have shadow copy from before the deletion you can copy stuff out from it.

If you don't have shadow copies, you can run data recovery tool.

EDIT:

Cross posted as Dalchina has just posted similar at the same time.

The difference being the use of shadowcopyview. Excellent tool - and underlines the importance of having shadow copies.

ZRALL · 16 Mar 2020

I did not receive an informative message as to what i can remember, however if I did not and the recycle bin is taking deleted files, then what happened, it seems that either I should have received the message or the files should be in the bin,

dalchina · 16 Mar 2020

Thank you for your reply.

Then follow my recommendation to use a search tool to assist you.

Tutman · 16 Mar 2020

ZRALL said:

Hello I run Windows 10 on an HP laptop. I have a urgent concern as I believe I had deleted a file folder containing years of written work and archived information. My recycle bin is set to have deleted files end up there and all newly deleted files go to the recycle bin, however all of the files in this deleted file folder are not in the recycle bin even though it was configured for deleted files to end up there. I cannot restore the files because file history is not set up by default and I deleted the files before file history was turned on. I have no backups for the files and doing some searches on my pc has revealed that I did not accidentally move them anywhere. Is it possible that the file folder was too large to be sent to the recycle bin? All help is appreciated I am desperately trying to recover these files

Also try using Recuva (Free from Piriform) It is pretty good at finding and restoring deleted files.

Kyhi · 16 Mar 2020

Create a live boot disk using e.g. Kyhi's iso which includes recovery tools and boot your laptop using that.
Toolkit Item: Kyhi’s Rescue Disk – Win10.Guru

It is fun to see that over the years there are many reviews and recommendations...

Pejole2165 · 16 Mar 2020

A point to ask here is where was the deleted folder originally? If it was on a USB flash drive or SD card then those files are deleted, not moved to the recycle bin by default.

Help Restoring Files an emergency

Help Restoring Files an emergency

Recycle bin problem