1. Check the recycle bin

Open recycle bin

  1. Access to the recycle bin: Double-click on the recycle bin icon on your desktop or search for "recycle bin" in the start menu.
  2. Find files: Search through the files and folders in the recycle bin. You can use the search bar at the top right to find specific files.

Restore deleted files

  1. Select files: Click on the files or folders you want to restore. Hold the Ctrl-button to select multiple items.
  2. Restore: Right-click on the selected items and select "Restore". The files are restored to their original storage location.

2. Using the file version history function

If you have activated the file version history, you can restore previous versions of files or folders.

Call up file version history

  1. Open settings: Press Win + Ito open the settings.
  2. Navigate to the file version history: Go to Update & Security > Fuse > Further options under "Backup with file version history".

Restore files from the backup

  1. Open file version history: Click on "Restore files from a recent backup".
  2. Search backups: Navigate through the available backups to find the desired file or folder.
  3. Restore: Select the desired item and click on the green "Restore" button to restore it to its original location.

3. Recovery with the integrated Windows 11 tool

If the file version history is not activated, you can restore previous versions using the integrated Windows 11 tool.

Restore previous versions

  1. Open File Explorer: Press Win + Eto open the file explorer.
  2. Navigate to the folder: Go to the folder that contained the deleted file.
  3. Call up previous versions: Right-click on the folder and select "Properties". Switch to the "Previous versions" tab.

Restore previous versions

  1. Select version: Select a version from the list of available previous versions.
  2. Restore: Click on "Restore" to restore the folder to its previous state, which may contain the deleted files.

4. Use OneDrive backup from Windows 11

If you use OneDrive, you can restore deleted files from your OneDrive backup.

Access OneDrive

  1. Open OneDrive: Click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar or search for "OneDrive" in the Start menu.
  2. Go to the wastebasket: Click on the OneDrive recycle bin to view deleted files.

Restore files

  1. Select files: Select the files you wish to restore.
  2. Restore: Click on "Restore" to restore the selected files to their original OneDrive storage location.

5. Using data recovery software

If none of the above methods work, you can use third-party data recovery software. These tools help to restore files that are no longer in the recycle bin or in previous versions.

Popular recovery tools

  • Recuva: A free tool with basic recovery functions.
  • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A paid tool with extended functions.
  • Disk Drill: Another powerful option for recovering deleted files.

Steps for using data recovery software

  1. Download and install: Download the selected recovery software and install it on your PC.
  2. Start the software: Open the program and select the drive or folder in which the deleted files were located.
  3. Scan files: Perform a scan to find recoverable files.
  4. Preview and restore: Check the files found, select the ones you want and follow the instructions to restore them.

6. Prevent future data loss

Activate file version history

  • Set up file version history: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Fuse and activate the file version history to back up your files automatically.

Regular backups

  • Use external memory: Back up important files regularly to an external hard disk or the cloud.
  • Plan backups: Set up automatic backups to consistently protect your data.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted files under Windows 11 is easy with the right methods and tools. Whether using the recycle bin, the file version history, OneDrive backups or special recovery software - there are many ways to successfully retrieve lost files. Regular backups and suitable backup strategies can also effectively prevent future data loss.