How to Find Recently Deleted Docs
In today’s digital age, we rely heavily on documents for both personal and professional purposes. However, it’s not uncommon to accidentally delete an important document. Whether it’s a crucial business report, a cherished family photo, or a term paper for school, the loss of such documents can be distressing. The good news is that there are several methods you can use to find recently deleted docs and recover your lost data. In this article, we will explore various ways to retrieve deleted documents from different platforms and devices.
1. Check the Recycle Bin or Trash Folder
The first place you should check for recently deleted docs is the Recycle Bin or Trash Folder on your computer or device. When you delete a file, it is typically moved to this temporary storage location, allowing you to restore it before it is permanently deleted. To do this:
– On Windows, open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking on its icon on the desktop. Once opened, locate the deleted document and right-click on it. Select “Restore” to move it back to its original location.
– On macOS, open the Trash by clicking on its icon in the dock. Find the deleted document, click on it, and then press “Command + Shift + V” to restore it to its original folder.
2. Use File Recovery Software
If the document is not in the Recycle Bin or Trash Folder, you can try using file recovery software. These programs scan your hard drive for deleted files and attempt to recover them. Some popular file recovery tools include:
– Recuva: A free file recovery tool that can recover deleted documents, photos, videos, and more.
– EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A user-friendly tool that can recover deleted files from various storage devices, including hard drives, USB flash drives, and memory cards.
– Disk Drill: An all-in-one data recovery and disk management tool that can help you find recently deleted docs and much more.
To use file recovery software, follow these steps:
1. Download and install the chosen file recovery tool on your computer.
2. Launch the program and select the drive where the deleted document was located.
3. Start the scanning process and wait for the program to search for deleted files.
4. Once the scan is complete, navigate through the recovered files and locate your deleted document.
5. Restore the document to a safe location on your computer.
3. Check Cloud Storage Services
If you have backed up your documents to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, you may be able to recover a recently deleted document from there. Here’s how:
– For Google Drive, go to drive.google.com and click on the “Trash” folder on the left-hand side. Locate the deleted document, click on it, and then select “Restore” to bring it back to your drive.
– On Dropbox, visit www.dropbox.com and click on the “Deleted files” link in the sidebar. Find the deleted document, click on it, and then select “Restore” to reinstate it to its original location.
– For OneDrive, sign in to your Microsoft account at www.onedrive.com. Click on “Deleted files” on the left-hand side, find the document, and then click “Restore” to recover it.
4. Use the Previous Versions Feature
If you have enabled the Previous Versions feature on your Windows computer, you can restore a deleted document from a previous version of the file. This feature creates copies of files and folders on your system, allowing you to roll back to a previous state. To use this feature:
1. Right-click on the folder or file where the document was stored.
2. Select “Restore previous versions” from the context menu.
3. A list of available previous versions will appear. Select the desired version and click “Restore” to recover the deleted document.
In conclusion, losing a document can be a frustrating experience, but there are several ways to find recently deleted docs and recover your lost data. By checking the Recycle Bin or Trash Folder, using file recovery software, checking cloud storage services, and utilizing the Previous Versions feature, you can often retrieve your deleted documents without too much trouble.
