Title: Recover Deleted Files on Windows or Mac: Quick Fixes and the Best Tools (2025 Guide)
SEO meta description: Learn safe, fast ways to recover deleted files on Windows or Mac—Recycle Bin, Trash, Time Machine, and top data recovery tools—plus FAQs and tips.
Accidentally deleted a file on Windows or Mac? Don’t panic. In many cases, your data is still recoverable if you act quickly and use the right approach. This guide from CyReader walks you through the fastest built‑in recovery options first, then the best data recovery software you can use when the usual tricks fail—all with safety tips, expert picks, and answers to common questions.
At a glance, do this:
- Stop using the affected drive immediately to avoid overwriting data.
- Check Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS) and restore.
- Try backups: Windows File History or macOS Time Machine.
- If missing, use reputable data recovery software from a different drive.
- For critical business data, consider a professional recovery lab.
Quick fixes: Recycle Bin, Trash, and Time Machine
On Windows, start with the Recycle Bin. Open the Bin, search or sort by “Date Deleted,” right‑click the file, and select Restore—it returns to its original folder. If the Bin is empty, check OneDrive’s online Recycle Bin (if your Desktop/Documents are synced) or look for previous versions by right‑clicking the folder > Restore previous versions (works if File History or Restore Points were configured). Remember: files deleted with Shift+Delete skip the Bin and may require recovery software.
On macOS, open the Trash from the Dock, locate your file, right‑click (or Control‑click), and choose Put Back. If it’s not there, search Spotlight for duplicates or alternate versions, and check iCloud Drive’s “Recently Deleted” at icloud.com if you sync your files. Also, peek into app‑specific recovery: for example, Photos has its own “Recently Deleted” album, and some editors keep version history inside the app.
If you use Time Machine on Mac, connect your backup drive, open the folder where the file used to live, then click the Time Machine icon > Enter Time Machine. Use the timeline to go back in time, select the file, and click Restore. Time Machine can also restore entire folders or previous file versions. On Windows, an equivalent path is File History: open the folder, click Home > History in File Explorer (or use Settings > Update & Security > Backup), navigate versions, and restore. These backup routes are the safest, because they don’t touch the disk areas where deleted files might still reside.
Best data recovery tools for Windows and Mac
When files aren’t in the Bin/Trash or backups, use data recovery software—but install it on a different drive than the one that lost data. We’ve had consistent success with cross‑platform options like Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Stellar Data Recovery. All three offer quick and deep scans, file previews, and filters to find what you actually need, and they support external drives, SD cards, and USB sticks. For Windows‑only freeware, Recuva is a solid starting point, while PhotoRec (with TestDisk) is a powerful open‑source choice for advanced users.
Our current picks:
- Disk Drill (Windows/macOS): Excellent interface, fast scans, strong previews. Try Disk Drill Pro via our affiliate link: download Disk Drill Pro.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows/macOS): Simple workflow, broad file‑type support, good for beginners. Try EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
- Stellar Data Recovery (Windows/macOS): Robust deep scan and RAID options; reliable for tough cases. Try Stellar Data Recovery.
- Recuva (Windows): Free and straightforward for basic recoveries.
- PhotoRec/TestDisk (Win/Mac/Linux): Free, open‑source; great on memory cards, but command‑line heavy.
Tips to maximize your chances: stop all writes to the affected disk (don’t install the recovery app there), scan the smallest logical target first (e.g., the partition rather than the whole disk), and preview before recovering to avoid restoring corrupted files. SSDs with TRIM enabled can reduce recoverability quickly; still, it’s worth attempting a scan if deletion was recent or involved external drives. If the drive is clicking, failing SMART, or contains irreplaceable work, contact a pro lab—software can make things worse in hardware‑failure scenarios.
File recovery is a race against time—and disk writes. Start with the Recycle Bin/Trash, then try Time Machine or File History. If those miss, reputable recovery tools can often save the day, provided you avoid writing to the affected drive. For mission‑critical data or signs of hardware failure, skip DIY and call a professional. If this guide helped, explore the related resources below to build a safer, smarter backup plan next time.
FAQs (schema‑friendly Q&A)
Q: Can I recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin or Trash?
A: Yes—if the data blocks haven’t been overwritten. Use data recovery software and scan the drive, saving recovered files to a different disk. If you have backups (Time Machine or File History), restore from there first.
Q: Do I need to stop using my computer after deletion?
A: Ideally, yes. Close apps and avoid downloading or installing anything to the affected drive. Writing new data can overwrite deleted files, making them unrecoverable—especially on SSDs with TRIM.
Q: Are SSDs harder to recover data from?
A: Often, yes. TRIM helps SSDs maintain performance by clearing deleted blocks, which can make recovery impossible after some time. You’ll have better odds with external SSDs/HDDs or very recent deletions.
Q: Is data recovery software safe?
A: Stick to reputable tools and install them on a different drive. Most tools are read‑only during scanning, but restoring files back to the same drive you’re scanning can overwrite data—always recover to another disk.
Q: How much do recovery programs cost?
A: Expect $0–$100+ for consumer tools. Recuva and PhotoRec are free; paid options like Disk Drill, EaseUS, and Stellar typically offer free scans with paid recovery. Professional lab services can cost hundreds to thousands.
Q: How long does a scan take?
A: From minutes to hours. Quick scans are fast but find less; deep scans comb through raw sectors and take longer. Drive size, speed, interface (USB vs. SATA), and the number of files all influence duration.
Q: What if my drive is encrypted (BitLocker/FileVault)?
A: You’ll need the password or recovery key unlocked before scanning. Without it, the data remains unreadable—even to recovery tools.
Affiliate disclosure
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we’ve tested or vetted for reliability and trust.
Related reads and resources
- Set up Windows File History: /guides/windows-file-history-setup
- Complete Time Machine backup guide (macOS): /how-to/time-machine-backup
- Best external SSDs for backup and recovery: /reviews/best-external-ssds
- Windows 11 Storage Sense explained: /guides/windows-11-storage-sense
- macOS Sonoma productivity tips: /guides/macos-sonoma-tips
- Latest data storage news on CyReader: /news/
Bonus: Quick recovery checklist
- Don’t write to the affected drive.
- Check Recycle Bin/Trash and cloud “Recently Deleted.”
- Try Time Machine or File History first.
- Scan with a trusted recovery app from another disk.
- Recover to a different drive; verify files open correctly.
- For physical issues or vital data, contact a pro lab.
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