Sometimes you’re working on your computer and delete a folder by mistake. Someone else might also access your files and delete a folder they shouldn’t have. Or you delete it on purpose, only to realize later that you need it and it’s no longer there. In all these cases, the question is the same: how do you recover the deleted folder?
Deleted files can stay recoverable until they are overwritten: stop using the device. If software does not solve it, see Bot’s lab data recovery, which starts with a free diagnosis.
If the files are still in the Recycle Bin, the solution is simple. The bigger problem is when the folder has been permanently deleted from your computer or phone – and, worse still, you don’t have a backup of the files.
But don’t worry: there are still options. Below, we explain what happens when you delete files and folders, and how to recover them.
How do I recover a deleted folder on my computer?
If you deleted a folder on your computer and it went to the Recycle Bin, there’s nothing to worry about. Recovering it is simple:
- Open the Recycle Bin from the Desktop icon or by typing “Recycle Bin” in the Windows search bar;
- Find the deleted folder in the list;
- Right-click and select “Restore”.
The folder goes back to its original location and you can access it again.
However, if the Recycle Bin has been emptied, or it filled up and you deleted the folder a long time ago, you may not find it there. In that case, the folder has been permanently deleted and you need to follow the steps below.
To reduce the risk of this happening, avoid emptying the Recycle Bin too often and consider increasing its maximum size (right-click the Recycle Bin > Properties), so deleted files stay there longer and can be restored.
How do I recover a permanently deleted folder?
Files are usually permanently deleted when you use Shift + Delete, when you empty the Recycle Bin, or when the Recycle Bin reaches its size limit and the oldest items are removed to free up space.
Even though the computer tells you the deletion is permanent, the files and folders are not necessarily gone for good. On a hard drive, the system only removes the references to them; the data itself stays on the disk until it is overwritten. On SSDs, however, the TRIM function often wipes deleted data quickly, which makes recovery much harder.
As long as the data hasn’t been overwritten by other files, you may still be able to get it back. Here are some ways to do it:
Stop using the device
The first step to recovering a permanently deleted folder is to stop using the drive, so that new files don’t overwrite the deleted data. If that happens, recovery may no longer be possible.
Recover the folder from the Windows backup
This is a free recovery method, but it only works if you had already turned on File History, which keeps copies of your files on an external drive so you can restore them if they are damaged or lost.
If File History is turned on, the process is simple:
- Type “file history” in the Windows search bar and click “Restore your files with File History”;
- Use the arrow buttons to go back to a date before the deletion, then find and select the deleted folder;
- Click the “Restore” button to recover it.
Restore a previous version of the folder
You can also try restoring a previous version of the location where the folder was stored. This brings back the contents as they were at an earlier point, before the folder was deleted. To do this:
- In File Explorer, go to the drive or parent folder where the deleted folder used to be;
- Right-click and select “Restore previous versions”;
- On the “Previous Versions” tab, select a version dated before the deletion;
- Click “Restore” (or “Open” to copy only the folder you need).
This method only works if System Protection (restore points) or File History was already turned on for that drive before the folder was deleted.
To set this up now so you’re protected in the future, type “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar and follow the configuration steps.
Use data recovery software
If you didn’t have File History or restore points set up, you can use data recovery software.
Programs such as EaseUS, Recuva and Recoverit are designed for data recovery. They scan the drive for deleted files and folders so you can get them back. Install the program on a different drive from the one you’re recovering, and save the recovered files to another drive too.
These programs usually have a free version with limits and paid plans that recover more data. If you need to recover a large amount of data, you’ll probably have to buy the full version.
Bear in mind that, although these tools are popular, they require care and some knowledge. A mistake during the process can make recovery impossible.
Also, they can’t always recover all the data; in many cases, the more advanced tools used in data recovery labs are needed.
Hire a company that specializes in data recovery
Hiring a data recovery specialist is the best way to ensure safe procedures and a better chance of success.
A company like Bot has the experience, professionals and specialized equipment to recover deleted folders and files, even large volumes of data.
This reduces the risk of losing important data that was deleted by mistake or by accident. And the chances of recovering the lost data are higher, because specialized companies use advanced software and equipment.
How do I recover a deleted folder from my phone?
Phones don’t have a general Recycle Bin like Windows. However, apps such as Photos, Gallery and Files often have a “Recently Deleted” or “Trash” folder that keeps items for around 30 days, so check there first. If the folder isn’t there, it has been permanently deleted and you will need recovery software or a specialized company.
If the folder you deleted was on the phone’s memory card, you can connect the card to your computer and run the programs mentioned above (EaseUS, Recuva, Recoverit or others).
On the phone itself, you can try apps such as Undeleter and EaseUS MobiSaver. Like recovery programs for computers, they can’t recover everything, and recovery from a phone’s internal storage is often limited.
You can also protect yourself against permanent deletion by installing a recycle bin app on your phone, such as Recycle Bin or Dumpster. They make it easier to restore deleted files – but the app must already be installed before the files are deleted.
These are the main ways to recover a deleted folder, whether permanently deleted or not, on your phone or computer. Often the solution is a little more complex, so the best approach is to prevent data loss by backing up your files regularly, either to an external drive or to the cloud. That way, you won’t have to worry.
However, we don’t always have backups of every folder, and they aren’t always up to date. So if you need help recovering deleted folders or files, you can count on Bot. Get a quote now and start recovering your data!
