Losing a crucial file unintentionally can be a nightmare for any user. Fortunately, Microsoft understands this and has introduced the Windows File Recovery tool for Windows 10 users. This utility allows users to recover files that they might have accidentally deleted or lost. In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to use this tool to retrieve your lost data.
1. Installing Windows File Recovery
Before you start recovering deleted files, you must install the Windows File Recovery tool from the Microsoft Store.
- Go to the Microsoft Store.
- In the search bar, type “Windows File Recovery” and select it from the list.
- Click on the “Get” button to download and install the tool.
2. Using Command Prompt
Windows File Recovery is a command-line tool, so you will have to use Command Prompt to run it.
- Search for “Command Prompt” in the Windows search bar.
- Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select ‘Run as administrator’.
3. Syntax and Commands
The general syntax for Windows File Recovery is:
winfr source-drive: destination-folder /switches
source-drive: The drive letter of the disk containing the files you want to recover.
destination-folder: A folder where you want to save the recovered files.
switches: Options that define the recovery mode and type of files to recover.
Here are the primary modes available:
/n <path><filename>[.<ext>]: Search a specific path and filename. For example: /n \Users\JohnDoe\Documents\report.docx
/y: <type>: Recover specific file types. For instance, /y:JPEG,PNG would recover JPEG and PNG image files.
4. Modes of Recovery
Default mode: This mode works well for NTFS file systems and is recommended when the file was recently deleted.
Example:
winfr C: D:\RecoveredFiles /n \Users\JohnDoe\Documents\report.docx
Segment mode: This is also meant for NTFS systems but is useful if the default mode doesn’t work. It’s more comprehensive and is used for files that were deleted some time ago.
Example:
winfr C: D:\RecoveredFiles /n \Users\JohnDoe\Documents\report.docx /r
Signature mode: Useful for external drives, USBs, and FAT, exFAT, and ReFS file systems. It’s used when looking for specific file types.
Example:
winfr C: D:\RecoveredFiles /y:JPEG,PNG /x
5. Post-Recovery
Once you run the command, the tool will begin searching for and restoring the files based on the criteria you set. Ensure you have enough space in the destination folder.
Tips
Act Fast: The quicker you try to recover the file, the higher the chances of getting it back. Over time, the file space can be overwritten, making recovery difficult.
Don’t Use the Affected Drive: After deletion, avoid using the drive to prevent overwriting the space of the deleted files.
Backup, backup, backup: Always maintain regular backups of crucial files to avoid data loss.
Windows File Recovery is a powerful utility for those unexpected moments when you need to retrieve lost data. While it may seem intimidating at first, with a bit of practice, you’ll find it to be an invaluable tool in your Windows toolkit. Always remember to backup your files to safeguard against accidental losses.