Storing files and folders on your Desktop is super easy. For some, the Desktop acts as a home screen that can be used to access everything on the computer. It can store photos, videos, and shortcuts to other parts of the computer for easier access. Show
But what happens if the data on your Desktop is deleted? Or worse, what are you supposed to do if the entire Desktop folder itself is deleted? Deletion can happen easily at the slip of a finger. Luckily, there are solutions. We’re going to show you different methods of recovering deleted files from the Desktop folder in Windows 10. Note: To make sure your data can be recovered safely, refrain from writing anything to your system disk until you’ve finished reading this article. If deleted data is overwritten, it can become impossible to recover without the assistance of a data recovery professional. Quick NavigationHow to Recover Deleted Desktop Files & a Deleted Desktop FolderMethod #1: Restore Deleted Desktop Files from the Recycle BinWhen files are deleted, they first go to the Recycle Bin before becoming permanently deleted. This gives you a chance to restore it before it’s permanently erased from the drive.
When the files are restored, they will return to their original location. In this instance, it will be your Desktop. Your Recycle Bin will only hold files that are under a maximum size. This maximum size can be changed, and it depends on the size of your drive. To check yours, right-click on the Recycle Bin and check that your maximum size is set to. Anything over this size will be automatically permanently deleted instead of going to the Recycle Bin. If your files can’t be restored from the Recycle Bin, the next step is to attempt recovery through the use of data recovery software. For this scenario, we’re using Disk Drill since it’s powerful, easy to use, and has a proven recovery success rate. Additionally, you can download the free version that allows up to 500MB of recovery before you need to pay anything.
Windows includes a feature that allows you to restore files and folders to previous versions through the use of File History. However, this is only possible if File History was enabled before the files or folders were lost. Follow these steps to restore from a previous Desktop version if there is one available:
After you restore, the lost contents will be restored to the Desktop. Method #4: Check and Restore from a BackupBackups are a sure-fire way of recovering your files. However, you need to have created a backup before you can make use of it. If you’ve configured your machine to regularly back up its contents, you can restore your lost data from a backup.
Method #5: Search Your Computer for Lost DataIn some cases, your data might just be in a different location on your computer instead of deleted. Just like deletion, accidentally moving files to another folder is too easy and can happen by mistake. With File Explorer, we can scan our entire drive for files based on their filename. By scanning the whole drive, we don’t have to go through the trouble of checking each and every folder ourselves.
Method #6: Restore the Default Location of Your Personal FoldersIf you’ve ever changed the default location for your personal folders, you may have trouble finding where exactly your data is being stored. This can easily be fixed by restoring the default location, which is usually the C: drive for most computers.
Protect Your Data by Backing It up on Windows 10To protect yourself from future data loss scenarios, create a scheduled backup so your data is safe and secure at all times. This can give you peace of mind. And, the best part about it is you don’t have to do anything once the backup is set! It will automatically back up the selected folders periodically.
When complete, Windows will automatically create a backup of your system straight away so you have something to restore to. FAQWhen a folder is deleted, it will go to your Recycle Bin so you still have a chance to recover it.
If the folder is not in your recycle bin, you can try using data recovery software to recover it. If your Desktop folder is deleted, the first place it would go is your Recycle Bin. You can restore it easily by following these steps:
Once restored, the Desktop folder will return to its original location. To add it back to your Quick access, go to C:\Users\<Your Name>, right-click Desktop then click Pin to Quick access. Your desktop folder could have disappeared for one of many reasons.
If you’ve lost default Desktop icons like the Recycle Bin, you can easily restore them using the below steps:
If you’ve accidentally deleted some files from your Desktop (or the Desktop folder itself), don’t panic. The solutions presented in this article will help you get yourself back on track in no time. In the event that you’ve exhausted all of your options and you’re still unable to recover your files, consider using a professional data recovery service. Your data will be left in the hands of an expert who can use commercial-grade equipment to attempt recovery of your data. |