When an important file disappears from your computer, it may still be recoverable. The most important thing is to stop doing unnecessary work on the affected drive because new files can overwrite the space previously occupied by the deleted data.
Check the Recycle Bin First
On Windows, the first place to check is the Recycle Bin. Locate the missing file, right-click it and choose Restore.
If it is not there, check File History or previous versions if you had these backup features enabled.
Try Windows Recovery Tools
For files that are not available through normal recovery options, Windows provides recovery tools that can search storage for files that are no longer visible through the normal file system.
Use caution when running recovery commands because incorrect disk operations can make recovery more difficult.
Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery tool can also be used for supported recovery situations.
Check Mac Backups
Mac users should check Time Machine if it was previously configured. A Time Machine backup can allow you to restore files or folders from an earlier point in time.
Also check the Trash before assuming a file has been permanently deleted.
Stop Using the Affected Drive
The worst thing you can do after deleting an important file is continue using the computer normally and save large amounts of new information to the same drive.
If the file is particularly important, minimize activity on the affected storage and avoid installing recovery software onto the same drive if possible. The more new data written to the drive, the greater the possibility that the deleted file’s previous space will be overwritten.
