We’ve all deleted files accidentally or simply changed our minds about the necessity of a particular file or folder, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re now second-guessing that last delete. These steps should apply to all Windows operating systems that use the Recycle Bin including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and more.
How to Restore Deleted Files From the Recycle Bin
Time Required: Restoring deleted files should only take a few minutes, but it depends mostly on how quickly you can find the files you want to restore as well as how large they are. Follow these easy steps to restore deleted files from the Recycle Bin back to their original locations on your computer:
How to Restore a Specific File From a Deleted Folder
Most people are probably just fine restoring a folder without knowing which files are in it, but if you’re curious what you’re about to undelete or you want to restore only a select file or two from the deleted folder, you can do that with Command Prompt. To select more than one file or folder, hold the Ctrl key while selecting. To select a range of items, use Shift. You’ll only see this location if you’re viewing Recycle Bin in “details” view (you can toggle that view from the View menu). Another way to restore the selection is to drag it out of the Recycle Bin window and into a folder of your choice. This will force the file to be restored wherever you choose. The time this takes depends mostly on how many files you’re restoring and how large they are all together, but your computer speed is a factor here, too.
How to Show or ‘Unhide’ the Recycle Bin Program/Icon
Recycle Bin doesn’t have to sit on your Windows Desktop all the time. While it’s certainly an integrated part of the operating system and so can’t be uninstalled, it can be hidden. The text to the left of the typing area should now read C:>. If you get an error, try a different command like: or Unfortunately, the exact command is different in different versions of Windows. All the deleted files are listed in the Command Prompt window. If there are any folders in Recycle Bin, those files (and original file names) are shown as well. In Command Prompt, the name for the folder isn’t the same as what it shows up as in Recycle Bin. Folders have " The point here is to find the one that lists the directory you identified in Step 5. In our example (see the screenshot below), the directory ends in “1002” (the very top section) so we’ll keep hitting Tab until we find it. In the example image, our folder is called $R0035T3. Now you’re inside the folder that has the deleted files you want to look at. This reveals the deleted files inside the deleted folder. In our example, we’d type this since we want to copy that BMP file to the Desktop folder: The command completed successfully if you see a “<#> file(s) copied” message. You, or maybe your computer maker, may have done this as a way to keep the Desktop a bit cleaner. It’s perfectly fine that it’s out of the way but, of course, that makes it hard to use. Here’s how to show the Recycle Bin again if it’s been hidden:
Windows 10
Open Desktop Icon Settings via Settings > Personalization > Themes and then Desktop icon settings (located under Related Settings). Check Recycle Bin and then choose OK.
Windows 8
Open Control Panel and search for show or hide common icons on the desktop. Select that link from the results and check Recycle Bin, and then choose OK.
Windows 7 & Vista
Right-click anywhere on the Desktop and choose Personalize. Select Change desktop icons on the left. Check Recycle Bin and then choose OK.
Windows XP
There is no built-in ability to hide the Recycle Bin in Windows XP but it is possible via a program called Tweak UI. If you’re using Windows XP but don’t see Recycle Bin, it’s probably because this program was used to hide it, which you can also use to “unhide” it. If you’d prefer that the Recycle Bin stays off the Desktop, another way to access it is via searching for recycle bin via Cortana (Windows 10) or the search bar (most other versions of Windows) and then opening the program when it appears in the list of results. You could also start Recycle Bin by executing start shell:RecycleBinFolder from Command Prompt, or shell:RecycleBinFolder from the Run dialog box, but those methods are probably only helpful in the rarest of circumstances. In some versions of Windows, desk.cpl ,5 works, too.
How to Stop Windows From Instantly Deleting Files
If you find yourself recovering deleted files from the Recycle Bin more often than you probably should, there’s a chance that your computer is set up to not prompt you for a confirmation when you delete files. For example, if you delete a file in Windows 10 and it immediately goes into the Recycle Bin without asking you if you’re sure you want to delete it, then you might like to change that so that you’ll be given a chance to say No if you accidentally delete a file or folder. To do this, right-click or tap-and-hold the Recycle Bin icon and select Properties. If there’s an option there called Display delete confirmation dialog, make sure it has a check in the box so that you’ll be asked if you’re sure that you want to remove any files and folders that you delete. If Windows is instantly deleting files even with the confirmation dialog enabled, check the other setting just above it. When you enable the Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin option, files bypass the Recycle Bin completely. This means you don’t ever have to empty it to clear up disk space, but it also means that you can’t restore something from the Recycle Bin should you change your mind about keeping it.
