How to Recover Deleted Files After Rebooting Your Computer

Rebooting your computer after deleting files doesn’t necessarily mean that those files are lost forever. Recovering deleted files is possible, but it depends on several factors such as the file system, type of deletion, and disk activity. This guide will help you understand the process and provide steps to recover your deleted files.

Factors Affecting File Recovery

Several factors can impact the success rate of recovering deleted files after rebooting your computer. These include:

File System

Different file systems, such as NTFS, FAT32, and ext4, handle file deletion differently. For example, NTFS maintains a record of deleted files in manage lists, which can make recovery more likely. On the other hand, FAT32 and ext4 might not have such records.

Type of Deletion

Deletion methods also play a significant role in recovery. If you move files to the Recycle Bin and then empty it, recovery is usually straightforward. However, if you use Shift Delete, the files are not placed in the Recycle Bin and are located directly in the unused space on the disk. Despite this, recovery is still possible.

Disk Activity

After deleting files, if new data is written to the same disk, it may overwrite the spaces that contained the deleted files. This overwriting makes recovery more difficult or even impossible.

Recovery Tools

Several software tools are available to aid in the recovery process. Some reliable options include:

Recuva: A free data recovery tool that can scan for and recover deleted files. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Another user-friendly data recovery software that can help you retrieve lost files. TestDisk: A powerful free utility that can be used to recover lost partitions and recover deleted files.

These tools allow you to scan your disk for remnants of deleted files and recover them if possible.

Steps to Recover Deleted Files

Stop Using the Disk: Avoid writing new data to the disk to increase the chances of recovery. Use Recovery Software: Download and install a data recovery tool on a different drive to prevent overwriting data. Scan and Recover: Follow the software instructions to scan for and recover deleted files.

Additional Considerations

It’s worth noting that even after a computer is rebooted, data stored in RAM is lost. However, until that data is overwritten by other information, it is physically still present and can be recovered using tools like Recuva. If you cannot access your Windows operating system, using a Linux Live CD can be a valid option for data recovery.

If you need specific recommendations for recovery tools or further guidance, feel free to ask!