How do you safely delete and recover files?

1 What happens when you delete a file?

When you delete a file from your computer, it does not disappear immediately. Instead, it is moved to a special folder called the Recycle Bin (on Windows) or the Trash (on Mac), where it remains until you empty it or it reaches a certain size limit. This means that you can still recover the file from the Recycle Bin or the Trash if you change your mind or realize that you need it. However, once you empty the Recycle Bin or the Trash, the file is no longer accessible from your computer. It is marked as deleted and the space it occupied is made available for new data. However, the file is not completely erased from your hard drive, and it may still be possible to recover it using special software.

2 How to safely delete files permanently?

If you want to delete files permanently from your computer, you need to ensure they are overwritten with random data so they cannot be recovered. This is particularly important for sensitive or confidential information, such as personal, financial, or medical records. Depending on your operating system and preferences, there are various ways to securely delete files. On Windows, you can use the built-in tool Cipher, which is a command-line utility that overwrites deleted data with zeros. To use it, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type cipher /w:C , where C is the drive letter of your hard drive. Alternatively, on Mac you can use the built-in Secure Empty Trash option in the Finder menu or Disk Utility app to erase free space on your drive. Lastly, there are third-party programs like Eraser, File Shredder, or CCleaner that can securely delete files from both Windows and Mac as well as external devices like USB flash drives or memory cards. However, be cautious when using these programs and make sure to backup any important data before proceeding.

3 How to recover deleted files?

If you delete a file by mistake, or you realize that you need it later, you may be able to recover it from your computer, depending on how and when you deleted it. To attempt to do so, check the Recycle Bin or the Trash first; if the file is still there, you can restore it by right-clicking on it and choosing Restore (on Windows) or Put Back (on Mac). Additionally, search for the file name in the Recycle Bin or the Trash if there are many files there. If not, check your backups - whether on an external hard drive, a cloud service, or a recovery partition - and use the backup software that you have installed, or the built-in tools on your operating system (e.g. File History on Windows or Time Machine on Mac), to access them and restore the file. Lastly, if you have emptied the Recycle Bin or the Trash, or you have overwritten the file, use a file recovery software such as Recuva, Disk Drill, or EaseUS Data Recovery to scan your hard drive for deleted files. Success of recovery depends on several factors such as size, type, and condition of the file; amount of time passed since deletion; and amount of new data written on the drive; so act quickly and avoid using your computer until you try to recover the file to increase chances of finding it.

4 What precautions should you take to avoid losing files?

Deleting and recovering files can be risky and time-consuming, so it is best to prevent data loss in the first place. To do this, you should organize your files by keeping them in folders with descriptive names and labels, as this will help you find them quickly. Additionally, you should create regular backups of your files on another device or location. This will help you restore your files in case of accidental deletion, corruption, or damage. Finally, you should protect your files with passwords, encryption, or other security measures to safeguard them from hackers or other threats. By taking these precautions, you can safely delete and recover files while avoiding the loss of important information.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?