Figuring out how to recover deleted files depends on how the files are deleted and what operating system you’re running. Some deleted files are an easy fix, while others require a bit more tenacity to recover.

How to recover deleted files in Windows.
When you delete files in Windows, they typically go into the Recycle Bin. If you find that you need the file you’ve deleted, it might be as simple as going into your Recycle Bin, selecting the appropriate file and clicking restore. However, if your computer is set to empty your recycle bin automatically, or you’ve manually emptied it since deleting your file, you’ve got a bit more work to recover data from the hard drive itself.

Consider a file recovery program to recover lost files.
You may be able to recover a lost file with file recovery software. File recovery software comes in many flavors, from free versions to fully loaded but costly paid solutions. Evaluate the different programs available based on your needs. What’s your budget? How much do you need to recover your lost file? How much data do you need to recover from the hard drive?

If one file recovery program doesn’t work, you can always try another one, but some programs operate in a manner that makes it less likely you’ll recover your file after an unsuccessful attempt. While recovery programs vary, you’ll need to follow these general steps to recover a lost file:

1. Install file recovery software.
2. Run the file recovery software.
3. Select the source.
4. Designate a drive or directory to receive the data.
5. Begin the recovery process.
5. Look for files of the specific type you want to recover.
6. Follow program instructions to save specific files or the whole batch.

How to recover deleted files from a formatted hard drive.
Believe it or not, you can generally recover files even from a hard drive that’s been reformatted. Reformatting doesn’t really erase the data on the hard drive; it simply erases the file system and writes a new file system over it. You can still use data recovery programs to recover a lost file from before you formatted. The key is to avoid writing new data on top of it, so avoid installing a new operating system before you’ve retrieved your missing file. Instead, put the hard drive into a system as a secondary drive in order to run the recovery program without having to write new data.

You may not be able to recover data from a hard drive that’s busted.
While hard drive data, in theory, remains on the drive virtually indefinitely, recovering it from a drive that suffers mechanical failure is an entirely different prospect. Hard drives are not designed to be repaired by home users, so it’s virtually impossible to repair a hard drive that has suffered a mechanical failure. If this occurs, you’ll need to go to professionals to recover data from your hard drive. Unfortunately, this can be a very costly solution, so don’t consider it unless your needs specifically warrant the cost.