Why is my Recycle Bin not showing deleted items? It’s a common scenario for Windows users: you delete files, expect to find them in the Recycle Bin, but they seem to have vanished into thin air. However, you don’t need to worry. In this post, we will delve into the reasons behind this issue and explore effective solutions to recover deleted files not in Recycle Bin. Let’s dive in!
Part 1: Why Is My Recycle Bin Not Showing Deleted Items?
Before we explore solutions for recovering files that are not in the Recycle Bin, it’s important to understand the possible reasons behind the issue. Some common causes include:
- The Recycle Bin is full or has reached its size limit. That’s why it won’t show new deleted files.
- You may accidentally set your Recycle Bin to delete files immediately.
- You deleted the file using the “Shift+Delete” shortcut key. Files deleted in this way will not go to the Recycle Bin on your PC, but will be permanently deleted.
- Files were deleted from your removable drives.
- The Recycle Bin itself can become corrupted.
- Malware or virus attack.
Part 2: The Ultimate Way to Recover Deleted Files Not in Recycle Bin
Undoubtedly, the most straightforward way to recover deleted files not in Recycle Bin is to access your backup source. However, things are often not as favorable as they seem. If you don’t have a backup, or if your backup is not up to date, professional data recovery software can be your best choice.
Many software options are available on the market for recovering permanently deleted files. After comparing factors like ease of use and success rate, we highly recommend Tenorshare 4DDiG Data Recovery. This powerful tool can recover over 2,000 types of files from various storage media, including emptied Recycle Bin, USB drives, SD cards, and more. What’s more, it also provides a free version for users to experience.
Here is a guide on how to recover deleted files not in Recycle Bin using this free data recovery tool:
Step 1: To begin, you will need to download and install Tenorshare 4DDiG on your computer. Once the program is launched, you can directly select “Recycle Bin” under the Common Location section and then click the “Scan” button.
Step 2: First, 4DDiG will perform a quick scan of the selected drive, and then it will automatically initiate a deep scan. You’ll find a progress bar at the bottom of the interface, which displays the current scanning progress.
Step 3: All the scanned files will be displayed on the screen, and you have the option to select and preview the files you wish to recover. Following your selection, click the “Recover” button to initiate the recovery process.
Part 3: Alternative Ways to Restore Deleted Files Not in Recycle Bin on Windows 10
Fix 1: Check If Your Files Was Deleted
Sometimes, the files are not actually deleted; you might have accidentally placed them in another folder or hidden them. Many Windows users make such small mistakes. In such cases, you don’t need to rush to recover deleted files not in Recycle Bin. Here’s what you can do:
- Check Other Folders: Start by looking in other directories, especially those you have been working in recently. If you can’t find your missing files, try using the search function in File Explorer.
- Show Hidden Files: To reveal hidden files, open File Explorer, go to the “View” tab, and check the “Hidden items” box.
Fix 2: Use Backup & Restore Feature
Thanks to the “Windows Backup” feature, you can easily recover deleted files not in Recycle Bin. It allows Windows users to create copies of their important files and system images for the purpose of data recovery in case of data loss or other unforeseen events. We hope that you’ve set up and used this backup tool before deleting your files. If you haven’t, this method won’t work. Here is how to restore missing files with Windows Backup:
Step 1: Plug your backup drive into the computer. Then, press the Windows + I keys together and select “Update & Security.”
Step 2: Select “Backup” in the left sidebar. You should see an option that says “Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7).” Click on it.
Step 3: Hit the “Restore my files” option. Now, find the specific files you want to restore.
Step 4: Once you’ve found the lost files, select them and click on the “Next” button.
Step 5: You can choose to restore them to their original location or to a different location. Make your selection and hit the”Restore” button.
Fix 3: Restore a Previous Version
If you are still wondering how to restore deleted files not in Recycle Bin on Windows 10, you can consider restoring previous versions of these files. To do so, follow these steps:
Step 1: Navigate to the folder where the deleted file was located. Then, perform a right-click on the folder and select the “Restore previous versions” option.
Step 2: A window will appear showing you a list of previous versions of the folder. Next, choose a previous version that contains your deleted files.
Step 3: You can either click “Open” to view the contents of the previous version to ensure it contains the file you want or click “Restore” to recover the entire previous version.
Fix 4: Seek Professional Help
If all the above methods fail to recover deleted files not in Recycle Bin, and the data is critically important, reputable data recovery services can be your last resort. These services specialize in advanced data recovery techniques and have the expertise and equipment to recover data from a wide range of storage devices, even when it seems like all hope is lost.
However, every method has its advantages and disadvantages. Data recovery services are costly and time-consuming. Moreover, they are also unable to recover data that has been overwritten or irreparably damaged.
Part 4: How to Avoid Deleted File Not Showing in Recycle Bin?
You definitely don’t want to waste time and effort to recover deleted files not in Recycle Bin again. Therefore, it is essential to take preventive measures to avoid the problem from occurring in the future.
Set Deletion Preferences
Check your Recycle Bin settings to ensure that deleted files will be sent to the Recycle Bin by default. To do so:
Step 1: Right-click on the Recycle Bin and go to “Properties.”
Step 2: Check the “Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted” option.
Regularly Backup Data
If possible, regularly back up important files to an external hard drive, cloud storage, or other backup solutions. When data is accidentally deleted or cannot be recovered from the Recycle Bin, you won’t be as panicked as you are now.
Repair Corrupted Recycle Bin
Recycle Bin corruption can be caused by various factors, including file system issues, damaged system files, and more. The following steps to help you resolve this error:
Step 1: Press the Windows+S keys, type “cmd,” right-click on “Command Prompt,” and select “Run as administrator.”
Step 2: Type the rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin command and hit Enter.
Step 3: Finally, restart your computer.
Wrapping Things Up
Now, you should no longer be puzzled by the question, ‘Why is my Recycle Bin not showing deleted items?’ Losing important data can be a frustrating experience, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can often recover deleted files not in the Recycle Bin. Furthermore, compared to other methods, data recovery software has a higher success rate and is more suitable for those with limited technical knowledge. The sooner you use it, the better, as the probability of recovering deleted data gradually decreases the longer you continue to use the computer.
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