How to Restore Deleted Files From the Trash Bin on Windows?

Windows provides a safety net called the Trash Bin, commonly known as the Recycle Bin, which temporarily stores deleted items and allows users to restore them easily. Restoring files from the Trash Bin on Windows is a straightforward process, but many users miss important details, such as restoring files to their original location or searching within the Recycle Bin efficiently.

This detailed guide explains everything you need to know about restoring deleted files from the Trash Bin on Windows. It walks you through each step in a clear and practical way, highlights important terms, and answers common questions users usually have.

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How to restore deleted files from the trash bin on Windows?

To restore deleted files from the Trash Bin on Windows, open the Recycle Bin from the desktop, locate the deleted file, right-click on it, and select the Restore option. The file will return to its original location automatically.

This simple process works for most files that have been deleted using the standard delete action and not permanently removed.

When you press the Delete key or right-click and choose Delete, Windows does not erase the file immediately. Instead, it moves the file to the Recycle Bin, which acts as a temporary holding area. This makes file recovery easy as long as the Recycle Bin has not been emptied and the file size does not exceed its storage limit.

If you use Shift + Delete, the file bypasses the Recycle Bin and is permanently deleted, which means the steps in this guide will not apply in that situation.

The following steps explain the complete process in detail so you can recover your deleted files confidently.

Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin on Windows

The first step is to access the Recycle Bin on your Windows computer. In most systems, the Recycle Bin icon is available directly on the desktop.

If you do not see it on the desktop, you can open it by clicking on the Start menu, typing Recycle Bin in the search bar, and pressing Enter. Once opened, the Recycle Bin window will display all the files and folders that were recently deleted from your system.

At this stage, make sure you are logged into the same user account from which the files were deleted, as each Windows user profile has its own Recycle Bin.

Step 2: Locate the deleted files you want to restore

After opening the Recycle Bin, you will see a list of deleted files along with details such as Original Location, Date Deleted, and File Type. Carefully browse through this list to find the file or folder you want to restore.

If the Recycle Bin contains many files, you can use the Search box located at the top right corner of the window. Typing part of the file name or file extension can help you locate the required item faster.

Sorting files by date deleted or original location can also make it easier to identify recently removed files.

Step 3: Select the files for restoration

Once you find the desired file, click on it to select it. If you want to restore multiple files at once, hold down the Ctrl key and click each file you want to recover.

For restoring an entire folder, simply select the folder instead of individual files. Restoring a folder will also restore all the files inside it to their original location.

Double-check your selection before moving to the next step to ensure you restore only the files you actually need.

Step 4: Restore the deleted files

After selecting the files, right-click on any one of the selected items. From the context menu, click on the Restore option.

Windows will instantly move the selected files out of the Recycle Bin and place them back into their original location. You do not need to choose a destination manually, as Windows remembers where the files were deleted from.

If you want to restore files to a different location, you can drag them from the Recycle Bin and drop them into a folder of your choice instead of using the Restore option.

Step 5: Verify the restored files

Once the restoration process is complete, navigate to the original folder where the files were stored. Open the file to ensure it works correctly and has not been corrupted.

This step is especially important for documents, images, and videos. If the file opens normally and displays all content, the restoration process was successful.

If the file does not open properly, it might have been damaged before deletion or during system issues, though this is rare when restoring from the Recycle Bin.

Step 6: Restore files using the Recycle Bin menu

Windows also provides another way to restore files using the Recycle Bin toolbar. After opening the Recycle Bin, select the file or files you want to recover. Then, look at the top menu and click on the Restore the selected items option.

This method performs the same action as right-clicking and selecting Restore. It is useful for users who prefer menu-based navigation rather than right-clicking.

Step 7: Restore all deleted files at once

If you want to recover everything stored in the Recycle Bin, Windows allows you to restore all items at once. Open the Recycle Bin and select the Restore all items option from the menu.

This will move every file and folder back to its original location. This option is helpful if you emptied important folders by mistake and want to recover all deleted content quickly.

What to Do When Files Do Not Appear in the Recycle Bin?

Sometimes users open the Recycle Bin and cannot find their deleted files. This usually happens due to specific reasons.

Files deleted using Shift + Delete bypass the Recycle Bin entirely. Files deleted from external storage devices such as USB drives or memory cards may not be sent to the Recycle Bin, depending on system settings. Large files that exceed the Recycle Bin size limit may also be permanently deleted.

In such cases, restoring files from the Recycle Bin will not be possible, and advanced recovery methods may be required.

But you can get the deleted files in your Trash Bin by following the guide: How to fix “Deleted Files Not Showing in Recycle Bin” in Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Faqs

Can I restore files after emptying the Recycle Bin?

Once the Recycle Bin is emptied, files are no longer available for direct restoration using Windows tools. However, data recovery software may help if the storage space has not been overwritten.

Where do restored files go in Windows?

Restored files return to their original location from where they were deleted. If the original folder no longer exists, Windows may restore the file to the desktop.

How long do files stay in the Recycle Bin?

Files remain in the Recycle Bin until it reaches its storage limit or until the user manually empties it. Windows automatically deletes older items when the bin becomes full.

Can I restore files deleted from another user account?

No, each Windows user account has its own Recycle Bin. You must log in to the same account used when deleting the files to restore them.

Is it safe to restore files from the Recycle Bin?

Yes, restoring files from the Recycle Bin is safe because Windows does not modify the file during this process. The file returns exactly as it was before deletion.