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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf Windows File Recovery does not locate a recently deleted file, stop using the affected drive, confirm the source and destination are correct, and check that your search filter matches the file. For a recent deletion on an NTFS drive, start with Regular mode; if it fails, try Extensive mode if the file type is supported. A scan cannot guarantee recovery: ordinary computer use can overwrite deleted data, and Microsoft notes that recovery may fail on an SSD.
First, protect the drive and confirm the file is actually deleted
When a file is deleted, its storage space is marked as available. New files and ordinary computer activity can overwrite that space, so avoid creating, downloading, installing, or copying files on the affected drive. Microsoft advises minimizing or avoiding computer use to improve the chance of recovery. This does not guarantee success, and a scan itself cannot restore data that has already been overwritten.
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Windows File Recovery is intended for deleted files on local storage that cannot be restored from the Recycle Bin. It does not recover files from cloud storage or network file shares. If the file may only be misplaced, search from the Windows taskbar or File Explorer first; Windows Search can return results from the PC and OneDrive. Also check whether a backup contains the file. See Microsoft’s guide to finding files in Windows and its information on backup, restore, and recovery.
Check the source drive, destination, and available space
The source is the drive where the file was lost. The destination is where recovered files will be written. They must be different drives or partitions; do not save recovered files back to the affected location, because writing there can overwrite data you are trying to recover.
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- If you have only one drive, connect a USB flash drive or external hard drive and use it as the destination.
- Do not create a new partition after losing the file; creating one can reduce the chance of recovery.
- Make sure the destination has enough free space. If it fills during a run, Windows File Recovery may prompt you to free space and resume, skip a file, or abort.
Choose the scan mode for the drive and deletion
Microsoft’s guidance for Windows File Recovery, which applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11, recommends choosing the mode based on the drive’s file system and what happened to it. Check the drive’s Properties in File Explorer if you do not know its file system.
| Situation | Mode to use |
|---|---|
| Recently deleted file on NTFS | Regular |
| File deleted a while ago, drive formatted, or disk corrupted (NTFS) | Extensive |
| FAT or exFAT drive, including many SD cards and USB drives | Extensive |
If you are unsure, begin with Regular mode. If it does not find the file, try Extensive mode if the file type is supported. Microsoft notes that free space may have been overwritten, particularly on a solid-state drive (SSD), in which case recovery may not succeed. The Windows File Recovery instructions provide the mode guidance and supported file-type details.
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Review the command and narrow the filter
The general command format is winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]. Include the colon after each drive letter and a space between the source and destination. A /n filter can target a filename, path, extension, or wildcard. Check that it reflects the file’s original location and name; a filter that is too specific or points to the wrong path can exclude the file from results.
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/n *.pdfor/n *invoice*. - For a folder filter, include the trailing backslash.
- Put paths containing spaces in quotation marks.
- When scanning the Windows operating-system drive, use filters to narrow results; otherwise, system-generated files may appear among the results.
Microsoft documents these command examples:
winfr C: E: /regular /n *.pdf /n *.docxwinfr E: C: /extensive /n *invoice*These examples illustrate syntax, not a universal source-and-destination choice. Use the drive where the file was lost as the source and a separate drive or partition as the destination. Windows File Recovery places results in a Recovery_<date and time> folder on that destination.
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What to do if the file is still missing
- Confirm that you searched the correct source drive and chose a separate destination with free space.
- Check the original folder, filename, extension, and
/nfilter; rerun with a broader matching filter if needed. - If the file was recently deleted from NTFS, use Regular mode first, then try Extensive mode if supported. For FAT or exFAT, use Extensive mode.
- If Extensive mode still does not locate the file, it may have been overwritten or may not be recoverable with this utility. Microsoft suggests contacting an administrator if further help is needed.
Windows File Recovery is a command-line app available from Microsoft Store. Microsoft’s support page covers Windows 10 and Windows 11; it also notes that Windows 10 support ended on 2025-10-14.
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