Recover deleted data on Windows 10 with Windows File Recovery

If you deleted a file in Windows 10, you can restore that file even if it’s no longer in the Recycle Bin. Software companies also launch products that help recover deleted data on Windows, but usually the paid version. Instead, Microsoft offers a command line application called Windows File Recovery to recover deleted files. This application is provided in the Microsoft Store, you need to update to Windows 10 May 2020 or higher to use it.

Windows File Recovery can recover photos, documents, videos and other types of files on HDD, SSD, USB drives or memory cards. The program supports system formats such as: FAT, NTFS, exFAT and ReFS. FAT and exFAT are used for SD cards, flash drives, and USB drives with less than 4GB of storage. NTFS is commonly used on HDDs, SSDs, external hard drives, flash drives, and USB drives larger than 4GB. ReFS is used on Windows Server and Windows Pro for Workstation computers.

Windows File Recovery Deleted File Recovery Modes

Windows File Recovery provides 3 different recovery modes, including:

• Default mode: Default mode Use Master File Table (MFT) to locate lost files. The MFT contains the name, size, time, date, and other details for each file and folder in the NTFS partition using file segments called File Record Segments (FRS), which are summaries. file information. Therefore, Default mode works best when both the MFT and the FRS are intact and readable. When your drive is still working properly, this mode should be used.
• Segment mode: This mode does not require MFT but requires file segments. Therefore, this mode may be needed if there is any error to the MFT.
• Signature mode. This mode only works for non-NTFS format. It searches for specific file types but doesn’t work well with small files.

If you’re not sure which mode to use, Microsoft recommends starting with default mode. The following table can also help you decide, which data recovery mode to choose when using Windows File Recovery:

File System	Status	Use data recovery mode
NTFS	Just removed from the trash	Default mode
	Deleted a few hours ago	Use Segment mode first, then use Signature mode
	After formatting the disk
	Disk is damaged
FAT, exFAT, ReFS	Supported data types	Signature mode

To learn more about the NTFS format and related file systems, you can read Microsoft’s documentation on NTFS overview.

How to use Windows File Recovery to recover deleted data on Windows

You need to update your Windows to the Updates first Windows 10 May 2020 (Windows 10 2004). To check, go to Settings > System > About. Scroll down to the section for Windows specifications. If the Version number indicating 2004 is higher, you can use the Windows File Recovery feature. If not, go to Settings > Update & Security. Click Check for Updates to see if the Feature update for Windows 10, version 2004 is available for your PC. If yes, click Download and install.

After Windows 10 version 2004 is installed, open Download Windows File Recovery in Microsoft Store and click Get to download the program. You can now recover deleted files by opening Windows File Recovery from the . button Start in the left corner of the Windows screen. A CMD window opens showing you the proper command syntax to use with the command as well as a few examples for you to follow.

The basic syntax of the command is as follows: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/switches]

Example: Suppose you want to restore a file named anonyviet.docx that is stored in the Documents folder on drive C and save the restored version to your D drive. You would enter the command as:

winfr C: D: /n \Users\<username>\Documents\xyz.docx.

Before you run such a command, there are some conditions. The drives containing the deleted files and the drives where the recovered files are stored must be different. If your machine isn’t equipped with two drives, just plug in the USB drive and use it as recovery. The tool automatically creates a folder named Recovery_ <ngày và giờ> on the recovery drive it uses to store the recovered file. You can specify a different folder to save in, but it’s best to leave the default.

After you enter the command, the tool will ask you to continue. Import Y and Windows File Recovery will scan your drive for deleted data. If the file is found, the application will attempt to recover it. If successful, Windows File Recovery will place it in the folder Recovery_ <ngày và giờ> on the recovery drive. After the restore is finished, the application will ask you “Do you want to see the recovered files”. Select Y.

You will then see the Recovery folder and the RecoveryLog.txt file on the recovery drive. Find deleted files that have been recovered. If it doesn’t appear in the Recovery folder, you have several options. You can try again and this time specify the filename to which to include the path, as in winfr C: D: /n xyz.docx. This option will search all data in your entire hard drive.

Another option is to use repserentative character in the command, as in winfr C: D: /n * .docx to find them all .docx files. After scanning is complete, you open the file RecoveryLog.txtlook for files Word that you are in need of recovery or not.

If you still cannot find or recover your data, you may want to try Segment mode. To do this, add the parameter /r into the command. Eg: winfr C: D: /r /n \Users\<username>\Documents\xyz.docx

One last option is Signature mode. The limitation here is that only certain file types are supported for recovery. To see the supported file types, enter the command winfr /#at the command prompt. To use this mode, add a /x enter the command and /y to specify the file type to recover. For example, if you want to restore a compressed .zip file, type the command: winfr C: D: /x /y:ZIP

There are other tricks you can do with Windows File Recovery. For more information and details on how to use the various apps and switches, refer to the Microsoft support page on how to recover lost data with Windows 10.