Find out the answer to the question – “Where do deleted files go?” in this MiniTool post. If you want to get your deleted files back, check the Recycle Bin, use the backups, or try MiniTool Power Data Recovery on Windows; check the Trash, utilize the backups, and apply Stellar Data Recovery for Mac on Mac.
Where Do Deleted Files Go on Windows/Mac
In daily computer use, file deletion is a frequent operation. It can be classified into two types: normal deletion and permanent deletion.
The following section will explain in detail where deleted files go on Windows and Mac in these two scenarios.
Case 1: For Normally Deleted Files
In most cases, files are deleted using the standard method. What happens to the files after this action occurs?
On Win:
When you press the Delete button or right-click and select Delete on Windows, the files don’t disappear permanently.
The system moves the files to the Recycle Bin. It is a special system folder on Windows used to temporarily store deleted files.
The files in the Recycle Bin still occupy disk space. The system only marks them as “deleted”, making them invisible in their original location.
In the Recycle Bin, files retain their original content and structure. You can find and restore them to their original locations at any time.
On Mac:
When you delete files on macOS, they are moved to the Trash. The Trash is a special system folder where deleted files are kept, only in a different location.
You can recover files from the Trash. They will be restored to their original location.
Case 2: For Permanently Deleted Files
Sometimes, to prevent data leaks or for other reasons, you might choose to permanently delete files. In this case, where do permanently deleted files go?
On Win:
On Windows, when you delete files permanently, the system removes the file’s directory entry and marks the disk space as available.
The actual data of the file is not immediately erased, but remains on the disk until new data overwrites that area.
On Mac:
On a Mac, when you perform a permanent deletion, the system also deletes the file’s directory entry and frees up space. However, the file content still temporarily exists on the disk.
The file is only truly unrecoverable after new data is written to and overwrites the existing space.
After understanding where deleted files go, the next section explains how to recover them.
How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows
Here is how to recover deleted files on Windows using the Recycle Bin, backups, and data recovery software.
Solution 1: Restore from the Recycle Bin
For the deleted files on Windows, to restore them, check the Recycle Bin first.
Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin and scroll down the list to locate the target files.
Step 2: Select the files, right-click them, and select Restore.
These files will be restored to their original locations.
If this approach doesn’t work, move on to the next.
Solution 2: Retrieve from the Backups
If you have previously created a system or personal backup, recover permanently deleted files from it. Here are some common backup approaches.
Option 1: Restore with File History
If you have File History enabled, Windows will back up your library files. Therefore, restore files with File History.
Option 2: Perform a system restore
If you have created a system restore point or system image backup, recover your system files by performing a system restore.
Option 3: Recover via cloud backup
If files are synced to the cloud (such as OneDrive), they can be recovered from the cloud’s Recycle Bin or version history, even if they are deleted locally.
Option 4: Retrieve using third-party backup software
If you have used a third-party backup tool, open it and follow the steps to restore deleted files.
If you don’t have a backup, try the data recovery software.
Solution 3: Recover with MiniTool Power Data Recovery
MiniTool Power Data Recovery can help you recover lost or deleted data on Windows.
This software can perform a deep scan of the disk to recover permanently deleted data that has not yet been overwritten.
Furthermore, it can recover almost all file formats, including images, videos, and audio files. This tool is compatible with Windows 11/10/8/8.1.
The free edition of this software gives you free recovery capacity for 1 GB of files.
Here is how to use it to recover your deleted files on Windows:
Step 1: Download and install the software
Click the green button to download and install MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free on your computer.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery FreeClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 2: Choose a scan location
Launch the software. In the main interface, find the target location where your deleted files are stored and click Scan. Here are three modules you can choose from:
- Logical Drives: It lists all the disk partitions, including existing partitions, lost partitions, and unallocated space.
- Devices: It displays all the disks connected to your computer.
- Recover From Specific Location: It allows you to recover data from the Desktop, the Recycle Bin, and a specific folder.
Step 3: Find the target files using Path, Type, Filter, and Search
Wait patiently for the scan process to complete. When it ends, use Path, Type, Filter, and Search to locate the required files.
- Path: Allows you to locate and recover files by disk partition or file path.
- Type: Categorizes scan results by file type (e.g., documents, pictures, videos).
- Filter: Narrows the search by file type, modification date, file size, or file category.
- Search: Supports directly entering the full or partial filename to precisely find the files you want.
Step 4: Preview the file before recovery
The Preview feature allows you to open and view the contents of the files before recovery to confirm if they are the files you need.
Double-click the target file in the scan results list to bring up the preview window.
Step 5: Recover the files to a new and safe location
Check all the wanted files and click Save. There will be a window prompting you to choose a destination for the recovered files. Choose a new and safe location and click OK.
When the Recovery Completed window pops up, check your files.
How to Restore Deleted Files on Mac
This part tells you how to restore deleted files on Mac using the Trash, backup files, or third-party recovery software.
Solution 1: Put Back from the Trash
If you are using a Mac computer, to recover deleted files, the first step should be to check the Trash.
Step 1: Open the Trash and find the needed files.
Step 2: Select and right-click them, and then click Put Back.
The recovered files will be returned to their original destinations.
If this solution fails, proceed with the next option.
Solution 2: Recover from the Backups
Here are some options to recover deleted files from the backups on a Mac.
Option 1: Recover using Time Machine
If you have Time Machine backup enabled and configured beforehand, it automatically and regularly backs up user files. In this case, refer to the official Time Machine support guide to recover your files.
Option 2: Restore with iCloud backup
If files are synced to iCloud Drive, even if deleted locally, they can be recovered from the cloud’s Recycle Bin/Deleted Items.
Option 3: Retrieve via the third-party backup tool
If you have used third-party backup software, use its recovery functions to retrieve deleted files.
If no backup is available, rely on third-party data recovery software.
Solution 3: Restore via Stellar Data Recovery for Mac
Stellar Data Recovery for Mac is a professional choice for recovering files on Mac.
Optimized for Mac’s APFS file system, it also supports HFS, HFS+, exFAT, and NTFS. This ensures stable operation across various disk environments.
The software features a step-by-step interface, making it easy to operate even without technical expertise.
Now, download and install this software on your computer, then launch it.
Data Recovery for MacClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 1: On the What To Recover tab, check Recover Everything or the file type you want to scan and recover, and click Next.
Step 2: On the Recover From tab, select the drive where the deleted files are stored, and then click Scan.
Step 3: This process will take some time. Once it completes, open each path to find the target files.
Step 4: Use the Preview feature to check if these are the files you want to recover.
Step 5: Click Recover and select a new location for the recovered files.
When the recovery process ends, check your files.
Wrapping Things Up
This post answers the question: “Where do deleted files go?”. In addition, it teaches you how to recover deleted files on Win/macOS.
On Windows, check the Recycle Bin, use the backups, and try MiniTool Power Data Recovery; on Mac, check the Trash, utilize the backups, and employ Stellar Data Recovery for Mac.
If you have any questions regarding MiniTool products, contact us through [email protected].
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Chelsea graduated from university with a major in English. She has a strong interest in English writing. It is this passion for writing that led her to become an English editor. Her articles mainly focus on data recovery and other computer industry news. As an energetic and outgoing girl, Chelsea enjoys listening to music, singing, riding bikes, and eating in her spare time.
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