Best Ways to Find Lost or Missing Files on Windows

Has this ever happened to you, when you are trying to access one of your most critical files or a document, and suddenly it’s not even on your computer? 

Well, It is probably one of the most frustrating situations one can encounter. But you know what, there are still some fine ways that can help you find lost or missing files on Windows.

Losing critical files can happen due to a range of reasons, be it some unexpected system crash, data corruption, or manual deletion. And, in this read, I’m going to shed some light on the tips to avoid data loss along with some of the best ways to recover it. 

Let’s start! 

Why Files Go Missing on Windows PC?

We often save our files in an organized manner, but sometimes when data gets increased, it becomes tedious to keep track of all of your crucial documents. 

And, due to the frequent occurrence of malware attacks and system crashes, it often leads to data loss. So, here take a look at some of the most common reasons why these files go missing on Windows PC. 

• Accidental deletion 
• Hidden files
• Data corruption 
• Misplaced files 
• Unexpected system crash
• Malware attacks

Do You Know? 

According to Gartner, by 2025 almost 99% of cloud security failures will be primarily due to human errors.

Step-by-Step Methods to Find Lost or Missing Files

Now that you are aware of all the reasons why files go missing on Windows PC. Here’s your step-by-step guide to recover all of your critical information: 

Method 01: Check the Recent Items Folder

The first and probably the easiest thing you can do is check your recent item’s folder. So, simply open This PC section in the files and navigate to the recent item folder. To help you find the file easily, there are features that allow you to search the file by name or sort it according to the date. 

Method 02: Check the Recycle Bin

If you cannot find your lost or missing file in the recent item, the next place you should try finding it is a recycle bin as it might, get deleted unintentionally. At the recycle bin, the deleted file remains for approximately 30 days, and in that period you can easily restore your missing files. 

So, to restore the missing file, you must navigate to the recycle bin of your desktop and use the search bar to find the exact file you’re looking for. After you find the file, right-click and select the restore button to save it back to its original location. 

Method 03: Check File History Backups

If your file is not even in the system, then you need to check your backup and restore to search for the missing file. Windows OS often provides an in-built file history backup feature that enables the users to restore the previous version of their missing file — just all they need to do is follow the steps given below: 

• Launch the “Setting app” in your system and navigate to “Update & Security”.

  

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• Select “Files Backup” and “More options”, located under “Back up using File History”. 

  

• Now select the option that says “Restore files from a current backup”.

  

   

• Browse through all of the backup files and click on the green button to restore them back to your system. 

Method 04: Use Cloud Backup Services

Apart from the regular built-in feature of Windows, you can also try using a cloud backup service like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. These services will allow you to retrieve all of your missing files. 

Method 05: Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software

If the above-mentioned methods don’t work in your situation you can also try using a third-party Windows data recovery software like Stellar. The tool works best with common data loss scenarios, which include deletion, malware file corruption, or system crashes. 

So, to recover the lost or missing file in your system by using a Stellar recovery system, follow the below-mentioned guidelines:

• Step 1: Download the Stellar Data Recovery Standard Application from the internet and launch it in your system. 
• Step 2: Now navigate to the homepage, select the data type you want to recover, and click Next.

  

   
• Step 3: Now navigate to the Recover from Windows, choose the folder your missing file was previously stored in, and click Scan.

  

   
• Step 4: After the scanning process, your system will reflect the files you can recover. And, you can now click on the Restore button to save it back to your original place.

  

   

Tips to Prevent Future Data Loss on Windows

Preventing data loss is significant for every business and individual, as it can lead to some major consequences. So, here are some of the high-quality tips you need to implement right away to prevent any kind of data loss in the future. 

• Back up your crucial files on Windows 

• Protect your hardware by using a range of solutions such as biometrics protection, installing anti-theft equipment, or using self-hosting services. 

• Educate your employees about data leakage and the risks they may pose. 

• Keep your computers clean and software up to date. 

• Make sure that the sensitive data in the system is encrypted.

• Use a strong and unpredictable password. 

• Make use of antivirus and anti-malware software. 

• Use data loss prevention software, as it often comes with a range of functionality to recover lost data.  

Wrapping Up

Losing critical files from your system puts you in a vulnerable position. Not only does this raise privacy concerns by also eliminates the whole competitive edge you had in the market. This is why implementing a fine data prevention strategy is an indispensable need for any business that wants to stay competitive in the market. 

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