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Many Windows users have accidentally deleted files using the Shift + Delete keyboard shortcut. Unlike sending files to the Recycle Bin, this action makes them seem permanently gone. However, this is not the truth. With the right tools and approaches, you still have a chance to recover them. In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical solutions to recover shift deleted files in Windows 11/10, ranging from built-in recovery options to professional data recovery software. Let’s dive in!
Does Shift Delete Permanently Deleted Files?
It depends. In fact, files deleted using the Shift + Delete shortcut do not go to the Recycle Bin as expected. On a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), Windows simply marks the space occupied by the files as available. The data itself usually remains on the disk until it is overwritten, making recovery possible if you act quickly.
On a solid-state drive (SSD), the situation is different. With the falling cost of SSDs in recent years, many users now prefer SSDs when building computers. Most modern SSDs have the TRIM feature enabled, which immediately erases the space of deleted files to maintain performance. Once TRIM has run, it is very difficult to recover shift deleted files in Windows 11/10.
Whether you have an HDD or SSD, there are still ways to try to recover shift deleted files, which we will cover in the next section.
How to Recover Shift Deleted Files in Windows 10/11?
Option A: Recover Shift Deleted Files with 4DDiG
Are you looking for a free and easy way to recover files deleted with Shift + Delete? Give Tenorshare 4DDiG a try. It is a powerful data recovery tool that can retrieve images, videos, documents, and many other types of files from various storage devices.
Whether files were permanently deleted or lost due to formatting, system crashes, or virus attacks, 4DDiG can locate them as long as they haven’t been overwritten. In addition, 4DDiG features an intuitive, user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate than many alternative tools.
Here’s an example of how to recover shift deleted files using Tenorshare 4DDiG:
Step 1: Start by downloading 4DDiG’s free version on your PC. Then, install and launch the Shift Delete recovery tool. Select the drive containing the target files, and click the Scan button.
Step 2: During the scan, 4DDiG allows you to preview recoverable files to confirm they are intact. You can also use the built-in filters and search options to quickly locate the files you need.
Step 3:Once the scan is complete, select the files you need and click the Recover button in the bottom-right corner. To avoid overwriting data, 4DDiG provides cloud storage options, such as Google Drive, as a recovery location.
Option B: Recover Shift Deleted Files via Windows File Recovery
Windows File Recovery is a free tool provided by Microsoft that can help recover files deleted with Shift + Delete. The app uses a command-line interface, which may look intimidating, but is simple once you follow the syntax. Here’s a simplified guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Go to the Microsoft Store, search for Windows File Recovery, and click Install. Once installed, run the Shift Delete recovery tool from the Start menu.
Step 2: You can use the following basic command format to recover files:
winfr <source drive> <destination drive> /n <filter>
- Source drive – the drive where the files were originally deleted.
- Destination drive – the drive where recovered files will be saved. It must be different from the source drive.
- Filter – optional; use it to specify file types.
For example, if you want to recover PDF files deleted from drive D, you can use:
winfr D: E: /n *.pdf
Step 3: Press Enter after typing your command. Then, confirm the operation by typing Y when prompted.
Option C: Recover Shift Deleted Files from Previous Versions
If you prefer not to use third-party tools, Windows 10/11 also provides built-in recovery options that can help retrieve shift deleted files, provided certain features were enabled beforehand. One of these options is Previous Versions, which allows you to restore earlier versions of files or folders. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Right-click on the folder that contained the deleted files and pick Properties.
Step 2: Go to the Previous Versions tab. Here you will see a list of available snapshots of that folder created by Windows.
Step 3: Select the version you want and then click Restore.
Option D: Recover Shift Deleted Files by Backup and Restore
Still wondering how to recover shift deleted files? Another built-in approach is Windows’ Backup and Restore tool. It allows you to back up not only personal files but also the entire system through a system image.
If you’ve used this feature to create backups, follow the steps below to retrieve lost files:
Step 1: Type Control Panel into the taskbar search box, and then press Enter.
Step 2: Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7) under System and Security.
Step 3: Proceed by clicking Restore my files. After that, browse or search for the files you need.
Step 4: Click Next and choose a safe location to save the target files. Finally, hit Restore.
How to Prevent Accidental Data Loss in the Future?
While recovering shift deleted files is often possible, the best strategy is to avoid losing them in the first place. A few simple habits and precautions can significantly reduce the risk of permanent data loss.
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- Keep Regular Backups: The most reliable way to protect your files is to back them up regularly. You can use an external hard drive, a dedicated backup solution, or cloud storage services.
- Maintain Your Hardware: Proper maintenance—like keeping your computer clean, ensuring adequate airflow, and monitoring temperatures—can prevent many hardware-related data losses.
- Keep Your Antivirus Active: Malware can delete or corrupt important files in seconds. Disabling antivirus software for convenience or speed exposes your system to unnecessary risks.
- Understand Your SSD’s TRIM Feature: TRIM helps maintain SSD performance by automatically erasing deleted data, but it can also make recovery impossible if a file is deleted. Be aware of this feature and consider your backup strategy accordingly.
Conclusion
This page answers the questions of “Does shift delete permanently deleted files?” and “How to recover shift deleted files in Windows 10/11?” Third-party recovery software like 4DDiG offer powerful solutions for locating permanently deleted data. At the same time, Windows’ built-in features, such as Previous Versions and Backup and Restore, provide convenient options if these tools were set up in advance. Remember, the key to successful recovery is acting quickly and avoiding writing new data to the affected drive.