However, the file remains intact until the HDD space it occupies gets overwritten. File Explorer in Windows shows the space a deleted file occupied on a hard drive as freely available. When you’ve erased a file on a hard disk drive, the OS only initially removes the pointer reference for it. Thus, that’s an obvious first place to look to recover deleted files from. However, you can still recover deleted files that aren’t lying in the Recycle Bin.

Most users are probably aware that ‘deleted’ files can end up in Windows’ Recycle Bin. When you delete files, they’re not always completely erased. Windows 10’s Storage Sense utility, which automatically erase files, might can also erase some downloaded files users need to retain. Users can erase an image files without even noticing how. Some users might empty the Recycle Bin before realizing it includes deleted files they need.

Many users ask the gurus at Microsoft if there’s any way they can retrieve files that have been deleted. You might be surprised how often users post on Microsoft’s support forum about how they can recover accidentally deleted files.

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