Recovering Deleted Files

Prerequisites 

• Windows computer
• The file was saved in the H: (Desktop, Documents, etc. folders) or O: drives, or on Google Drive
• The file was deleted 2 weeks or less (H: drive), 90 days or less (O: drive), or 30 days ago (Google Drive)

This Article Covers:

• Recovering files deleted from the H: or O: drives
• Recovering files deleted from Google Drive

How to Recover a file deleted from the H: or O: drives

Restore from Recycle Bin

1. The first place to check is the Recycle Bin. Go to your desktop and look for the Recycle Bin icon in the top left.
2. Look for your deleted file. If you see it right-click on it, then choose Restore.

Restore from a Backup Snapshot

If your deleted file isn't in Recycle Bin you can look for it in the backups taken for the H: and O: drives.

1. Locate and open the folder the file was originally stored in.
2. Up in the Home Ribbon click on Properties. 
3. When the properties window opens click on the Previous Versions tab.
4. You'll see a list of dates and times. Highlight the one that is immediately before the time the file was deleted.
5. Click on the Open button. DO NOT click on Restore button or you will lose all of your recently created or edited documents.
6. After clicking the Open button a new File Explorer window will open, showing you the contents of the folder that existed at the selected date and time.
7. Look for your deleted file. When you find it copy it, then paste it into the other File Explorer window containing your current files.

Recovering a File Deleted from Google Drive

Files deleted from Google Drive are stored in the Trash folder for 30 deletes before being permanently deleted. Follow the steps below to recover a file from the Trash folder.

From the Google Drive Website

1. Click on Trash on the left. 
2. Look for the file you want to recover and right-click on it.
3. Choose the Restore option. The file will be removed from the Trash folder and put back in its original folder.