Windows File Recovery is a free tool from Microsoft that searches your hard drive for deleted files and lets you restore them

When you delete a file in Windows, the file itself usually stays on your hard drive — Windows just marks that space as available for new data. Windows File Recovery scans your drive to find those deleted files before new data overwrites them, then copies them back to a location you choose. It works on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and you read it free from the Microsoft Store.

The catch is timing. The sooner you run it after deletion, the better your chances. If you've been using your computer normally since the deletion — installing programs, downloading files, streaming video — the deleted data may already be overwritten and unrecoverable. But if you deleted something yesterday and haven't done much since, Windows File Recovery often finds it.

This tool is command-line only, which means you type commands rather than click buttons. That sounds harder than it is. The commands are short, and this guide walks you through the exact steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows File Recovery works best when run within hours or days of deletion, before new files overwrite the deleted data on your drive.
  • You read it free from the Microsoft Store, then open Command Prompt and type a single command to start the scan.
  • The tool has three scan modes: Fast (checks the file system only), Regular (checks the file system and some deleted data), and Extensive (checks everything, takes hours).
  • Deleted files are restored to a folder you specify, not back to their original location, so you choose where they go.
  • If the file you're looking for is on an external drive or USB stick, you can scan that too — just plug it in first.

read and Install Windows File Recovery

Open the Microsoft Store on your computer. Search for "Windows File Recovery" and click the result from Microsoft Corporation. Click the blue "Get" button, then "Install". The read is about 50 MB and takes a few minutes on a normal internet connection.

Once installed, you won't see a program icon on your desktop. Instead, you'll open Command Prompt to run it. On Windows 10 or 11, right-click the Start button, then click "Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)". If you see "Windows Terminal" instead, that works too — they all run the same commands.

Choose Your Scan Mode Before You Start

Windows File Recovery has three scan modes, and picking the right one saves time. Fast mode checks only the file system — the index Windows keeps of where files are. It's quick (usually under a minute) but only finds files deleted recently. Use this first if you deleted something in the last few hours.

Regular mode checks the file system and then scans deleted data sectors. It takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your drive size and finds most files deleted in the last few days. This is the middle ground and works for most situations.

Extensive mode scans every sector of your drive looking for file signatures — the digital markers that identify a file type. It can take several hours on a large drive but finds files deleted weeks ago. Use this only if Fast and Regular modes found nothing and you really need the file back.

Run the Scan with the Correct Command

In Command Prompt, type the command that matches your situation. Replace C: with the drive letter you're scanning (usually C: for your main drive) and replace E:\Recovery with the folder where you want recovered files saved. That folder must be on a different drive than the one you're scanning — you can't save recovered files to the same drive you're scanning from.

For a Fast scan, type this and press Enter:

winfr C: E:\Recovery /fast

For a Regular scan, type:

winfr C: E:\Recovery /regular

For an Extensive scan, type:

winfr C: E:\Recovery /extensive

The tool will ask you to confirm that you want to scan drive C:. Type Y and press Enter. The scan will start and show a progress bar. Do not restart your computer or unplug anything while it's running.

Find Your Recovered Files

When the scan finishes, Windows File Recovery creates a folder structure in your recovery location (E:\Recovery in the examples above). Open File Explorer and navigate to that folder. You'll see subfolders organized by file type — Documents, Pictures, Videos, and so on — plus a folder called "Other" for files the tool couldn't identify.

Look through these folders for the files you deleted. File names may be missing or changed to numbers, especially for older deletions, so you may need to open files to confirm you found the right one. Once you find what you need, move or copy it to wherever you want to keep it permanently.

If the scan found thousands of files and you're looking for something specific, use File Explorer's search box. Search by file name if you remember it, or by file type (like .docx for Word documents or .jpg for photos).

What to Do If the Scan Found Nothing

If Fast mode found nothing, try Regular mode next. If Regular found nothing, try Extensive — it's slower but more thorough. If all three modes return no results, the deleted data has likely been overwritten by new files, and recovery is not possible.

To avoid this in the future, stop using your computer when ready after accidental deletion. The less you use it, the less chance new data overwrites what you deleted. If you realize you've deleted something important, shut down your computer and run Windows File Recovery before doing anything else.

For files you delete regularly or files that are critical to your work, a backup strategy is more reliable than recovery. Backup tools like File History (built into Windows) or cloud storage like OneDrive run automatically and don't depend on how quickly you notice a deletion.

Scanning External Drives and USB Sticks

Windows File Recovery works on external hard drives and USB sticks the same way. Plug in the external drive, note its drive letter (you'll see it in File Explorer), then use that letter in your command. For example, if your external drive is F: and you want to save recovered files to E:\Recovery, type:

winfr F: E:\Recovery /regular

The recovery location (E:\Recovery) must still be on a different physical drive than the one you're scanning. You can't scan F: and save to F: at the same time. If you're recovering from a USB stick, save the results to your main drive or an external hard drive instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover files from a drive that won't start up?

Not with Windows File Recovery running normally. If your drive won't start, you need to connect it to another computer as an external drive first. Plug it in via USB, wait for it to show up in File Explorer, then run Windows File Recovery against that drive letter.

Will Windows File Recovery find files I deleted months ago?

Possibly, but it depends on how much you've used your computer since. If you've installed large programs, downloaded files, or streamed video, new data has likely overwritten the deleted files. Extensive mode has the best chance, but there's no may provide. The sooner you run it after deletion, the better.

What if I don't know the drive letter of my external drive?

Open File Explorer and look at the left sidebar. Your external drive will be listed with its name and drive letter next to it — something like "External Drive (F:)". Use that letter in your command.

Can I recover files from a formatted drive?

Yes. Formatting marks the drive as empty but usually doesn't erase the actual files. Windows File Recovery can often recover files from a formatted drive, especially if you run it soon after formatting. Use Extensive mode for the best results.

Do I need to close other programs before running Windows File Recovery?

Close any programs that might be writing to the drive you're scanning — like cloud sync tools, backup software, or antivirus scans. These can overwrite deleted data while the recovery is running. You don't need to close everything, just programs that actively use your hard drive.