Cut, copy and paste are basic but essential functions when it comes to file management. Without these simple commands, moving files from one place to another would be a lot different.
If you cut a file and your computer crashes before you can paste it in a new location, there’s a chance that the file was lost. Don’t worry, there are ways you can get that file back. Below we’re going to cover a few ways you can recover cut files on your Windows computer.
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What Does Cut Do in Windows?
Cut is a command used to move data from one location on your computer to another. Rather than creating a copy, the cut command actually removes the data from its original location and temporarily stores it in the clipboard. The data is then moved to a permanent location when the paste command is used.
If your computer shuts down unexpectedly after you cut something, it will be lost due to the temporary nature of the clipboard. Unless you’re using a clipboard manager that retains cut files, the files will need to be restored from a backup or through the use of data recovery software.
What Is the Difference Between Cut and Delete?
When you cut a file, it’s temporarily moved to the clipboard until you use the paste command to move it to a new location. However, when you delete a file, it either goes to the Recycle Bin or it’s immediately deleted from the system. Once deleted, it will no longer appear in the folder it once was. In terms of function, there’s no way to compare cut vs delete, as each serve a different purpose.
How to Recover Cut Files from Computer
Now that you’re informed on how the cut command functions, let’s take a look at how to recover files lost during cut and paste.
Restore cut files with data recovery software
When you delete a file, the data that made up that file still resides on the drive for a time. The physical location where that data resides is marked as available to the operating system. This means that new data can be saved to that location, overwriting what was there before.
If new data hasn’t overwritten your deleted file, this is our chance to recover cut and paste files. This software is designed to restore deleted data before it’s lost permanently. You can even recover shift deleted files. We recommend Disk Drill because it has powerful recovery capabilities, an easy to use interface, and it has a proven track record of successful recoveries.
In the below test, I lost two images during a cut and paste operation. I’m going to use Disk Drill to recover them. Here’s how to recover cut files from computer:
- Download and install Disk Drill. Once installed, open it.
- Select the drive where the file was stored before deletion. Click Search for lost data. This will begin the scanning process to discover recoverable files.
- When the scan has finished, you can click Review found items to review what Disk Drill has found.
- Select the files you want to recover by ticking their checkbox. When ready, click Recover.
- On the next screen, specify the location you want the files recovered to. Finally, click OK.
- When complete, Disk Drill will present you with a completion screen.
Recover cut files using File History
Windows includes a way to recover deleted or previous file versions using File History. For files that can’t be recovered from the Recycle Bin, File History is the next best thing when it comes to native recovery options. File History creates regular backups of specified files so you can restore them if they’re lost.
In order to use File History, you need a separate drive that can be used for backups. This could be an external drive like a USB, or it can be a second internal drive. Alternatively, you can use a network storage location if you’re using network-attached storage. Once configured, it will periodically back up the specified folders in the background.
File History isn’t enabled by default. If File History wasn’t configured before the file was deleted, this option will not work for you.
- Navigate to the folder that you cut the file from.
- Click on the Home tab at the top of Windows Explorer, then select History.
- Use the left and right navigation buttons to see the various versions of your file. When ready, select the version you want to restore and click the green restore button with an encircling arrow.
- Once restored, the file will be in its original location.
FAQs
To cut a file using your keyboard, select it and press CTRL + X on your keyboard. Navigate to the folder you want to paste the file. When you have the folder open, press CTRL + V on your keyboard to paste.
Cut and paste refers to the action of moving a file from one location to another. For example, if you have a file in Folder A but want to move it to Folder B, you would Cut it from Folder A then paste it in Folder B.
If you had File History configured to back up your files, you can use it to restore your files.
- Open the folder that contained the file before it was lost.
- Click the Home tab, then click History.
- Use the right and left buttons to find a version of the file you want to restore.
- When ready, click on the file you want to restore, then click the green restore button to complete recovery.
If File History wasn’t configured, try using data recovery software instead.
Conclusion
Losing a file in any instance is frustrating and always happens at the most inopportune times. Thankfully, using the methods outlined in this article, you can recover your lost cut and paste files in a few clicks of your mouse.
