How to Recover Shift Deleted Files on Windows: Best Methods

Updated on: August 10, 2022

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Encountering data loss could potentially leave you at your wits’ end. Whether you permanently lose your data through an accident or conscientiously, there are several ways you can recover shift deleted files in Windows.

Table of Contents

How Does Shift+Delete Combination Work?

Before going ahead to share with you some ways on how you can restore shift deleted files, it’s important to explain how the shift+delete keystroke combination really works.

When you select a file on your Windows PC and hit the delete key, your files are moved to the recycle bin which stores your files temporarily. In contrast, when you delete a file using the shift+delete combination, your files bypass the recycle bin and become inaccessible. This is because Windows removes those files from your storage drive’s index and so your files cannot be displayed.

Shift delete recovery is possible because Windows simply marks the storage area occupied by the file as being available for use by modifying the file table. In essence, your files are still available except that they are not displayed for access.

Best Methods to Recover Shift Deleted Files

There are plenty of ways in recovering shift deleted files as you might already be aware. It’s recommended that in deciding to recover shift deleted files, you must avoid making changes to your drive as that can potentially render your data recovery efforts futile.

Method 1. Disk Drill Data Recovery Software

Disk Drill is one of the most popular and effective data recovery tools on the market which you can use to recover shift deleted files.

Step 1. Download Disk Drill for Windows.

Step 2. Open the downloaded file and install Disk Drill.

Step 3. Launch Disk Drill and click the Search for lost data option next to the storage device from which you want to recover shift deleted files.

Step 4. Wait a few moments until Disk Drill finishes a full scan the storage device.

Step 5. Using the preview feature from Disk Drill, select which files you want to recover and choose your preferred recovery location.

Step 6. Finally, click the Recover to gain access to your lost files.

Unlike many other data recovery apps which promise to do many things but fall short of their primary objective, Disk Drill stands tall. Not only do you get to restore shift deleted files using Disk Drill, but you can also recover data from very complex situations such as drive failure and corruption. You can learn more about Disk Drill and its accompanying features.

Method 2. Restore from a Backup

Backup and Restore was introduced with Windows 7. Although File History is the backup solution in Windows 10, Backup and Restore is still used by many as it’s still a reliable method of backing up files. If you’ve made a backup using the Backup and Restore feature included with Windows, you can restore a copy of every file that was shift deleted straight from the backup.

Step 1. Press Windows Key + S and search Backup settings. Open the first result.

Step 2. Click Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 3. Click Restore my files.

Step 4. Click Browse for files. Search for and select the shift deleted files you want to restore.

Step 5. Click Next.

Step 6. Choose whether you want to restore the files to their original location, or to a specific folder. When done, click Restore.

Method 3. Windows File Recovery Tool

You will need another physical partition to recover the shift deleted files, as Windows File Recovery will not recover to the same partition at the risk of corrupting your data. If you don’t have one, use a USB or external drive.

Step 1. Install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store by clicking Get.

Step 2. Press Windows Key + S and search Windows File Recovery. Open the first result. If prompted to allow permission, click Yes.

Step 3. Enter

winfr C: E:\DataRecovery /regular

Replace C: with the drive you want to recover from, and E:\Data Recovery with where you want the data recovered to. Press Enter. If prompted to continue, press Y to confirm. This command will recover whatever Windows Recovery Tool finds in its scan, including any shift deleted files.

Step 4. When the scan is finished, press Y to view the recovered files.

Method 4. Professional Assistance

Data recovery software works, but there are some cases where it’s not enough to recover your shift deleted files. This doesn’t mean they’re unrecoverable, just that you may not be able to recover them yourself. In instances where your files are too important to lose, you need to enlist the services of a data recovery professional.

Using a professional service does come at a cost, but it’s the only viable option left if you’ve exhausted all others. A data recovery specialist can use industry-grade equipment to inspect your drive and recover its contents. One such service is the Data Recovery Center by Clever Files. Essentially, you create a work order with all the necessary information, send your device in, then wait for recovery to be done and your files returned. Let’s look at the process:

Step 1. Go to the Data Recovery Center and click Start Recovery.

Step 2. Complete the work order with all the necessary information. This will include your information, the level of service, as well as information pertaining to the device and what issues you’re facing.

Step 3. When the form is complete and you’ve reviewed the Terms and Conditions, click Complete my work order.

FAQ

What does shift delete do?

When you press Shift + Delete to delete a file, that file is permanently deleted. It will skip the Recycle Bin, meaning there is no way to recover it immediately unless you have a backup readily available. Windows does this by marking the location where that file was stored as available so that new data can take its place and overwrite it. If you’ve deleted a file using Shift + Delete and need to recover it without a backup, your only option is data recovery software or using a professional data recovery service.

How to recover shift deleted files in Windows?

Since files deleted using Shift + Delete skip the Recycle Bin, they cannot be restored from there. Instead, you will need to restore these deleted files from a backup. If you do not have a backup available, your next best option is using data recovery software to scan and undelete your data. Bear in mind that there is no guarantee that this will work, as it will depend on how long ago the file was deleted and whether or not the data was overwritten. If data recovery software hasn’t worked for you, using a data recovery specialist is your last resort. They are equipped with the knowledge and industry-grade equipment that specializes in this sort of data recovery.

Where do the permanently deleted files go in Windows?

When a file is permanently deleted using Shift + Delete, the data isn’t actually erased from the disk immediately. Instead, that same location where the file was stored is marked as available by the operating system. Eventually, new data will replace the data that was deleted, effectively overwriting it. This is why there is still a window of opportunity for recovery when a file is permanently deleted. Until the data is overwritten, it will remain on the disk but it will no longer be accessible to the operating system unless you use specialized software.

Conclusion

Losing access to your files can be one of the most nerve-racking experiences you can have as an individual. To prevent the hassle of trying different options to recover your lost data, it’s in your best interest that you back up your files in a separate and secure location to make access in the future easy.