With the advancement in technology, data loss has become a common threat in today’s digital world. You may encounter issues like sudden deletion of files and folders on your Windows 11 device. Such instances usually occur due to accidental deletion, power outages, virus or malware attacks, and many other such reasons.
Luckily, there are several tools and techniques available that you can use to find lost or missing files on Windows 11 devices. In this guide, we’ll explore effective methods to restore your precious data, focusing on the utilization of Windows data recovery software.
Why do Files Go Missing on Windows 11?
Files can go missing on Windows 11 devices due to multiple reasons, ranging from accidental deletion to software or hardware failures. Here are some prominent reasons for data loss on Windows 11:
- Accidental Deletion: Human error is one of the main reasons for missing files on any device. You may have unintentionally deleted files or folders while performing other tasks on your device storage.
- Formatting Errors: Formatting a drive or partition leads to the deletion of all its contents, including files and folders stored on it. To avoid such instances, you should create backup of important data stored on your drive before formatting it.
- System Crashes: Sudden system crashes or power failures while performing file operations, like saving or transferring files, can cause data loss. If the file system is not properly updated before the crash, it may corrupt or lead to the deletion of files.
- Malware or Virus Attacks: Malicious software, like viruses or malware, can infect your device and files stored in it. Some malware may encrypt files and demand ransom for their release, while others may simply delete or move files without any prior knowledge.
- User Permissions or Settings: Sometimes, files may appear to be missing due to incorrect user permissions or settings. If you don’t have the necessary permissions to access certain files or folders, it will disappear or become inaccessible on your device.
Quick Methods to Find Lost or Missing Files on Windows 11
Now that you are familiar with the reasons for the missing files, it’s time to apply adequate recovery workarounds to find lost or missing files on Windows 11. Let’s discuss these recovery methods one by one in detail:
Method 01: Check the Recent Items Folder
If you are sure that you haven’t deleted that file from your device but it’s just not appearing where it was supposed to be, then the first place you should check is the Recent Files section. For this:
- Launch This PC on your Windows 11 device. Enter the path %AppData%MicrosoftWindowsRecent in the address bar and press the Enter key to open the Recent Items folder.
- Now, sort the files that appear on your screen with the Date of modification. For this, right-click on space and select Sort by > Date modified.
- Scroll down to check your files according to the date. You can search for the file by typing the filename in the search box in the top right corner.
Method 02: Find Missing Files Using File History Backup
Another method to find lost or missing files on Windows 11 devices is by using the in-built File History backup utility. If you have enabled File History backup on your device, it will automatically create backup of all files stored on your device and restore them, if data loss occurs. Here’s how you can find missing files using File History:
- Type File History in the search box of your desktop and click on the “Restore your files with File History” option.
- Now, open the folder where your deleted file was earlier stored. You can use the left and right navigation buttons to view the different backup versions.
- Select the files you need to restore and click the green Restore
Method 03: Restore Lost Files with Previous Version
Another backup alternative to find lost or missing files on Windows 11 devices is by using the Previous Version backup utility. Windows 11/10 comes with this backup option to help you back up all your important data and save it to internal or external storage devices. If you have enabled this option, follow the below steps to find disappeared missing files:
- Open the folder where your lost or missing files were earlier stored.
- Now, click three dots and select the Properties
- Go to the Previous Versions tab, select the backup version you need to restore and click Open.
- Select the files you need to restore and save them at another location on your Windows 11 device.
Method 04: Find Lost or Missing Files on Windows 11 Using Data Recovery Software
If your files are still deleted and you have no backup, you can try using a Windows data recovery software to find lost files on Windows 11. One such amazing tool is Stellar Data Recovery Standard, which supports the recovery of lost or missing files from any device in a few simple clicks. You can easily find missing files, like photos, videos, documents, etc. using this amazing tool in no time.
- The software supports the recovery of files from both internal and external storage devices.
- It provides an easy and user-friendly interface which allows beginners or non-tech-savvy users to find their lost or missing files.
- Allows you to preview the recoverable files before saving them to your device
- The software is available in multiple versions; you can check their features and select the one that best suits your requirements.
Here’s how to find lost or missing files on Windows 11 Using the Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool:
Step 1: Install Stellar Data Recovery Standard software on your Windows computer. Launch the software and from the homepage, select the type of file you need to restore and click Next.
Step 2: Now, from the Recover From window, choose the storage location where the deleted file was earlier stored and tap Scan.
Step 3: Once the scanning is completed, preview the recoverable files and choose the files you need to restore. Click the Recover button to save selected files at the desired storage location.
Conclusion
Having sudden data loss or missing files on Windows 11 can be a stressful experience, but it’s not the end of the road. With the above-mentioned methods, you can easily find lost or missing files on Windows 11 devices. Just go through the aforementioned steps and best practices and enhance your chances of successful data recovery and minimize the impact of future data loss incidents. Remember, prevention is key, so maintain regular backups and avoid saving data on your device when you encounter such issues to prevent data overwriting.