How to recover permanently deleted photos from laptop

SDE Dev

Have you ever deleted an important photo, video, or document by mistake and later realized it was important? Most of use think that once a file is deleted, it is gone forever.

But the truth is , in many cases, deleted files can be recovered.

In this article, we’ll understand in simple words and in-depth what happens when you delete a file, and how you can bring it back.

1. What Actually Happens When You Delete a File?

  • When you press Delete, the file usually goes to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac/Phone).

  • If you delete it from there too (Permanent Delete), the system does not immediately erase the file data.

  • Instead, only the index pointer (the file’s address) is removed from the file system.

Think of it like this: A book page still exists in the library, but its entry has been removed from the index. You can’t find it normally, but it’s still there.

This is why file recovery is possible until new data overwrites the old one.

2. Why is File Recovery Possible?

  • HDD (Hard Disk Drives): Data blocks remain intact until new files overwrite them. Recovery chances are usually high.

  • SSD (Solid State Drives): If TRIM is enabled, the operating system quickly wipes free blocks, making recovery harder.

  • Phone Storage (Flash Memory): Similar to SSDs, recovery chances reduce faster because memory cells are reused quickly.

So, the sooner you try to recover, the better your chances.

3. How to Recover Deleted Files?

(a) Restore from Recycle Bin or Trash

If the file was simply deleted:

  1. Open Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac/Phone).

  2. Look for your deleted file.

  3. Right-click → Restore.

This works only if the file wasn’t permanently deleted.

(b) Use File Recovery Software (For Permanent Delete)

If your file is permanently deleted, you’ll need a recovery tool. Some of the best options are:

Example with Recuva (Windows):

  1. Download and install Recuva.

  2. Open it → Select the type of file (Photo, Video, Document, etc.).

  3. Choose the location where the file was deleted from (e.g., Documents folder, USB drive, or the whole hard drive).

  4. Click Scan.

  5. Recuva will show you a list of recoverable files (Green = excellent chance, Yellow = partly recoverable, Red = damaged).

  6. Select the file and click Recover.

  7. Always save the recovered file to a different drive to avoid overwriting.

(c) Recovery on Phones

For smartphones, it depends on the storage:

  • Android: You can try apps like DiskDigger, Dr.Fone, or connect the phone to a PC and scan using recovery software.

  • iPhone: If you use iCloud or iTunes backup, you can restore files easily. Otherwise, recovery chances are low due to iOS restrictions.

4. Important Tips for Better Recovery

  • Stop using the drive immediately after accidental deletion. Every new file written reduces recovery chances.

  • Don’t install recovery software on the same drive where the file was deleted. Use another drive.

  • Act quickly : the longer you wait, the more likely data will be overwritten.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q) Can Old Files (Months/Years Ago) Be Recovered?

Yes, sometimes but the chances reduce with time:

  • On HDD, even old data can be partly recovered. Sometimes, you may get corrupted images (half visible, half damaged).

  • On SSD/Phones, older data is usually overwritten faster.