Ever had this and shuddered that you are confronted with deleted files in windows xp and thought how do I go about recovering deleted files.
Mom! I have just deleted all the photos of your wedding. Sorry about that, said little kiddykins all of 6 years old. (They know more about computers than I did at 21). Gone forever! Maybe, or maybe not. Fortunately Windows-XP has provided for these little happenings.
It’s called the recycle bin. Well as long as you are not a regular reader of the posts on my other blog (
Windows-XP slow startup) and followed the wonderful things there to speed up the startup of your PC. Then you may be OK. That’s if the recycle bin has not been cleared out. (Of course that should not be the case as long as kiddykins has not kept quiet about the little slip) and you have since conscientiously cleared it out.
Even then all may not be lost. Even though the file or folder may have been deleted it still remains on your disk until the space is needed for something else. Unfortunately the only way to find out is by using some
third party software. Doesn’t cost a lot but maybe worthwhile if you want to try and recover some precious files.
Anyway back to the Recycle Bin. You may have an icon on your desktop labeled “Recycle Bin” If so double click it. If not right click on the start button (bottom left of the screen) and left click on “explorer”. You will get the file manager screen. Scroll down the box headed “Folders” and you should find the “Recycle Bin” folder somewhere near the bottom. Left click on that and you will get the same screen as if you had clicked on the “Recycle Bin” icon on your desktop.
Now all you have to do is find your files or folders select each one in turn, right click to open another little box where you will see an item “restore” left click it. Hey presto! Your file or folder (with the files in it) are instantly restored.
Mom’s precious files are back kiddy.
Can’t find your file or folder? Sorry it is back to the
third party software hope that helps you out.
