A file recovery program is crucial, primarily if you use the computer to create and store vital information. This is because deleted file recovery is a big challenge today as many businesses deal with majorly run online data. Without a program that can recover files when deleted by accident or lost mysteriously from your device, you will never recover from the shock of losing vital data.
However, Microsoft (News - Alert) introduced a Windows File Recovery tool in Windows 10 version 2004, making it possible for users to recover files just like some of the best recovery apps. So, if you are still asking whether Windows 10 has a File Recovery Program, the answer is yes. However, the version of Windows 10 you are using must be the desired version, as we will show you in this Windows File Recovery tool overview. But first:
Do You Know Windows File Recovery Tool?
When you accidentally lose documents on Windows 10, many people think of how to restore the data. This is because many of the files we deal with are those that we may not want to get rid of quickly.
In many cases, you will rush to the Recycle Bin first. It is the easiest way to recover your deleted files; you simply need to select the lost files from there and restore them to their original locations.
If you are not sure how to recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin, below is the process:
- Open Recycle Bin
- Scroll to locate the file you need to recover and right-click on it
- Choose “Restore” to send the file to its original location on your computer
This method will, however, only help you if you have not permanently deleted the files. Otherwise, if you backed up the files before deletion, you can also restore them from the backup. However, if you cannot find the files in the Recycle Bin and have not been backed up before deletion, you will need data recovery software services. This is where the Windows File Recovery tool becomes vital.
Windows File Recovery
Windows File Recovery is a command-line Windows utility built by Microsoft. You can use it to restore deleted files from storage devices such as hard drives, memory cards, and USB flash drives.
The tool uses the “winfr” command to undelete and recover files in Windows 10. During the winter and summer 2020 release, Microsoft released two modes of the utility. Besides, it is free and available for use in Windows 10 20H1 or later versions.
It is crucial to note that you can't use Windows File Recovery to recover files from cloud storage and network file shares. Also, since it is only available in Windows 20H1 and later versions, you will need to ensure that the OS you are using supports it. You can quickly tell which version of Windows 10 you are using by going to “Start,” followed by “Settings,” “System,” and finally, “About.”
Further, it is essential to note that this tool is not preinstalled on Windows 10 computers. You must download the program from Microsoft Store before installing it on your Windows 10 computer. The following section illustrates how to download and install Windows File Recovery.
How To Download And Install Windows File Recovery
Microsoft runs a digital distribution platform, Microsoft Store, where you can safely download and install the program on your computer. Although you can still get this program from other digital stores, they are not authentic and may introduce malware or viruses into your computer during download.
Follow the steps 1 to 5 outlined below to complete the process:
Step 1: Search for Microsoft Store using the Windows search and open it
Step 2: Tap the search icon available on the top-right side of the Microsoft Store and enter “windows file recovery” to search for it
Step 3: Click on the “Windows File Recovery” from your search results
Step 4: Tap on the “Get: button to download
Step 5: Now click “Install” to install the tool
Now that you have installed the tool on your computer, you can run it anytime by tapping the “Launch” button. If you will not use it immediately, close the Microsoft Store to exit.
How Do I Use Windows File Recovery?
Step 1: Check If The Version Of Your OS Supports Windows File Recovery
If your Windows is 10 20H1 or later, it can support Windows File Recovery. However, you can upgrade your Windows to a supported version before using this tool or use trusted data recovery software such as Disk Drill for Windows 10 to recover lost files.
Step 2: Decide The Mode To Use
As we mentioned, Windows File Recovery has two modes: Winter 2020 and Summer 2020. The latest release has two recovery modes, while the first has two. The Winter 2020 release is easier to use than the Summer 2020 release. Choose the mode to use and the file formats.
Step 3: Recover Lost Files In Windows 10
Launch Windows File Recovery and click “Yes” if you receive “User Account Control.” Once this is done, use the command “winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]. Remember that when you perform data recovery, the source disk must be different from the destination disk.
