Accidentally deleting important files can feel like a disaster—especially when they’re permanently removed from the Recycle Bin. The good news? You may still be able to recover them using a free tool from Microsoft called Windows File Recovery.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to install and use it step by step.

Tutorial

Step 1: Install Windows File Recovery

Microsoft provides a free recovery tool available in the Microsoft Store.

1. Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC
2. Search for “Windows File Recovery”
3. Click Install

Once installed, you’ll run it through the Command Prompt.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt

To use the tool:

1. Press Start
2. Type cmd
3. Right-click Command Prompt
4. Select Run as administrator

Step 3: Understand the Command Syntax

The basic command format is:

winfr source-drive: destination-folder [/mode] [/switches]

What this means:

•  source-drive: → The drive where the file was deleted from (e.g., C:)
• destination-folder: → A different drive where recovered files will be saved (e.g., D:\Recovery)
• /mode → Recovery mode (Regular or Extensive)
• /switches → Filters and options

Important: The destination must be different from the source drive to avoid overwriting data.

Step 4: Choose the Right Recovery Mode

There are two main modes:

1. Regular Mode
Best for recently deleted files on NTFS drives.

Example:

winfr C: D:\Recovery /regular

2. Extensive Mode
Best for older deletions, formatted drives, or corrupted disks.

Example:

winfr C: D:\Recovery /extensive

Step 5: Use Filters to Find Specific Files

You can narrow down your search using switches.

Recover a specific file type (e.g., PDF):

winfr C: D:\Recovery /extensive /n *.pdf

Recover a specific file name:

winfr C: D:\Recovery /regular /n report.docx

Recover files from a specific folder:

winfr C: D:\Recovery /regular /n \Users\YourName\Documents\

Step 6: Wait for the Recovery Process

• The tool will scan your drive
• Recovery time depends on drive size and mode used
• Recovered files will be saved in the destination folder

Step 7: Check Your Recovered Files

After the scan completes:

1. Open the destination folder
2. Look for a folder named Recovery_…
3. Browse through recovered files

Important Tips

• Act quickly: The sooner you try recovery, the higher your chances
• Avoid using the drive where files were deleted
• Use Extensive mode if Regular doesn’t find your files
• File names and structure may not always be preserved

Final Thoughts

Recovering permanently deleted files isn’t always guaranteed but with the Windows File Recovery tool, you have a powerful and free option built by Microsoft.

If you follow the steps carefully and act fast, you stand a good chance of getting your files back.