Finding a file you have lost
Practice searching for a missing file and restoring a deleted file that is still in the Recycle Bin.
Your computer can search file names and, for some kinds of file, their contents. It is a useful first check when you do not remember the folder.
Search does not cover every location. Its settings, files stored only in a cloud account, and disconnected drives can all affect what appears. No result does not necessarily mean the file is gone.
Windows search and Spotlight on a Mac both open with a keyboard shortcut.
The commonest mistake is typing too much. Search matches words in the name, so one fragment you are certain about beats a full title you are guessing at.
The folder to check is called the Recycle Bin on Windows, the Trash on a Mac. Files deleted through a file window often go there. If the file is still there, you can usually restore it. Some deletions bypass this folder, so always read a warning about permanent deletion.
Key points
- Search is a useful first check, but its coverage depends on the locations and settings
- One distinctive word beats a full name you are guessing at
- Open file location tells you where it had been hiding all along
- If a deleted file is still in the Recycle Bin or Trash, try Restore or Put Back
- Check cloud accounts, other drives or backups if needed; recovery is not guaranteed
What to remember
- Search is a useful first check when you remember a word but not the folder.
- You restored a practice file from the Recycle Bin. On your own device, first check whether the file is still there.
- These checks cover common places, not every possible location. Also check relevant cloud accounts, other drives and backups. Some files cannot be recovered.
Try this
Think of a file you have not seen for a while and try searching for one word from its name. If it appears, look for Open file location on Windows or Show in Finder on a Mac. If not, try the other checks from this lesson.
Practice: Finding a file you have lost. Your first lesson is free, with no account or card; the rest are part of a Lantern plan. Interactive lessons require JavaScript.