How-To Guides: Recovering a Deleted File from the Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is identified by the little trash can icon on your desktop. When you delete a file, it is not completely deleted from your computer but is sent to the Recycle Bin.

The Recycle Bin is like your office trash can.  Deleted files remain in the trash can until it's emptied. If you accidentally delete a file (or folder or shortcut), you can retrieve it from the Recycle Bin.

To retrieve a file from the Recycle Bin,

• Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon. You will see all the documents, files, and shortcuts that have been deleted.
• Right-click on the file you want to retrieve
• Select Restore.

The file will be returned to its original location. You can also drag the file to wherever you want to place it.

Files remain in the Recycle Bin until you empty it by right-clicking on the icon and choosing Empty Recycle Bin. You can also use the Disk Cleanup utility to clean your hard drive and empty the Recycle Bin.

Caution: Files deleted from floppy or CD drives or network drives are not usually stored in the Recycle Bin so you may not be able to restore them once deleted.

 

 

 

[Posted on November 7, 2005]