Losing an important folder on your Windows 10 or 11 computer can be frustrating, especially if it contains crucial files or documents. Fortunately, Windows 10 and 11 come with built-in features that can help you restore deleted folders. In this article, we'll show you how to restore a folder on Windows 10 and 11.

How to restore a folder

Method 1: Use the Recycle Bin

When you delete a folder on your Windows computer, it doesn't immediately disappear. Instead, it goes to the Recycle Bin, a special folder where all deleted files and folders are temporarily stored. If you haven't emptied your Recycle Bin, you can easily restore your deleted folder by following these steps:

Step 1: Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Step 2: Look for the folder you want to restore. You can use the search bar in the top-right corner to find it quickly.

Step 3: Right-click on the folder and select "Restore." This will restore the folder to its original location on your computer.

If you can't find the folder you're looking for in the Recycle Bin, or if you've already emptied the Recycle Bin, you can still recover your deleted folder using the next method.

Method 2: Use File History

File History is a built-in backup feature in Windows 10 and 11 that automatically backs up your files and folders to an external drive or network location. If you've enabled File History and have been regularly backing up your files, you can easily restore your deleted folder by following these steps:

Step 1: Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the deleted folder was located.

Step 2: Click on the "History" button in the toolbar. This will open File History.

Step 3: Look for the deleted folder in the list of files and folders. You can use the search bar at the top to find it quickly.

Step 4: Once you've located the deleted folder, select it and click the "Restore" button. This will restore the folder to its original location on your computer.

If you haven't enabled File History on your Windows 10 or 11 computer, it's recommended that you do so to prevent losing important files and folders in the future.

How to recover deleted folder

If the above methods fail to restore your deleted folder, you can use a data recovery tool to scan your computer for deleted files and folders. There are many data recovery tools available, both free and paid, that can help you recover lost data. Here's how to use a data recovery tool to restore your deleted folder:

Step 1: Download and install DiskInternals Partition Recovery on your computer.

Step 2: Launch the data recovery tool and select the drive or partition where the deleted folder was located.

Step 3: Start the scan and wait for the tool to finish scanning for deleted files and folders. This can take some time, depending on the size of your drive.

Step 4: Once the scan is complete, look for the deleted folder in the list of recoverable files and folders.

Step 5: Select the deleted folder and click the "Restore" button. This will restore the folder to a location of your choice on your computer.

Conclusion

Losing a folder on your Windows 10 or 11 computer can be a frustrating experience, but there are several methods you can use to restore it. If you haven't already, it's a good idea to enable File History to automatically back up your files and folders. And if all else fails, you can always use a data recovery tool to scan your computer for deleted files and folders.