- If you’ve deleted a desktop folder, you can try to find it again in the Recycle Bin and restore it.
- In the case of a shortcut, you can find the original file and create a new one.
- If you have File History enabled, you can find a previous version of the deleted file or folder.
- Failing all else, data recovery software like Windows File Recovery can help.
You were a little too hasty in trying to clean your computer’s desktop and accidentally deleted a shortcut or folder that was extremely important. It may seem the end of the world, but the good news is it’s not. This article will show you several ways to recover what you’ve lost, and, in some cases, begin again.
Recover Desktop Icons and Accidentally Deleted Desktop Folders
Microsoft has many measures in place to prevent the loss of data through accidental deletions. The Recycle Bin and pop-up warning messages are two of the more well-known prevention measures. But there are other ways to get your data or icons back below. Let’s get started:
Check the Recycle Bin
Whenever a file or icon is deleted, it’s moved to the Recycle Bin by default. Unless you’ve used the permanent deletion shortcut (Shift + Del), your file should be available. Restoring it is a cinch:
Step 1. Open up your Recycle Bin and find your file. Use the Search Bar in the Explorer window if needed.
Step 2. Once you find your deleted icon or folder, right-click it and choose “Restore” from the context menu.
Step 3. Your folder or icon should then be restored to the desktop.
If the folder you accidentally deleted was synced with OneDrive, then you can also check its Recycle Bin through any browser. You can right-click to restore it in much the same way as on your PC.
Create a New Icon
If your deleted file was a shortcut icon, it’s pretty easy to create a new one. Here’s how:
Step 1. Open up the folder that contains your app in Explorer.
Step 2. Right-click on the executable file of the app.
Step 3. In the context menu, navigate to “Send To” and then “Desktop.”
Step 4. A new shortcut of the .exe will be created on the desktop.
This process can be used on any file, and isn’t restricted to executable files or folders.
File History
If you have File History enabled on your Desktop, you can use this method to potentially restore accidentally deleted folders or icons.
File History is a free backup program for Microsoft included in Windows 10 and 11. You can choose how often your files are backed up (every few minutes or every day on a storage device), so if any files are lost, you’ll have access to previous backup versions. For this to work, you need to have it set up.
Data Recovery Software
There are plenty of third-party options to help you recover lost or accidentally deleted data. Some will require a fee, but others, like Windows File Recovery, are free to download from the Microsoft Store. You’ll also need another drive (external or internal) to restore files to.
Here’s how to use it:
Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.
Step 2. Open the program and you’ll be greeted with a Command Prompt-like screen. Type the following in “winfr [drive where files were deleted]: [drive to copy to]: /n *.[file type].” For example, “winfr C: E: /n *.docx”
Step 3. Press Enter and confirm by typing “y” and “Enter” again.
Step 4. File Recovery will scan your drive and restore all files of that particular format. Once done, you can view them by pressing “y” and “Enter” to see their directory.
