windows file recovery

Jari Melanen 80 Reputation points
2026-06-08T09:00:46.8866667+00:00

in windows file recovery the mode is clear but what I write to ---/n filters---

in windows file recovery the Then pick a mode:

  • NTFS, deleted recently → use Regular mode.
  • NTFS, deleted a while ago / after format / corrupted disk → use Extensive mode.
  • FAT or exFAT (typical for USB/SD) → Extensive mode only.
  1. Run Windows File Recovery from Command Prompt Open Windows File Recovery (it opens a Command Prompt) and use:
          winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/n filters]
    
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage
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AI answer

2026-06-08T09:01:27.1833333+00:00

In the /n part of the command, specify what files or folders to search for: file name, path, type (extension), or wildcards.

General syntax:

winfr source-drive: destination-drive: /regular|/extensive /n <filter1> [/n <filter2> ...]

Examples of what to put after /n:

  1. Specific file name
winfr C: E: /regular /n myfile.docx

Searches C: for myfile.docx and recovers it to E:.

  1. All files of a type (by extension)
winfr C: E: /extensive /n *.docx
winfr D: F: /extensive /n *.jpg

Searches for all .docx or .jpg files.

  1. All files whose names contain some text
winfr C: E: /regular /n *report*

Finds files with report anywhere in the name (for example sales_report_Q1.xlsx).

  1. A specific folder path
winfr C: E: /extensive /n \Users\<username>\Documents\

Scans only that folder and its contents. Note the leading backslash and trailing backslash.

  1. Multiple filters
winfr C: E: /extensive /n *.docx /n *.xlsx

Searches for both Word and Excel files.

Tips from the tool’s syntax rules:

  1. Always use drive letters with colons for source and destination (for example C: and E:) and keep a space between them.
  2. When specifying just a folder (with /n), end it with a backslash, for example /n \MyFolder\.
  3. If the file or folder name contains spaces, wrap the whole filter in quotes:
       winfr C: E: /regular /n "\Users\<username>\Documents\Quarterly Statement.docx"
    

If no /n is used, the tool tries to recover all possible files for that mode, which can produce many results. Using /n narrows the search to only what is needed.


References:

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