How to find lost/delated file just 3 hrs before

Anilkumar Chopde 0 Reputation points
2026-09-16T08:57:19.8766667+00:00

Around 12.30 noon I was about to save file from desktop to pen drive, I found that these are not available on l

aptop as well as on pen drive

Windows for home | Other | Recovery and backup
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  1. DaveM121 932.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-16T09:31:11.7133333+00:00

    1

    What process were you using to copy the files, was that inside File Explorer and did you use the option to Move the files to the USB or Copy the files, and was that file operation interrupted or cancelled during the operation?

    2

    If you use OneDrive to sync your files online, log into OneDrive in a web browser (https://onedrive.live.com/) to check if the missing files are available there to download.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-16T08:57:39.82+00:00

    Try this in order:

    1. Search the whole laptop first.
      • Right-click Start > File Explorer.
      • In the left pane, select This PC.
      • In the Search This PC box at the top right, type the file name.
      • If the exact name is not found, search by file type such as *.doc, *.xls, or *.mp3.
    2. Make sure hidden files are visible.
      • Right-click Start > Settings > System > Advanced.
      • Expand File Explorer.
      • Turn Show hidden and system files to On.
      • Search again.
    3. Check the laptop Recycle Bin.
      • If the file was deleted locally, it may still be there.
      • Open Recycle Bin, select the file, right-click, and choose Restore.
    4. If the file was stored in OneDrive, check OneDrive on the web.
      • Sign in to https://www.onedrive.com.
      • Use Search everything at the top.
      • Search by filename and also by descriptions, tags, dates, or places.
    5. Check the OneDrive Recycle bin.
      • On the left side of the OneDrive website, select Recycle bin.
      • If the file is there, select it and choose Restore.
    6. Check local storage and the pen drive manually.
      • Use File Explorer to search the laptop and the USB drive.
      • Also check the computer's Recycle Bin.
    7. If the file was deleted from local storage and is not in Recycle Bin, use Windows File Recovery.
      • This is a command-line app from the Microsoft Store for deleted files on local storage devices, including internal drives, external drives, and USB devices.
      • It does not support cloud storage or network shares.
      • Important: to improve recovery chances, minimize or avoid using the computer because new activity can overwrite deleted file data.
    8. If the file was in OneDrive and disappeared recently, restore OneDrive.
      • On the top right of the OneDrive website, select Options > Restore your OneDrive.
      • This can undo file and folder actions from the last 30 days, if supported by the organization.

    If the file is not found in search, Recycle Bin, OneDrive search, or OneDrive Recycle bin, recovery is usually not possible unless it can still be recovered from local storage with Windows File Recovery.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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