How to Use Windows File Recovery in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Recovering lost files on Windows 11 with Windows File Recovery isn’t exactly straightforward, especially if you’re not used to mucking around in the command line. It’s one of those tools that can feel a bit behind the scenes — because, of course, Windows made it a bit tricky. But if you’ve accidentally deleted something important or your drive got wiped during a crash, it’s worth giving this a crack. Basically, you open a CMD window, install the app, tell it where to look, and let it do its thing. If all goes well, your files will show up in a recovery folder. Just don’t expect a shiny, graphical interface — this is mainly command-line magic, which might seem a bit daunting at first but works a treat once you get the hang of it.

How to Use Windows File Recovery on Windows 11

Here’s the rundown. If your files are MIA and you’re stuck, this walk-through should help out. The key is knowing which commands to run, selecting the right drive, and choosing the best mode. It’s not foolproof, but on one setup, it worked a treat — on another, I had to make a few tweaks. Still, it’s better than losing everything to a system crash or a simple delete.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Type “cmd” into the Windows search bar.
Right-click on Command Prompt.
Select Run as administrator.

Yeah, this is a must. The recovery tool needs admin rights to access the drive properly. Without it, you might get some access denied errors or stuff simply won’t work. Sometimes, on certain setups, it fails the first time but then works after a quick reboot or reopening with admin privileges. It’s a bit of a pain, but that’s Windows for ya.

Install Windows File Recovery

Head over to the Microsoft Store.
Search for “Windows File Recovery”.
Click Get or Install.

This isn’t bundled with Windows by default, so you’ll need to grab it. The app itself is pretty light on data, so it shouldn’t take too long — if you’re on a slow internet, just be patient.

Identify the Drive

Open Disk Management: right-click the Start menu and select Disk Management.
Find the drive letter you want to recover from (like C:, D:, or E:).
Make sure you know which one had your files. Sometimes it’s a bit tricky, especially if drives are hidden or encrypted.

Getting the right drive is crucial. Pick the wrong one, and you might end up with no files or recovering the wrong stuff. Accuracy is key here.

Choose the Recovery Mode

Pick between Segment, Regular, or Extensive.

If your files were recently deleted, Regular mode usually does the trick. For older or more stubborn deletions, Extensive digs deeper but takes a fair bit longer. Segment sits somewhere in between — a bit weird, but handy if you want something faster than extensive but more thorough than regular. The mode you pick affects how deeply it scans and your chances of recovery, so choose based on how much time you can afford to wait.

Run the Recovery Command

winfr C: D: /n *.docx /o C:\Recovery\Docs

This is the standard format. winfr is the command, C: is the source drive, D: is where you want your recovered files saved, /n specifies file types or folders, and /o is your output folder. You might need to tweak it depending on your situation.

For example, if you want to recover all PNG images from D:, you’d run:

winfr D: C:\Recovered /n *.png

Double-check each command before you press Enter. Some people have run into issues because they forgot to specify an output folder or used the wrong drive letters. On one setup, it took a while, but eventually, their files turned up in the folder they specified.

Tips for Using Windows File Recovery on Windows 11

Keep the PC plugged in — losing power halfway through recovery can be a nightmare.
Always recover files to a different drive — overwriting the original might wipe out whatever’s left.
If the command line seems a bit intimidating, test with smaller file types first, like *.txt or *.png.
Make sure Windows and your drivers are up to date — sometimes recovery relies on them.
Backups are the best defence, but when disaster strikes, this tool can save your butt.

FAQs

What is Windows File Recovery?

It’s a command-line tool from Microsoft designed to help find and restore deleted files on Windows 11. Think of it as a digital rescue kit when things go sideways.

Can I recover files deleted ages ago?

Kinda depends. If the space hasn’t been overwritten yet, yes. If you’ve been loading new data, your chances drop quickly. So act fast.

Is it safe to run?

Mostly, yeah. Just avoid saving recovered files onto the same drive — overwriting what’s left can make things worse. Always choose a different drive to be safe.

What if no files turn up?

Try switching to a different mode or tweaking your parameters. Sometimes a different scan depth gets better results.

How long does it take?

Depends on your drive size, file types, and scan mode. Extensive scans can take hours if you’re dealing with a big drive or heaps of data. Patience is key.

Summary

Open CMD as admin.
Download and install Windows File Recovery from the Store.
Identify the drive with Disk Management.
Select a recovery mode.
Run the right command with proper parameters.

Wrap-up

Getting files back with Windows File Recovery isn’t exactly a breeze, but it’s doable. It’s a bit technical, fair dinkum, but if you follow the commands (and get your drive letters and paths right), you’ve got a decent shot at recovering what’s lost. Just remember, act quick and save to a different drive — that’s the secret. Regular backups make life easier, but if you’re in a bind, this tool can come through. Hope this helps someone out there avoid a world of pain. Good luck, and don’t forget to hit that recover button!