Have you ever experienced the fear of losing your work after hours of typing on your phone or computer? You press the wrong key and suddenly, something you’ve had for a long time is accidentally deleted.
Whether it’s an email, a text message, a document, or something else, it can be frustrating to see all your hard work disappear in an instant.
But don’t panic just yet! Even if you accidentally delete something, it doesn’t mean it’s gone forever.
There are tips you can use to retrieve your lost files, so you can relax and avoid starting over.
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1. Restore the closed tab
If you accidentally close a tab that you wanted to keep open, you can restore it in any browser. Press Command + Shift + T on a Mac or Ctrl+Shift+T on a Windows computer to bring back the most recently closed tab.
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2. Undo the deletion
If you made a mistake while typing on your computer, you can use the Undo function to reverse the deletion. On a Windows computer, press Ctrl+Z, and on a Mac, press Command + Z to undo the deletion and restore the deleted content.
MORE: DID YOU ACCIDENTALLY DELETE AN iPHONE TEXT MESSAGE?
Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to save time on your computer. ()
3. Use a file recovery tool
There are many free data recovery software available that can help you retrieve old files that you thought were lost forever. These software options can recover various types of files, including documents, videos, photos, music, and more.
Find my top recommendations for data recovery software for both Mac and PC here.
4. Restore files from online services
If you use online services like Google Docs, Dropbox, or Microsoft, they usually have steps you can take to recover your deleted files. These services often offer backup options that allow you to restore previous versions of your documents.
Here are the best ways to save and restore files from these platforms.
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Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox offer backup features to restore previous versions of your files. ()
5. Check your trash or recycle bin
Every computer has a trash or recycle bin where deleted files are stored temporarily. These files remain in the bin for about 30 days before they are permanently deleted. If you accidentally deleted something, you can restore it directly from the bin. Here’s how:
If you have a Mac:
- Click on the trash bin icon at the bottom of your screen
- Select the file you want to restore and drag it to the desired location (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, etc.)
If you have a Windows computer:
- Click on the recycle bin icon at the bottom of your screen
- Right-click on the file you want to restore
- Select Restore
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Recovering deleted messages is possible for both iPhone and Android users. ()
6. Recover deleted messages
Now let’s talk about retrieving accidentally deleted messages on mobile devices. Sometimes we delete messages by mistake, but they are not gone forever. Here’s how to restore old messages on iPhone or Android:
On iPhone:
- Open the Messages app
- Tap on Filters in the top left corner
- Scroll down and tap on Recently Deleted
- Select the message you want to recover and tap on Recover at the bottom right
- Tap Recover Message to confirm
On Android:
The steps may vary depending on your Android device and the messaging app you use.
- Open the Messages app
- Tap on the three vertical dots in the top right corner
- Select Trash or Bin (depending on your device)
- Long press on the message you want to recover
- Select Restore
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7. Recover deleted voicemail
Both iPhones and Androids have ways to recover accidentally deleted voicemails. Here are some tips to do it:
On iPhone:
- Open the Phone app
- Tap on the Voicemail tab at the bottom
- Scroll down and tap on Deleted Messages
- Tap on the voicemail you want to recover, then press the red trash can icon
- Your deleted voicemail will be restored to your voicemail inbox
On Android:
The settings may vary depending on your Android device manufacturer.
- Open the Phone app
- Tap on the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner
- Tap Trash
- Tap on the Voicemail section
- Tap Deleted Messages
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8. Seek technical support
If all else fails, you can contact the support team for your device. They have experts who can help you recover your lost files.
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Kurt’s top tip
Now you know various tech tips to recover accidentally deleted files and data. From restoring closed tabs to using file recovery software and retrieving deleted messages and voicemails, these strategies can alleviate the stress of accidental deletions.
Have you ever lost something important and felt frustrated because you couldn’t find it, such as an email, text message, or document? How did it make you feel, and how did you handle it? Let us know by contacting us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more tech and security tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter at Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
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