How to Use Windows File Recovery on Windows 11/10?

What Is Windows File Recovery?

Windows File Recovery is a command-line file recovery app from Microsoft. It is designed to recover files deleted from local storage when you cannot restore them from the Recycle Bin or an existing backup.

You can use Windows File Recovery with:

• Internal HDDs and SSDs
• External hard drives
• USB flash drives
• Other supported local storage devices

Unlike many data recovery programs, Windows File Recovery does not provide a traditional graphical interface. You need to enter winfr commands to tell the tool where to scan, where to save recovered files, and what files to look for.

What Should You Do Before Using Windows File Recovery?

Before starting Windows File Recovery, stop using the drive where your files were deleted as much as possible. Deleted file data may remain on the drive until new data overwrites it.

You should also prepare a different drive for the recovered files. Windows File Recovery does not allow the source and destination to be the same partition.

For example:

• Lost files: C:
• Save recovered files: E:

If your PC only has a C: partition, connect an external drive or USB drive before starting recovery.

When Should You Use Windows File Recovery?

Windows File Recovery is worth trying when files were lost because of logical data loss, such as:

• You accidentally deleted a file.
• You emptied the Recycle Bin.
• You formatted a drive.
• Files disappeared from a corrupted but still accessible drive.
• You lost files from an external drive or USB device.

The sooner you stop using the affected drive and start recovery, the better the chance that the deleted data has not been overwritten.

When Should You Not Use Windows File Recovery?

Windows File Recovery is not suitable for every recovery situation.

Do not rely on it when the storage device has obvious signs of physical failure, such as unusual clicking noises, severe physical damage, or repeated disconnections. Software cannot repair physically damaged storage hardware.

Windows File Recovery also does not support direct recovery from cloud storage or network file shares.

If a lost OneDrive file was stored locally on your PC, local recovery may be relevant to that local copy. However, an online-only OneDrive file is stored in the cloud rather than taking up local disk space, so Windows File Recovery is not the right tool for recovering that cloud copy.

How Do You Install and Use Windows File Recovery?

Let's move on to see how to use Windows File Recovery for recovering your lost or deleted files.

Step 1. Install and Open Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery is available from the Microsoft Store.

• Open "Microsoft Store" on your PC.

• Search for "Windows File Recovery."

  

• Select the Windows File Recovery app from Microsoft and install it.

• Press the Windows key and search for "Windows File Recovery."

• Open the app and select "Yes" when asked to allow it to make changes to your device.

Windows File Recovery will open in a Command Prompt window rather than a standard graphical interface.

Step 2. Identify the Source and Destination Drives

Before entering a command, identify two drives:

• "Source drive:" The drive where your lost files were originally stored.
• "Destination drive:" The drive where you want to save recovered files.

For example, if you deleted a Word document from C: and want to recover it to an external E: drive:

Source: C:
Destination: E:

The source and destination cannot be the same partition. If you are not sure about the drive letters, open "File Explorer" and select "This PC" to check them.

Step 3. Choose Regular or Extensive Mode

Windows File Recovery provides two basic recovery modes: Regular and Extensive. Choose the mode based on the file system and how the files were lost:

If you recently deleted a file from a healthy NTFS drive, start with Regular mode.

If Regular mode cannot find the file, try Extensive mode. Extensive mode performs a more thorough search and is also the mode to use with FAT and exFAT drives.

To check a drive's file system, right-click the drive in File Explorer and select "Properties."

Step 4. Understand and Enter the Winfr Command

The basic Windows File Recovery command uses this format:

For example: winfr C: E: /regular /n *.docx

This command searches C: for deleted .docx files and saves recovered files to E:.

Here is what each part means:

Change the drive letters, mode, file name, or filter to match your recovery situation.

Step 5. Start the Recovery

After entering the command:

• Press Enter to check that the source and destination are correct.

  

• Type Y when asked whether you want to continue.

• Wait for Windows File Recovery to scan the source drive and recover matching files.

Recovery time depends on the drive size and the recovery mode you use. Extensive scans may take longer because they search the drive more thoroughly. You can press Ctrl + C if you need to stop the recovery process.

Step 6. Find and Check the Recovered Files

Windows File Recovery automatically creates a recovery folder on the destination drive.

The folder is named in a format similar to: Recovery_<date and time>.

For example, if E: was your destination drive, open E: in File Explorer and look for the Recovery folder.

Open the folder and check whether your wanted files were recovered. Depending on the condition of the lost data, some recovered files may not retain all of their original file information.

Windows File Recovery Command Examples for Different Situations

Here are some Windows File Recovery command examples for common recovery situations, including specific files, entire folders, file types, and older or formatted files.

Example 1: Recover a Recently Deleted File

If you recently deleted a specific file from an NTFS drive, use Regular mode and specify the file path.

For example:

Replace <username> with your Windows user name and report.docx with the name of the file you want to recover.

This command searches for the specified document on C: and saves the recovered result to E:.

Example 2: Recover an Entire Folder

You can also tell Windows File Recovery to search an entire folder.

For example, to recover files from the Documents folder:

Replace <username> with your Windows user name.

Remember to include the backslash \ at the end of the folder path.

Example 3: Recover Files by Type or Partial Name

If you do not remember the exact file name, use /n with a file extension or wildcard.

To search for PDF and Word files:

To search for files containing "invoice" in the file name:

This is useful when you remember the file type or part of the file name but not its exact location.

Example 4: Recover Older Files or Files from a Formatted Drive

Use Extensive mode when the file was deleted a while ago or the drive has been formatted or corrupted.

For example:

This command performs an Extensive scan of C: for JPG files and saves the recovered files to E:.

For photos stored in a specific folder, you can narrow the search. For example:

A narrower filter can help you focus the recovery on the files you actually need.

What Should You Do If Windows File Recovery Does Not Work?

If Windows File Recovery does not work, first check the command, source and destination drives, recovery mode, and available destination space.

A failed or empty recovery does not always mean the files are permanently gone. You may need to correct the command or try a more thorough recovery mode.

How do you fix the same physical partition error?

Windows File Recovery requires the source and destination to be different partitions.

For example, this setup will not work:

Source: C:
Destination: C:

Instead, use another partition or connect an external storage device:

Source: C:
Destination: E:

Then run the recovery command again.

What should you do if regular mode finds nothing?

If Regular mode does not find your deleted files, first check the file path, file name, extension, and /n filter in your command. You can then try Extensive mode.

For example, change: winfr C: E: /regular /n *.docx to winfr C: E: /extensive /n *.docx.

Extensive mode is more appropriate when files were deleted some time ago, the disk was formatted or corrupted, or Regular mode returns no useful results.

Avoid downloading files, installing programs, or saving new data to the source drive while trying to recover deleted files.

What if the scan takes too long or the destination drive is full?

A Windows File Recovery scan can take time, especially when you use Extensive mode on a large drive.

Instead of searching for everything, use /n to narrow the scan to the files you need. You can filter by:

• File name
• Folder path
• File extension
• Partial file name

Also check the free space on the destination drive before recovery. If it does not have enough space, choose another destination drive with more available storage.

What if the drive is missing, making Noises, or physically damaged?

Stop repeatedly scanning a drive if it is making unusual noises, disconnecting repeatedly, or showing signs of physical damage.

Windows File Recovery is designed for logical file recovery from storage that Windows can access. It cannot repair damaged storage hardware.

For important data on a physically failing drive, professional data recovery service may be safer than repeatedly running software scans.

How to Recover Files Without Windows File Recovery Commands?

Windows File Recovery is free, but it requires you to choose the correct recovery mode and enter winfr commands manually. This can be inconvenient if you do not know the original file path, want to browse scan results during the process, or Regular and Extensive modes cannot find the files you need.

In these situations, you can use a graphical data recovery program such as 4DDiG Data Recovery, which can recover from SSDs, HDDs, USB drives, SD cards and other storage devices.

Instead of choosing recovery modes, entering file paths, and building commands manually, you can scan the drive through a visual interface, browse and filter detected files, preview them before recovery, and select exactly what you want to restore.

Windows File Recovery vs 4DDiG Data Recovery

The main difference between the two tools is the recovery workflow.

Windows File Recovery is a good first option if you want a free Microsoft utility and are comfortable using command-line tools.

4DDiG is more suitable if you want to search through detected files visually, preview files before recovery, or avoid writing different Winfr commands for different recovery situations.

How to Recover Lost or Deleted Files with 4DDiG File Recovery:

• Open 4DDiG and select the drive or partition where the deleted files were originally stored. Unlike Windows File Recovery, you simply need to select the drive and start the scan.

  

• While the scan is running, browse the detected files or use the "File Type" filter and "Search" feature to narrow the results. This is especially useful if you do not remember the exact file path or name required for a Windows File Recovery command.

  

• When you find the files you need, select and preview them to check their contents before recovery. Once confirmed, click "Recover".

  

• Choose a different drive or another safe location for the recovered files. Click "Save Now" to complete the recovery.

  

FAQs About Windows File Recovery

Does Windows File Recovery work on Windows 11 and Windows 10?

Yes. Windows File Recovery works on Windows 11 and Windows 10 and is available through the Microsoft Store. Note that Windows 10 reached the end of support on October 14, 2025.

Can Windows File Recovery recover permanently deleted files?

Yes, Windows File Recovery can attempt to recover permanently deleted files that are no longer in the Recycle Bin. Recovery is possible as long as the deleted data has not been overwritten, but success is not guaranteed.

Can Windows File Recovery recover files from SSDs?

Yes, but SSD recovery can be more difficult because of TRIM. If TRIM has already cleared the deleted data, Windows File Recovery may not be able to recover it. Stop using the SSD as much as possible and attempt recovery quickly.

Can Windows File Recovery recover files from OneDrive or a network drive?

No. Windows File Recovery does not support cloud storage or network file shares. For OneDrive, use OneDrive's recovery options for online-only files; Windows File Recovery may only be relevant if the deleted file had a local copy stored on the PC.

What do older Segment and Signature mode tutorials mean?

Segment and Signature appear in older Windows File Recovery instructions, while Microsoft's current basic recovery guidance focuses on Regular and Extensive modes. Some advanced switches, including /segment, are still documented, so check Microsoft's current command reference before following older commands.

Conclusion

Windows File Recovery can be useful when deleted files are no longer in the Recycle Bin, especially if you are comfortable using command-line tools. Start recovery as soon as possible to reduce the risk of deleted data being overwritten.

If winfr does not find your files or you prefer a graphical recovery tool, you can try 4DDiG File Recovery instead. It offers a simpler recovery process without requiring manual commands.