Are deleted items really deleted?

When you delete data from your hard drive, is it really gone? Well, yes and no, depending on where it is deleted. Basically, the answer is a little complicated, but here’s the short version: You should assume that data is never truly erased unless the device has undergone a full wipe.

To understand why this is the case, we need to look at how data is generally “purged” (and those quotes are intentional) from devices. In general, when you delete a file from your computer (and later empty it from the trash), that doesn’t always mean that the file is actually gone. This means that the file reference is gone. When you delete a file, the reference to that file in the master file table (MFT) is removed, which is much faster than actually deleting the data. It tells the system that “Hey, this part of the drive is available to store data” so that the system can eventually overwrite that data, but it doesn’t actually erase it.

Can you recover deleted files from years ago?

This is a very complicated question to answer. Yes, there are ways you can recover your deleted data from years ago but only if you are lucky. Most of the time it is nearly impossible to even recover a deleted file which was deleted 1-2 months ago. So recovering a file from years ago depends on many things.

If your deleted data was stored in Windows or Mac backup, it will be very easy to recover the files you lost years ago. You can simply download the backup and browse for the files. Backing up can be a lifesaver and is the easiest way to protect your important files.

Recommendation:

You should regularly delete areas of free space on your hard drives to prevent identity theft and to fully protect your privacy!

Method 1: Complete recovery with Disk Drill

This method allows you to recover deleted files using Disk Drill recovery software. In addition to Windows systems, this method will help you recover emptied trash on a Mac. The good news for people who use Disk Drill is that you have many features and options including quick scan and file preview before the files can be recovered. Below is the step-by-step process.

Download, install and launch the software. Select the storage where you have lost your files.