How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos from the Recycle Bin?

In this article, you will learn to recover permanently deleted photos before and after the Recycle Bin is emptied.

Whether your photos are stored on Windows PCs, Mac computers, mobile devices, or external storage devices, they always remain prone to deletion. The deletion can be both intentional and accidental.

If the photos are deleted temporarily, there is a way to get them back instantly. But the question that arises here is that what if the photos are deleted from the Recycle Bin. If you have the same query in mind, this article will give you an answer to photo recovery.

This read presents different methods to recover photos from the Recycle Bin and gives you peace of mind.

Part 1. How to Recover Photos from the Recycle Bin [Before Empty]?

If you use a Windows computer, all photos and files deleted temporarily go to the Recycle Bin folder. It’s the easiest way to get your lost photos back on your computer.

Have you just lost some photos? Didn’t make any recovery attempt yet? All you need to do is follow the two quick methods below.

1. Use the Keyboard Shortcut (CTRL + Z)

Windows computers remember every action you perform. Therefore, you can easily undo recent changes, including photo deletion. Simply, press the CTRL + Z keys on the keyboard to undo your most recent action. Alternatively, you can right-click anywhere in the folder where your photos were lost and choose Undo Delete, as shown below.

Important Note: When you restart your computer, it erases the history of the actions you performed earlier. If this is the case, follow the method below.

2. Check the Recycle Bin

If your photos are deleted, don’t forget to check them in the Recycle Bin. Here is how you can recover deleted photos from the Recycle Bin.

Step 1: Double-click the Recycle Bin icon and search for your lost photos.

Step 2: Right-click the photo you want to get back and click on the Restore option.

Wondering how to recover lost photos on Mac? Well, Mac computers have a special folder similar to the Recycle Bin in Windows PCs. It is known as Trash. Here’s how you can restore pictures from Trash.

1. Click the Trash icon to open the Trash Bin.
2. Find the picture you want to restore.
3. Right-click the desired photo and hit the Put Back option.

Part 2. Is Recovery Possible with the Emptied Recycle Bin?

Has your Recycle Bin emptied accidentally? Wondering whether you can restore photos deleted from the Recycle Bin?

Well, Windows does not have a built-in tool to recover photos deleted from the Trash or Recycle Bin. However, you can easily restore them using other methods, like Windows File History and Cloud Backup.

When photos are deleted permanently, your computer does not erase their data, but makes the space available for other data. It means you can restore permanently deleted photos until they are overwritten by other photos or data files. Now, you have got the answer to the question, “Can you recover photos deleted from the Trash?”.

The section below helps you learn how to recover deleted photos from the Recycle Bin after emptying.

Part 3. 3 Methods to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos from the Recycle Bin [After Empty]

If you are searching for how to recover photos deleted from the Recycle Bin, the methods below will help you get over the line.

Method 1. Restore Photos using the File History

The File History feature in Windows computers helps you restore your lost photos or data files only if it was enabled before you lost them. If the File History backup is enabled on your system, follow the steps below to restore your permanently deleted pictures.

Step 1: Connect an external backup device to your computer. Then, go to Settings, enter Update & Security, and choose Backup.

Step 2: Now, tap More options, as shown below.

Step 3: It’s time to choose the Restore files from a current backup option.

Step 4: Now, search for the backup with your lost pictures, and hit the green-colored Restore button. Alternatively, you can tap on the Settings icon in the upper-right corner and choose Restore to, as shown below.

Method 2. Recover Pictures from Cloud Backup

If you’ve synced your data with Cloud services like Google Drive, it stays safe. If you have synced photos with Google Drive, it will help you restore them even after emptying the Recycle Bin folder. Let’s examine the steps required to recover deleted photos from Google Drive.

Step 1: Log in to your Google account and open Google Drive.

Step 2: Scroll down the left menu and go to Trash. If you can’t find it, go to the Bin.

Step 3: Explore the list of available photos and find the one you want to restore.Step 4: Right-click the picture and hit the Restore button. It will be restored to its original location in Google Drive.

Note: The Trash folder in Google Drive keeps your deleted photos for only 30 days. Ensure to recover them before they are lost forever.

Method 3. Use Reliable Data Recovery Software

Have you tried the methods listed above? Didn’t they help recover photos deleted from the Trash or Recycle Bin? If this is the case, a dependable data recovery tool, like Recoverit – Photo Recovery, will be worth using.

Whether your photos are lost from a computer, USB drive, camera, SD card, or SSD, Recoverit will be your go-to photo recovery partner. It supports more than 1,000 file formats and 2,000 storage devices.

Regardless of how your pictures were lost, this software enables you to get them back in no time. Plus, multi-lingual support makes this photo recovery tool more accessible.

Step 1: Download Recoverit from its official website on your system. Install the tool, open it, and go to Hard Drives and Locations. Choose Recycle Bin under the Quick Access tab.

Step 2: The software will search your deleted photos through an automatic scan.

Step 3: Now, click the Preview button, and if you are satisfied with it, hit Recover.

Part 4. Tips to Avoid Losing Your Photos in the Future

Follow the tips below to protect your photos from loss in the future.

• Always keep a copy of your data (regular backups).
• Arrange a backup power supply while transferring photos from one device to another.
• Activate a trusted anti-virus program.
• Avoid overlocking.
• Use reliable storage devices.

Final Words

You can quickly recover deleted photos from the Recycle Bin, as discussed in this guide. The concern here is, “How to recover photos deleted from Trash or Recycle Bin?”. Though Windows does not offer any built-in tool, you can use a reliable photo recovery tool, like Recoverit, or other methods, including cloud backups or File History.

FAQs

What if my Recycle Bin is emptied?

In this case, your photos are not erased immediately from the hard drive; instead, their space is marked as available for other images or data. Therefore, you can recover them using dedicated tools.

What tools can help me recover photos safely?

Some of the most reliable photo recovery tools include PhotoRec, Recuva, and Recoverit.

How long can I recover deleted photos after deletion? It all depends on how many new files have been written. Generally, you need to recover photos within a few days or weeks.