How to Recover Deleted Desktop Icons and Folders in Windows
Microsoft has baked in some safety nets like the Recycle Bin and warning prompts, but sometimes those shortcuts or folders are just gone, especially if you hit Shift + Del or empty the Recycle Bin. It’s worth trying these methods first: they’re straightforward and often enough to bring back what’s missing. But if not, there are a few tricks up your sleeve to try.
Check the Recycle Bin
This is the obvious one and usually the first thing to try. When you delete a file or folder normally, it’s just moved to the Recycle Bin. If you didn’t do something hinky like Shift + Del or empty it, your data might be lurking there, just waiting to be restored. On some setups, files end up in the Recycle Bin even after a mistake, so don’t skip this step.
- Open the Recycle Bin by clicking its icon or searching for it in the Start menu.
- Use the search box if your desktop shortcut isn’t jumping out at you.
- Right-click the item you want to recover, then pick Restore. It should pop right back onto your desktop or wherever it was originally located.
Keep in mind, on some machines, the Recycle Bin doesn’t update immediately, or certain folders are excluded—so don’t get discouraged if it’s not there right away. Sometimes a quick Restart or refresh helps.
Create a New Shortcut or Folder
If you deleted a shortcut to that important app or file, it’s kind of weird, but it’s easy enough to rebuild it. Just find the original program or file somewhere else on your drive, right-click it, and send it straight to your desktop.
- Locate the original app or file. Usually, it’s in “C:\Program Files” or a similar directory.
- Right-click the program’s main executable or document, choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
- Voila, a new icon appears on your desktop. That’s not the same as restoring the deleted one, but it’s quick if you remember where to find the source.
This also works for folders — just find the folder in File Explorer, right-click, and send it to the desktop. Easy enough, but you’ll have to redo the customization if you had specific icons or labels before.
Use File History to Get Back Deleted Files
If you’ve set up File History before stumbling into this mess, you’re in luck. It’s a handy backup feature that can restore previous versions of files or folders. Not everything is automatic, so unless you turned it on earlier, you might not have this option. Still, it’s worth checking because sometimes it works even after accidental deletions.
- Head to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
- Make sure File History is turned on and set to back up your Desktop folder.
- Navigate to your desktop folder, right-click, and select Restore previous versions.
- Pick the version before your accidental deletion and hit Restore.
Be aware that if you never enabled File History, this won’t help — but for those who did, it’s a lifesaver. Sometimes, you can find older versions of your desktop items still floating around.
Try Data Recovery Software
When all else fails, there are third-party tools meant for quick data recovery. Many are free or offer trial versions, and some can even find stuff that’s been cleaned out of the Recycle Bin. Windows File Recovery, from the Microsoft Store, is a decent free option, but be aware you’ll need a bit of command-line knowledge to get it working.
- Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store. It’s a command-line tool, so expect some tinkering.
- Open PowerShell as an administrator.
- Type something like:
winfr C: D: /n *.file extensionto scan and recover specific files. For example, for Word docs, use:winfr C: E: /n *.docx - Once it finishes, check your destination drive for recovered files. Sometimes, it’s a bit of trial and error to get it right, but it’s worth a shot if the data is critical.
On one setup it worked surprisingly well, on another not so much, but I guess that’s just Windows and its wild recovery methods for you.
Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary sometimes, but persistence pays off.