How to Recover Items Deleted from Trash on PC or Mac

This wikiHow teaches you how to recover deleted files from the Windows Recycle Bin or the macOS Trash.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Windows

  1. Image titled Recover Items Deleted from Trash on PC or Mac Step 1
    1
    Open the Recycle Bin. It’s a recycling basket icon typically found on the desktop.
    • If it’s not on the desktop, click the magnifying glass or circle icon next to the Start menu, type recycle into to the search bar, then click Recycle Bin.
  2. Image titled Recover Items Deleted from Trash on PC or Mac Step 2
    2
    Select the file(s) you want to recover.
    • If it’s just one file, click it once to select it.
    • To select more than one file, hold Ctrl as you click each file, or click the mouse and drag a box around the files.
    • To select all files, press Ctrl+A.
  3. Image titled Recover Items Deleted from Trash on PC or Mac Step 3
    3
    Right-click the selected file(s). A context menu will appear.
  4. Image titled Recover Items Deleted from Trash on PC or Mac Step 4
    4
    Click Restore. The selected file(s) will be restored to the original location.

Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
macOS

  1. Image titled Recover Items Deleted from Trash on PC or Mac Step 5
    1
    Open the Trash on your Mac. You’ll usually find the trash icon on the Dock (which is typically at the bottom of the screen).
  2. Image titled Recover Items Deleted from Trash on PC or Mac Step 6
    2
    Select the file(s) you want to recover.
    • If it’s just one file, click it once to select it.
    • To select more than one file, hold ⌘ Command as you click each file, or click the mouse and drag a box around the files.
    • To select all files, press ⌘ Command+A.
  3. Image titled Recover Items Deleted from Trash on PC or Mac Step 7
    3
    Click the File menu. It’s in the menu bar at the top-left corner of the screen.
  4. Image titled Recover Items Deleted from Trash on PC or Mac Step 8
    4
    Click Put Back. It’s near the bottom of the menu. This restores the selected file(s) to the original location.

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About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
Tech Specialist
This article was written by Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 2,506 times.
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Co-authors: 1
Updated: April 16, 2018
Views: 2,506
Categories: Basic Computer Skills