Microsoft recovery

Stop using the PC immediately and recover the files separately from the Microsoft account, because continued use can overwrite deleted data and make recovery impossible.^1^

1. Protect the deleted data

• Do not install applications, download files, run updates, or reset/reinstall Windows on the affected drive.
• If possible, use another computer to obtain a USB or external drive.
• The recovery destination must be a different physical drive from the drive containing the deleted files.

Shutting down normally does not itself establish what deleted the files, and restoring the Microsoft account will not necessarily restore files that were stored only on the PC.

2. Check existing recovery locations first

1. Open Recycle Bin.
2. Select the missing files or folders and choose Restore.
3. In File Explorer, also inspect:
   • C:\Users\<your-name>\Desktop
   • C:\Users\<your-name>\Documents
   • C:\Users\<your-name>\Pictures
   • Any OneDrive folder still present under the user profile
   • Other profiles under C:\Users

If File History had previously been enabled:

1. Open File Explorer and locate the folder that formerly contained the files.
2. Right-click that folder and select Restore previous versions.
3. Select a version dated before the deletion.
4. Use Open in File History to inspect it.
5. Prefer Restore to... and select an external drive, avoiding replacement of current files. Restoring directly over the current version cannot be undone.^2^

3. Recover files from the local disk

If the files are absent from Recycle Bin and backups, use Windows File Recovery, Microsoft’s command-line recovery application. It supports local internal, external, and USB storage, but not cloud storage or network shares.^1^

1. Connect an external drive—for example, E:.
2. Install Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store.
3. Open it and approve the administrator prompt.
4. For recently deleted files from an NTFS C: drive, try Regular mode:

winfr C: E: /regular /n \Users\<username>\Documents\

For documents of specific types:

winfr C: E: /regular /n *.docx /n *.pdf /n *.xlsx

5. Enter Y when prompted. Results are placed in a timestamped recovery folder on E:.
6. If Regular mode finds nothing, try Extensive mode:

winfr C: E: /extensive /n \Users\<username>\Documents\

Replace <username> with the applicable folder name shown under C:\Users. Do not use C: as both source and destination, and do not create a new partition on the affected disk.^1^

If the files are irreplaceable and these steps fail, power the PC off and consider a professional data-recovery service. Recovery is not guaranteed, particularly if deleted space has already been overwritten.

4. Handle the Microsoft account separately

If the account was manually closed and remains within its selected 30- or 60-day grace period:

1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com.
2. Sign in with the closed account.
3. Receive and enter the security code.
4. The account should reopen, including eligible profiles and content associated with it.^3^

The account cannot be reopened if:

• Its 30- or 60-day reopening period has expired; or
• It was automatically deleted after more than two years without a sign-in.^3^

If sign-in reports “We couldn't find an account with that username” or “account doesn't exist,” use Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper from the sign-in support page.^4^ This message can require account-support investigation rather than proving by itself what happened.

For support escalation, open Microsoft Support, enter the account problem, select Get Help, and then Contact Support if offered. Support agents cannot send password-reset links or directly access and change account details.^5^

References

1. Windows File Recovery | Microsoft Support
2. Backup and restore with File History | Microsoft Support
3. Reopen your Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
4. I can't sign in to my Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
5. Check products or services where you used your Microsoft account | Microsoft Support