It’s quite normal to delete or move newly downloaded files. Most users have mistakenly wiped or deleted downloaded files, resulting in the loss of the whole download folder from your Windows or Mac systems. Follow this comprehensive article to find out how to recover deleted download files and swiftly restore the disappeared downloads folder with absolute ease.
How Do Most Users Lose Downloaded Files?
The most prevalent reasons are as follows:
- Unintentional deletion of the files.
- Deleting multiple files at once.
- Accidentally deleted the wrong file.
- A virus or Malware attack might also be the reason why you have lost the download folder.
Due to one or more of the above reasons, you might no longer have files or any attachments downloaded from the internet available on your System or smartphone.
This Guide will cover the process of recovering deleted files from the Download Folder on Windows and Mac computers.
Table of Contents:
- Recover Missing downloads on Windows PC:
1.1 - How to Find the Downloaded Files on Windows Desktop and Laptop?
1.2 - How to Recover Deleted or Missing Download files on Windows?
- Recover deleted downloaded files from Mac
2.1 - Where can you find the recently downloaded files on Macbook or iMac?
2.2 - How to retrieve Missing Download Files on Mac?
Methods to Recover Deleted Download Files or Missing Downloads Folders on Windows:
How to Find Recently Downloaded Files on Windows 10 and other versions?
The Downloads folder is where the downloaded files such as music, movies, apps, or games get stored by default.
Here are 2 ways you can access the downloads folder and check if your downloaded files still exist in it:
- You can follow the path to find and view the recently downloaded files - “C:\Users\username\Downloads.”
- You can access the download folder by launching file explorer, clicking on This PC in the left pane, and clicking on Downloads.
How to Recover Deleted Files from Downloads Folder?
Deleted file recovery refers to the process of recovering deleted files from the drive or folder where they were earlier saved. Mentioned here are the fool-proof methods that are tried and tested by tech experts and users and are proven to recover files that were deleted from the Downloads folder from any version of Windows.
Method 1: Redownload the same Files from the Internet:
Probably the most basic way to recover deleted downloaded files is by downloading them again from the Web. You may be aware of what file you have downloaded and from where. Hopefully, you can find the same file and redownload it. If you are not sure from where you have downloaded a particular. You can browse through the search history of your web browser. If you are unable to locate the files, then you can try the following methods.
Method 2: Recover Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin:
The easiest answer to questions like “how to retrieve deleted downloads on pc?” is by finding them in the Recycle Bin of your Windows computer.
1: Click on the Recycle Bin icon on the main screen of your computer.
2: You can manually select the files you want to recover or you can also press Ctrl+A to (select all).
3: Right-click on the screen and from the drop-down menu click on the Restore button.
You will find the restored files in the same location where they were earlier saved.
Note: If you have recently deleted files from the Recycle Bin of your Windows desktop or laptop. Then do follow this article to find out how to recover permanently deleted files from Recycle Bin.
Method 3: Restore Deleted Download Files From Backup:
The reason why we repeatedly ask our readers to always take a backup of important data is that backed-up data can easily be restored and can be used in case of data loss.
If you have taken backup on any external storage device or used features like File History or Previous Versions. Then you can use them to recover your backed-up data.
Method 4: Recover Deleted Downloads Folder or lost files using an advanced File Recovery Software:
Use Remo Recover, a sophisticated tool that is proven to recover important files or folders from any scenario. This software is built with powerful algorithms that thoroughly scan the folder or the drive where the downloaded files were deleted or lost. The search algorithm has been designed to identify and retrieve more than 300+ types of files effortlessly. The application has a very intuitive and user-friendly interface that doesn’t demand any special technical skills.
You can now download the trial version without paying anything. Download the tool now and start recovering your favorite images or video files with just a few simple clicks!!!
How to Recover Download files or Downloads Folder on Windows?
Step 1: Download and Install Remo Recover on your Windows system.
Step 2: Launch the application and click on the Folder option and select the Downloads folder, click on Scan.
Step 3: The application will begin scanning the Selected folder and will show you a glimpse of the recovered data.
Step 4: Preview the folder and files recovered using the Preview option. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can save the recovered data to the desired location by clicking on the Recover button.
Hopefully, you were able to recover lost deleted files.
Source: Trustpilot
Methods to recover Deleted Files or Missing Downloads Folder on Mac:
How to Find Recently Downloaded Files on Mac?
Many readers have one common question: “where do my Downloads go on my Mac?” The answer is in the downloads folders. Not sure where to find that? Here are 3 easy ways to view the downloaded files.
1. Find the Download files using the Dock
The dock is made up of those icons at the bottom of your screen that provides you rapid access to apps, and in that dock is a quick connection to your downloads. It's commonly seen in the bottom right corner. Move the cursor over it to see a short preview of the most recent downloads, or click on the download icon to see all of your downloaded files that haven't been moved to another location.
2. Find the downloads Folder using the Finder Option
When you are on your Mac’s home screen, the taskbar on the top of your screen will display a list of options. Click on File, then click New Finder Window. Click on Downloads from the left side panel that appears on your screen.
How to Recover Deleted Files from the Download Folder on Mac?
Irrespective of the reason why you have lost your much-needed or favorite files (Funny videos, inspirational quotes, important work-related documents, etc.) that you have downloaded from the web. Thankfully all of those can be recovered from any version of Mac OS by following the below-mentioned methods.
Method 1: Redownload the Deleted or Lost Files from the Web
One of the simplest ways to recover deleted or lost files is by redownloading them from the internet. Hopefully, you are aware of the source from which you have downloaded the file.
Method 2: Restore Downloaded Files From The Trash Bin
The files that you delete from any folder end up in the Trash Bin of your Mac. So if you have accidentally or intentionally deleted some of the recently downloaded files, then we highly recommend you check and restore them from the Trash.
1: Open the Trash Bin Folder
2: Find the Files you want to Recover
3: Select the files and right-click on them, from the drop-down menu click on the Put-Back option.
You can find the deleted download files in the same folder where they were earlier stored.
Method 3: Restore Backup Files Using the Time Machine Option
Restoring Backup files is one of the most recommended as well as the most used method to recover deleted or lost files due to any reason. And what better way to take backup than using Time Machine?
If you have taken a backup kindly proceed with the steps, if not you can try the next method.
Step 1: Connect the external storage device (where you have saved backup files) to your Mac system.
Step 2: Open Time Machine by selecting System Preferences from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Locate the Time Machine symbol and click on it.
Step 4: Select the option to show the time machine in the menu bar, and the Time Machine symbol will appear on your screen's menu bar.
Step 5: Select Enter Time Machine from the drop-down menu.
Note: If you know where the file was previously saved. Then click on that folder then Enter Time Machine.
Step 6: Locate the files you wish to restore and hit the Restore button.
Many users usually complain that they have accidentally deleted the download folder on their mac and are wondering how to get the downloads folder back on mac. Try the next method that is guaranteed to work.
Note: The latest version of mac OS is finally here. Do follow this article to find out how to upgrade to Mac Ventura without losing data.
Method 4: Recover Permanently Lost Download Files or Deleted Downloads Folder
Easily recover various types of files including images, videos, audio files, text documents, etc. that were downloaded from the web but were lost due to any of the earlier-mentioned reasons. Remo Recover for Mac is a powerful tool built with innovative scan algorithms that recognize 300+ file formats and recover them effortlessly. Moreover, the tool is compatible with all the newer versions of Mac OS including Monterey and Big Sur. You can download the tool for free now!!!
How to Recover Lost Downloads or Deleted Downloads Folders on Mac?
Follow the below-mentioned steps carefully in order to successfully recover missing downloads.
Step 1: Download and Install the Remo Data Recovery Software for Mac on your MacBook or iMac.
Step 2: Launch the tool, Select the Recover Files option.
Step 3: Depending upon the reason for data loss, click on Recover Deleted Files or Recover Lost Files.
Step 4: From the list of all available drives or volumes. Select the drive or volume from which the data has been deleted or lost.
Step 5: Once the scan is complete, the tool will display a list of recovered files, you can verify the file by using the Preview button.
Step 6: You can activate the tool and save the recovered downloaded files onto any safe location of your choice.
Conclusion
Here we end our long discussion on how to recover deleted download files. If you are having any additional questions or doubts do lets us know in the comment section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find the Download folder on Android smartphones?
When you use any web browser to download something from the internet. They are saved in the Android phone's File Manager application. There are two techniques to locate them:
Look for them in your web browser.
Simply launch the Chrome app, press the three vertical dots at the top of the screen, and select Downloads from the drop-down menu. All of the new and old download files are available here.
They may be found in the File Manager Folder.
Simply navigate to the Downloads folder in the My Files app or the File Manager folder. Here you'll discover all of the files you've downloaded recently as well as in the past.
How to recover downloaded files on an android device?
If you have downloaded any image or video files they get saved in the gallery folder and google photos app on your android phone. If you have deleted media files they usually end up in the Bin or Recently deleted folder.
Here’s how you can recover them.
Step 1: Open the Gallery or Google Photos app.
Step 2: Click on Library or albums, on the top of the screen, you will find the Bin folder or recently deleted folder tap on that.
Step 3: Find and select the photos you want to retrieve, tap and hold on the files for a couple of seconds until a drop-down menu appears on your screen, and click on the Restore button.
How to find the Download folder on iPhone and iPad?
The files that you have downloaded get saved in the Downloads folder. Here’s how you can access the downloaded files.
Step 1: Launch the Files application.
Step 2: Select Browse from the menu.
Step 3: Go to Locations and choose My iPhone or My iPad (Depending on which device you are using).
Step 4: Go to the Downloads folder. Here you will find all the files that you've downloaded.
How to Recover Download Files on iPhone and iPad?
The easiest way to recover any deleted file is by redownloading it from the web.
What happens to canceled downloads?
Most browsers store partially downloaded files in the cache. If the download process is not resumed, the cache will permanently remove any half-downloaded files.
