How to Recover Deleted Files from Windows Server?

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If you are wondering how to recover files from a Windows server? Then this article is here to help you, we have discussed 6 DIY solutions to recover deleted files from Server.
If you are looking for a guaranteed way of Windows server file recovery, then look no further, Remo File Recovery tool can help you recover files from all newer or older versions of Windows Server including Windows server 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2003, and other older versions.
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Are you feeling annoyed, bitter, flared up, heartbroken, helpless, irritated, resentful, troubled, or weepy after permanently deleting your files, folders, and data from Windows Server? 

One might encounter data loss due to various reasons like accidental deletion, hardware failure, virus attack, malware infections, ransomware attacks, software bugs or glitches, software corruption, accidental or intentional formatting of the drive without any prior backups, incomplete data transfers, improper system restoration, partition loss, data cleaning or data wiping to increase storage space, or due to Natural disasters, etc.

Note: Any deleted or missing data from the server will remain on the drive unless it gets overwritten with new information or data. So, to boost the chances of successful Windows server file recovery, I recommend you stop using your drive immediately to prevent data overwriting.

Data loss might feel disastrous. But you need not fear nor panic. I can assure you that if you stick to the end of this article and follow the instructions mentioned here, you can recover data from any Windows Server in no time. 

Time’s running out! Let’s start recovering your deleted or lost Windows Server Data.

How to Recover Deleted Files from Windows Server?

Mentioned here are the best ways to recover data on Windows Server. The solutions are divided into three parts. Part 1 talks about the Recycle Bin folder as a way to undelete server data, Part 2 talks about various Backup and recovery solutions for Windows Server, and finally, the third part talks about Remo Recover, a power-packed tried and tested Data recovery software for Windows Server.

Part 1: Restore Deleted Files From Server Without Using Software

1: Recover Deleted Windows Server Files From The Recycle Bin (Works only if you have manually deleted the files)

Part 2: Backup and recovery solutions for Windows Server

2: Restore Windows Server Backup Data from External Backup Drives (Works if you have saved Copies of deleted or lost data on any external devices as backups)

3: Restore Windows Server Files Using The Previous Versions Option (Works only if you have enabled the backup option)

4: Recover Deleted Files From Windows Server Backup Image (Works only if you have a complete Server Backup Image)

5: Recover Windows Server Data Using the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)

Part 3: Recover Files From Server Using a Powerful Windows Server File Recovery Tool

6: Recover Permanently Deleted Windows Server Files Using Remo File Recovery Software (Works in all data loss scenarios)

1. Recover Deleted Files From Windows Server Recycle Bin

Just like on a Windows computer, the Windows Server also has the Recycle Bin option on the desktop. Therefore, all accidentally deleted files or folders from the Server OS will be automatically moved to the Recycle Bin. Hence, Recycle Bin is the surest answer to the problem of Windows Server data loss and probably the fastest way to restore deleted files on the Windows Server.

  • Open the Recycle Bin on your Windows Server System.
undelete Server files from recycle bin
  • Click on the search box and type the file name that you want to retrieve.
  • Now, right-click on the file you want to recover and choose the Restore option from the pop-up.
  • After clicking Restore, return to the original location to find the recovered file.

If you cannot find the lost files or folders in the Windows Server Recycle Bin. If you have taken a backup, then the next section will be helpful.

The next part discusses restoring backup server data from backup drives, Previous Versions, Windows Server backup images, or using the shadow copies.

Note: Many Windows Server users complain that the Robocopy/MIR command has deleted some of their vital files. If you have faced the same problem, then go through this complete article on how to recover files deleted by Robocopy/MIR  to find out the sure-shot solution of recovering robocopy files.

2. Restore Windows Server Data Backup from External Backup Drive - Ultimate Data Protection

External Backups are absolutely free and the surest way to recover data lost under any scenario, including corrupted files recovery, recovering overwritten files, as well as ransomware recovery if you have saved multiple copies of the deleted or lost server data on various external storage devices, or storage media like external hard drive, SSDs, Pen drives, USB flash drives, etc.

You can connect the external backup drive to your system and move the data from it to your system. You can do the same by using the Copy and Paste or drag and drop option.

3. Restore Deleted Windows Server Files using Previous Versions

If you have enabled the backup option, the files with their previous version will be saved on a timely basis. Therefore, you can use this backup to restore files from the previous version.

Here's how you can restore Previous Versions of Windows Server files.

  • Navigate to the folder or drive that contained the lost file.
  • Right-click on the drive or folder and select Properties.
  • In the Properties window, click on the Previous Version tab.
Restore Previous Versions of Deleted Server Data
  • Now, from the list of restore points, select the version that was taken prior to the deletion of the original data.
  • Finally, click the Restore button to retrieve deleted files on the Windows server.

This method works if you have taken a backup of your data. If you don't have a backup, then use Remo Recover, effective, reliable software to recover data from Windows servers.

Note: Recovering files from Recycle Bin, Previous Versions, are some of the ways of bringing deleted or lost folders or files from computer back. Go through this article to find out more ways of recovering files from Windows.

4. Recover Deleted Files from Windows Server Backup Image

As the name suggests, the backup image file is a complete copy of all the files and, folders, and other data saved on the Windows Server. 

Restoring the files and folder from the system backup image of the server is one of the most effective and reliable ways of recovering Windows Server files. 

If you have created a backup of Server files earlier, prior to data loss or file deletion. You can go ahead and follow the steps mentioned below.

Steps To Recover Deleted Files from Windows Server Backup Images

  • Open Windows Server Backup from the tools menu. In the web admin console, click on the Local Backup option.
  • Click on Recover in the right pane.
  • Select This server if you’ve stored the backup image on the disk attached to this server. You may need to provide the shared path if you’ve stored the backup on another drive.
  • Select the Backup Date, the time when your files were not deleted.
  • On the Select Recovery Type step, check Files and folders.
  • Then, in the Select Items to Recover step, click to expand the server to select the folder that you want to restore.
  • Next, on the Specify Recovery Options step, choose the Original location.
  • On the Confirmation step, ensure you’ve chosen the correct files. Click on Recover. Wait for the process to complete. Then, close the Recovery Wizard.

5. Recover Windows Server Data Using the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)

Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS, in short) is an in-built tool in Windows Servers. When enabled, it takes snapshots of volumes by capturing the state of your data at particular or specific moments; this tool creates continuous backups of important files or critical data to a designated drive or a network location.

If you have enabled the VSS option, then you can try the following steps to restore the snapshots of the deleted, lost, or missing data or individual or specific files or folders from your Windows Server OS.

Do note: The VSS saves the shadow copies of the original data on the local drive. So, if your drive is damaged or formatted, you cannot use the Shadow Copy Service to recover deleted items from the Server.

This solution is extremely helpful in cases of data recovery after ransomware encryption, accidental deletion, permanently deleted file recovery,  ransomware attacks, hardware failure, or device damage etc.

Steps To Restore Shadow Copies of Windows Server Deleted Data

  • Open Command Prompt on your Windows Server system.
  • Run "vssadmin list shadows" command to list shadow copies on all volumes.
  • Use "vssadmin list shadows /Shadow=ShadowID" for details on a specific shadow copy.
  • Use "vssadmin restore shadow /Shadow=ShadowID /File: FilePath" to restore specific files.
  • Use "vssadmin restore shadow /Shadow=ShadowID /All" to restore all files from a shadow copy to a different location.

As explained earlier, the above methods only work if you have a backup of all the files and folders you have deleted or lost. If the solution mentioned earlier did not work for you. Then worry not; the next solution will help you solve the data loss problem on any Windows Server. 

6. Recover Deleted Files from Windows Server using Remo Windows Server Recovery Software

Remo File Recovery Tool is a power-packed Data Recovery tool trusted by thousands of Windows Server OS users worldwide when it comes to recovering files from servers.

The tool is equipped with our most advanced Deep Scan algorithms that glide through the entire drive sector by sector to effortlessly identify and recover more than 500 types of files, including .docx - Word documents, .xlsx - Excel spreadsheets, .pptx - PowerPoint presentations, pdf - Portable Document Format files, .jpg, .png, .gif - Image files, .mp3, .wav - Audio files, .mp4, .avi - Video files, etc

Remo is compatible with all Versions of Windows Server OS, including Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012R2 and 2012, Windows Server 2008R2 and 2008, etc.

So what are you waiting for? Download the best-in-class Remo Recover now and start getting your Windows Server files back with just a few simple clicks.

Steps To Recover Deleted Files From Windows Server Using Remo File Recovery Tool

Step 1: Download and install the Remo Recover software on your Windows server

Step 2: Launch the tool, and choose the drive you lost or deleted files from the list of all available drives. Moreover, using this software, you can select any specified folder like Recycle Bin, Desktop, Download, or any customized folder, depending on your choice. Click on the Scan button.

select the location from where you want to recover deleted files from Windows server

Step 3: Once the scan is complete, all the files recovered from the Windows Server will be listed under the Deleted Files folder.

Select the files from the list of all recovered files and folders from the Windows Server that you want to restore

Step 4: Finally, select the files you want to recover, click the Recover button, and provide a location to save the recovered file on the Windows server.

Select the location where you want to save the recovered Windows Server files and folders

You have now safely recovered your data from Windows Server. Remo is a solution-oriented tool rather than a problem. This means irrespective of how and why you have lost your Windows Server data, Remo is sure to work.

Protection - How to Avoid Data Loss on Windows Server

Prevention is always better than cure. To avoid any data loss, some of the following steps may help.

  1. Create Windows Server data backups: it will be very helpful to create data backups to avoid data loss.
  2. Operate carefully: To avoid misoperations, it is highly necessary
  3. Use anti-virus software or programs to clean up all viruses, spyware, or malware regularly
  4. Find a powerful data recovery solution for Windows Server

Conclusion

Most of the time, files deleted from a Windows Server are from shared folders. Since these files are accessible to other users, a user might have unknowingly deleted the file. Although such scenarios are uncertain, it is always better to be prepared for such incidents. 

Therefore, take a timely backup of the storage drive. This way, you can easily retrieve any files from the server during a data loss scenario. However, if there is no backup data, always use the Remo File Recovery Tool to recover deleted files from the Windows Server.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Deleted Files from the Server Gone Forever?

The answer is no; when you delete any file or folder, the operating system marks the storage space as empty, and the user can store any new data. 

2. Where Do Deleted Files in the Windows Server Go?

Windows server is an operating system, and just like any other operating system, Server also comes with an in-built Recycle Bin. So the moment you delete any file(s), they end up residing in the deleted items folder of the server.

3. Can you Recover Deleted Files from a Server?

The answer is yes, Windows Server recovering deleted files is possible. As mentioned earlier, the only catch is to ensure the old files don’t get overwritten with any new data.
Data overwriting is the major challenge in the process of successful data recovery process.

About the Author: John Harris

With a decade of experience in data recovery, John Harris, Senior Editor at Remo Software, is your go-to specialist. His focus includes partition management, Windows solutions, and data troubleshooting, delivering insightful content that serves both users and search engines. John's expertise shines through in illuminating blog posts, untangling data loss intricacies across diverse storage platforms.…