Surely, there were cases when everyone mistakenly deleted the wrong file. Many start to panic from ignorance of how to recover deleted files from a computer, whether they are in the recycle bin or completely deleted. However, there are several simple ways to “revive” the necessary documents that do not require complex manipulations.
The concept of file and file system
So, before disassembling methods for recovering documents, images, audio and video, you need to parse the concept of a file and a file system.
A file refers to information that is stored on an external, flexible or rigid media and is united by a common name. Any memory card, flexible or hard drive can store many documents, images, records (audio and video). How all this will be stored on the media is determined by the file system, which is understood as a functional element of the operating system, which is designed to perform operations with files.
The file name is divided into 2 components: the name and extension, which are separated by a period. The name is set by the user, and the extension automatically determines the program in which the file is processed. The extension stores information that determines the type of document, image, recordings (audio and video).
For example, a file named: PRIMER.TXT. Here primer is the name of the file, txt is its extension.
Sometimes a situation arises when you need to delete a file on a remote computer. Moreover, not everyone knows how to do this. Therefore, the question arises of how to delete a file on a remote computer. Experienced users are advised to use TeamViewer or Radmin. In the first case, access to the Internet is required, and in the second, a local network should be established.
File Deletion Methods
Not every user knows that after deleting the file, it can still remain on the computer. If there is a need to completely delete various kinds of documents so that they do not fall into the hands of attackers, then you can use one of the proposed methods to completely uninstall files.
- Hard Disk Cleanup.
- Using the features of the free-program Eraser.
- Using the functionality of the Unlocker program if the file is locked by the system.
- Delete passwords stored in browsers through the settings of a specific Internet browser.
- Eliminate files from external drives through CCleaner.
- Delete files from portable devices by formatting removable drives.
- Eliminate Gmail online mail.
- Removing files from DropBox file hosting.
Obviously, the above methods are ways to protect your documents from prying eyes and exposure. Using special software, you can also resolve the issue of how to permanently delete a file on a remote computer.
Delete files on a remote computer
Methods of combating unauthorized access to documents have been studied. Now a specific task appears: how to delete a file on a remote computer. Due to the nature of some professions, for example, system administrator or computer science teacher, it is necessary to control all processes on a computer. To do this, use the Radmin program. Accordingly, the Radmin Server application must be installed on the remote machine, and Radmin Viewer on the “main” machine. It is assumed that computers are connected by a local network.
To view and perform some file manipulations on a remote machine, you need to follow the algorithm.
- Connect to the remote PC via “Connection” - “Connect to ...”.
- From the drop-down list “Connection mode” the item “Management” is selected; in the field “IP address or DNS name” the network name of the required computer is entered.
- Upon successful connection, the Radmin Security System window appears, where the user name and password specified in the Radmin Server application settings are indicated.
- The screen of the remote machine opens. Using the "Explorer" you can open any folder and files, and then delete them if necessary.
Recovering a file from the recycle bin
If any file was deleted by mistake or ignorance, and it is located in the Recycle Bin (the repository of deleted files), then it can be restored. To "bring back to life" the deleted document, you need to go to the "Recycle Bin", find the required object there, click on it with RMB (right mouse button) and select the "Restore" item. After this manipulation, the file will be in the native folder, from where it was deleted. There is another way. You need to open the folder from which the "object" and the "Recycle Bin" are "deleted". Then the file is dragged with the mouse while holding LMB (left mouse button).
If the Trash has been emptied, then a slightly different action is required. Firstly, it is not necessary to write to disk (external, hard, flexible) any information. Secondly, you have to use the “services” of some programs.
Now questions about how to delete a file from the computer to the Recycle Bin and how to restore it have been resolved.
File Recovery with Recuva
To recover deleted files on your computer, you can use the Recuva application. First you need to download and install it. Then you should open the program. After selecting the type of file, its location, click "Analysis". The application will show those documents that can be restored. Having selected the necessary file by setting the “checkmark”, you need to click “Restore ...”.
When the window opens, the directory where the document will be restored is selected. Upon successful completion of the operation, the "Action Complete" window appears.
It should be noted that not all files are recoverable. Among the main reasons are: long-term deletion, overwriting in place of the eliminated file of other documents. You can use the functionality of other programs to "bring back to life" the desired file.
What to do if the file cannot be deleted
If the document, images, recordings (audio and video) do not want to be deleted, you can try the Unlocker program, which unlocks the process.
If a window appears with a message similar in meaning to "do not delete the file from the computer", then you can not do without the Unlocker application. It is embedded in the context menu of the operating system. This program is easy and convenient to work with. It does not take up a lot of OS resources.
So, to delete the ill-fated file, you need to click on it with RMB and select "Unlocker". The program displays all blocked processes. You should select “Unlock All”, after which the required file is deleted or moved to another location. If the folder is locked, then the same manipulations should be performed with it.
Also, this application is able to independently try to delete the file, format the disk occupied by other processes, if this is not possible with manual influences.
This article addressed issues of eliminating files, for example, how to delete a file on a remote computer, as well as ways to recover lost documents.