Set Up Windows File Recovery to Restore Deleted Files from SSD, USB, and SD Cards

Set Up Windows File Recovery to Restore Deleted Files from SSD, USB, and SD Cards​

Difficulty: Intermediate | Time Required: 20 minutes
Losing an important file can be frustrating, especially when it’s already gone from the Recycle Bin. The good news is that Microsoft provides a free tool called Windows File Recovery that can help restore deleted files from internal SSDs, USB flash drives, and SD cards.
This tutorial walks you through setting up and using Windows File Recovery on Windows 10 and Windows 11. We’ll cover installation, choosing the right recovery mode, running practical commands, and avoiding common mistakes so you have the best possible chance of getting your files back.

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A PC running Windows 10 version 2004 or later or Windows 11
• Administrator access
• A second drive to save recovered files to
  • Examples: external USB drive, another internal partition, or another SSD
• The name or location of the deleted files, if possible

Important: Stop using the drive you want to recover from as soon as possible.
Continued use can overwrite deleted data, especially on SSDs.

Note for Windows 10 users: Microsoft support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025, but the app is still relevant on supported installations and many existing systems.

What Windows File Recovery Can Recover​

Windows File Recovery is designed to recover deleted files from:

• Internal SSDs and hard drives
• USB flash drives
• SD cards and memory cards

It supports common file systems including:

• NTFS – typical for Windows system drives and many larger USB drives
• FAT / exFAT – common on SD cards and removable media
• ReFS – in some advanced Windows storage scenarios

It does not recover from:

• Cloud-only storage
• Network shares
• OneDrive files that were never stored locally

Step 1: Install Windows File Recovery​

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Search for Windows File Recovery.
3. Install the app published by Microsoft Corporation.
4. Wait for the installation to complete.

You can also launch it later by typing Windows File Recovery into Start search.

Tip: The Store listing notes that recovery from SSDs can be limited by TRIM, which may reduce the chance of successful recovery if too much time has passed.

Step 2: Understand the Basic Command Format​

Windows File Recovery is a command-line tool, so you’ll use it in a Command Prompt window.
The general syntax is:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
Example:
winfr C: E: /regular /n \Users\YourName\Documents\
Where:

• source-drive: is the drive where files were deleted
• destination-drive: is where recovered files will be saved
• /regular or /extensive tells the tool how to scan
• /n filters what to look for

Warning: The source and destination must be on different drives.
You cannot recover from C: back to C:.

Step 3: Check the File System of the Drive​

Before choosing a recovery mode, find out whether the drive is formatted as NTFS, FAT, or exFAT.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Right-click the drive you want to recover from.
3. Select Properties.
4. Look for File system.

Use this as a quick guide:

• NTFS: internal SSDs, most Windows drives, many larger USB drives
• FAT / exFAT: SD cards, cameras, smaller flash drives

Step 4: Choose the Right Recovery Mode​

Windows File Recovery offers two main modes most users need:

Regular mode​

Best for:

• Recently deleted files
• Healthy NTFS drives

Extensive mode​

Best for:

• SD cards
• USB drives using FAT or exFAT
• Older deletions
• Formatted drives
• Corrupted drives

A simple rule:

• Start with Regular for a recently deleted file on an NTFS drive
• Use Extensive for removable media or when Regular doesn’t find anything

Step 5: Open Windows File Recovery as Administrator​

1. Press Start
2. Type Windows File Recovery
3. Right-click it and choose Run as administrator
4. Approve the UAC prompt

A Command Prompt window will open.

Step 6: Recover a Deleted File or Folder from an SSD​

If you deleted a file from your internal Windows drive and it was recently removed, try Regular mode first.

Recover your Documents folder​

winfr C: E: /regular /n \Users\YourName\Documents\

Recover all PDF and Word files from C:​

winfr C: E: /regular /n *.pdf /n *.docx
After running the command:

1. Press Y when prompted to continue
2. Wait for the scan to finish
3. Open the recovery folder created on the destination drive

Windows File Recovery usually creates a folder named something like:
Recovery_<date and time>

Tip: If the file name contains spaces, wrap the path in quotes.

Example:
winfr C: E: /regular /n "\Users\YourName\Documents\Project Plan.docx"

Step 7: Recover Files from a USB Drive or SD Card​

For removable media, Extensive mode is usually the better choice.

Recover photos from an SD card​

If your SD card is D: and your destination is E::
winfr D: E: /extensive /n *.jpg /n *.png

Recover files containing the word “invoice”​

winfr D: E: /extensive /n *invoice*

Recover pictures from a specific folder​

winfr D: E: /extensive /n \Pictures\*.jpeg /n \Pictures\*.png

Note: On SD cards and exFAT drives, Extensive mode is generally the right starting point.

Step 8: Review the Recovered Files​

When recovery is complete:

1. Open the destination drive
2. Find the generated recovery folder
3. Sort files by:
   • Name
   • Type
   • Date modified
4. Copy recovered items to a safe location

Recovered files may not always return with perfect original names or folder structure, especially after deeper scans.

Useful Tips​

1. Use filters to reduce clutter​

The /n switch helps target only the files you care about.
Examples:

/n *.xlsx
/n \Users\YourName\Desktop\
/n *budget*

2. Keep the destination drive separate​

Always recover to another physical drive if possible. This avoids overwriting the very data you’re trying to save.

3. Try again with Extensive mode​

If Regular mode doesn’t find your file, retry using Extensive mode.

4. SSD recovery can be hit-or-miss​

Because of TRIM, deleted files on SSDs may be cleared quickly. Fast action improves your odds.

5. Use / ? for help​

If you forget the syntax:
winfr /?

Troubleshooting Notes​

Problem: “Source and Destination cannot refer to the same physical partition”​

Fix: Choose another destination drive, such as a USB drive or external SSD.

Problem: No files were recovered​

Try these steps:

1. Double-check the drive letter
2. Verify the file system
3. Use a broader filter
4. Switch from /regular to /extensive

Problem: Recovery is taking a long time​

That’s normal with larger drives or Extensive mode. Let it finish unless you are certain the settings are wrong.

Problem: Too many unwanted files are returned​

Use more specific filters, such as:
/n \Users\YourName\Pictures\*.jpg
instead of:
/n *.jpg

Problem: Destination drive is full​

Free up space on the destination drive and rerun the recovery.

Warning: Do not create new partitions on the source drive after data loss.
That can reduce recovery success.

Conclusion​

Windows File Recovery is one of the most useful built-in recovery tools Microsoft offers for deleted files that are no longer in the Recycle Bin. While it may look intimidating at first, once you understand the source drive, destination drive, and recovery modes, it becomes a practical tool for rescuing documents, photos, and other important files from SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards.
The biggest keys to success are acting quickly, using a separate destination drive, and choosing the right mode for the file system.
Key Takeaways:

• Windows File Recovery works on Windows 10 version 2004+ and Windows 11
• Use Regular mode for recent deletions on NTFS drives
• Use Extensive mode for USB drives, SD cards, exFAT/FAT, formatted drives, or older deletions
• Always save recovered files to a different drive
• Fast action improves recovery chances, especially on SSDs

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This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.