To recover deleted data from D drive, first check whether the files remain in the Recycle Bin or an earlier backup. For permanently deleted files, scan the original drive and save recovered files elsewhere.
You deleted a folder from D drive, and the documents or photos inside are now missing. You may still be able to recover deleted data from D drive. Start with the Recycle Bin or an existing backup. A software scan offers another option when the D drive remains readable.
Stop saving new files to D drive. Downloads, installations, and other writes may overwrite deleted data. Then, choose a method based on the copies available and your drive’s current state.
Choose the matching condition rather than trying every method in order.
| 🧩 Your situation | ✅ Start here | 🔑 Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Deleted files remain in the Recycle Bin | Method 1: Recycle Bin Recovery | The original files are still listed |
| Files were permanently deleted or the bin was emptied | Method 2: AOMEI FastRecovery | The D drive is detected and readable |
| File History saved the original folder | Method 3: Restore from File History | A version predates the deletion |
| A Windows backup contains the files | Method 4: Backup and Restore (Windows 7) | The backup includes the D drive files |
An available backup can provide a direct copy without scanning hard drive for deleted files. Go straight to Method 3 or 4 if you already have one.
If D drive disappeared or was formatted, see the section after Method 4. Those situations need different recovery choices.
👍 Best for: Your deleted files remain in the Recycle Bin and can be restored directly.
The desktop Recycle Bin can contain files deleted from local D drive. Check the original location to distinguish them from similarly named files.
Step 1. Double-click Recycle Bin on the desktop. In Details view, check Original Location for the D drive path.
Step 2. Select the files, right-click it, and choose Restore.
Step 3. Open the original D drive folder and confirm your files are there.
Files deleted with Shift+Delete will not be available through this method. If the Recyele Bin is empty or deleted files too big for Recycle Bin, use Method 2 or an available backup.
👍 Best for: The files are no longer in the Recycle Bin, and you want to scan their original drive.
AOMEI FastRecovery is a free and reliable Windows file recovery software that can easily retrieve deleted data from D drive, such as documents, photos, videos, and other files.
Step 1. Download and installl AOMEI FastRecovery to another drive other than D drive. Prepare another separate, healthy drive with enough space for the recovery files. Then, open this software and choose Deleted Files Recovery.
Step 2. Identify D drive by its drive letter and capacity, then click Scan.
Step 3. Review the default Quick Scan results. Use Path for the original folder or Type for categories. Search by name or extension, or filter to narrow down the list. Then, sort the results to pinpoint what you need.
Step 4. Optionally, click Deep Scan if the deleted files are missing. This searches more thoroughly and may take longer.
Step 5. Select the deleted files and click Recover. Choose a different, healthy drive as the destination. Another folder on D drive is not a safe destination.
The free edition can recover up to 500MB. Recovery beyond that allowance requires an upgrade; Full preview is also available.
Displaying a filename in a scan does not confirm a complete recovery. Openrecovered files from the destination drive and check documents for missing pages and videos for playback problems.
Windows File Recovery is a free Microsoft alternative for readers comfortable with commands. If it reports an output error, see Windows File Recovery failing to create a destination folder.
👍 Best for: File History saved the original D drive folder before deletion.
File History is a built-in Windows backup feature that saves earlier copies of files in protected User's folders. If it backed up your D drive folder before deletion, you can restore deleted files from those copies.
Step 1. Connect the drive containing your existing File History backup. In File Explorer, navigate to the folder containing deleted files. Right-click it and select Restore previous versions. If a folder was deleted, use its parent folder.
Step 2. Select a version from before the deletion. Expand Open and choose Open in File History to check for the files.
Step 3. Expand Restore and select Restore to…. Choose a folder on another drive to avoid replacing current files on D drive.
Check the restored copies before moving them back. File History does not automatically protect every D drive folder, and enabling it after deletion cannot create a previous copy.
👍 Best for: An existing Backup and Restore backup contains the deleted D drive files.
Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is a Windows backup tool that supports file backups and system images. If an existing file backup contains your deleted D drive files, you can restore them individually.
Step 1. Connect the storage device containing the backup. Open Control Panel, then go to System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Step 2. Click Select another backup to restore files from. Select the backup location and continue with the wizard.
Step 3. Click Browse for files or Browse for folders to locate deleted D drive files. Choose the relevant backup date when prompted.
Step 4. Select a new location to save the recovered data, then click Restore.
A formatted D drive needs a different recovery scenario from ordinary file deletion. Stop using it and follow the guidance for recovering files from formatted hard drive. Do not format it again as preparation.
A deleted partition gives you another choice: restore the partition itself or extract its files. AOMEI FastRecovery separates Partition Recovery from Partition Lost Recovery.
Do not create a new partition over the lost one. If the disk clicks or repeatedly disconnects, stop repeated scans and seek professional recovery assessment.
Can I recover deleted data from D drive for free?
Yes, when the files remain in the Recycle Bin or a usable backup. AOMEI FastRecovery also offers recovery up to 500MB for free. Windows File Recovery is another free option, although it requires commands.
Can deleted files be recovered from a D drive SSD?
Possibly, but SSD TRIM and later writes can make deleted data unavailable. A backup may still contain a usable copy. A scan result alone does not establish that the original file data survives.
Why do recovered files appear but fail to open?
A file may be incomplete or its original data may have been overwritten. Check another recovered copy or an earlier backup. Repeatedly opening the same damaged copy will not restore its missing data.
To recover deleted data from D drive, restore an available copy or scan the original storage. Save scanned recovery results to another drive and confirm the important files are complete. Then arrange a backup that includes your D drive folders.