To recover deleted files in Windows Server 2016, check whether they remain in the Recycle Bin or an existing backup. For permanent deletion, directly scan the drive and save recoverable files elsewhere.
You deleted a folder while clearing old documents, then realized it contained files you still needed. Perhaps you used Shift+Delete, or the Recycle Bin is already empty. Is there still a way to retrieve those files?
You can recover deleted files in Windows Server 2016 from the Recycle Bin or an existing Windows Server Backup. When the files are permanently deleted, AOMEI FastRecovery can scan the original drive for recoverable data.
Start with the situation that matches your deleted files. You do not need to complete every method or attempt a backup restoration before using recovery software.
| 🧩 Your situation | ✅ Suitable method | 📌 key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| The deleted files are still in the Recycle Bin | Restore from the Recycle Bin | The entries have not been removed |
| Files were permanently deleted | Scan with AOMEI FastRecovery | The drive is readable and recoverable data remains |
| A server backup contains the files | Restore with Windows Server Backup | The backup predates deletion and includes the files |
The desktop instructions below assume Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience. Server Core uses a different management approach.
✅ Best for: Quickly restoring local files that remain in the Recycle Bin.
When you delete files through File Explorer, they stay in the Recycle Bin until you empty it. If those entries are still there, the Recycle Bin is the easiest way to get your files back in Windows Server 2016. Just restore an entry, and your files or folders return to their original location.
Step 1. Open your Windows Server 2016 system. Open Recycle Bin on the desktop.
Step 2. Locate the files or folder you need. Check Original Location and Date Deleted to tell apart entries with similar names.
Step 3. Select the required entries, right-click them, and choose Restore.
After restoring, open the original folder and confirm that the restored files are present and readable.
✅ Best for: Retrieving permanently deleted files from a hard drive in Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025, subject to the remaining data.
AOMEI FastRecovery is an easy-to-use file recovery tool that scans the drive where your deleted files were stored, helping you recover deleted files in Windows Server 2016.
Step 1. Download and install AOMEI FastRecovery on a drive other than the one containing deleted files. Prepare a separate drive with enough free space to receive the recovered data. Choose Deleted Files Recovery after launching it.
Step 2. Select the drive where the deleted files originally existed, and click Scan.
Step 3. Review the Quick Scan results by Type or Path. Search for a filename or extension, such as .docx, sort the results, or use filters to narrow the list. If missing, click Deep Scan to search more thoroughly.
Step 4. Select the files you want and click Recover.
Step 5. Save them to a different, healthy drive, not another folder on the same drive, to prevent data overwritting.
You can also use it to recover permanently deleted Excel files, PPT, PDF, TXT, etc., as well as other data types.
👍 Best for: Retrieving specific files from a backup created before deletion.
Windows Server Backup is a built-in backup feature that saves copies of your files. You can use it to recover deleted files in Windows Server 2016 as long as an existing backup includes them. Just keep in mind that the restored files match the backup's date, so any changes made after that won't be included.
Step 1. Open Windows Server 2016 and go to Server Manager > Dashboard > Manage > Add Roles and Features, and then follow the wizards to install Windows Server Backup as it's not installed by default.
Step 2. Go to Server Manager > Tools and open Windows Server Backup.
Step 3. In the Windows Server Backup window, select Local Backup, then click Recover.
Step 4. Choose This server for an available backup associated with the server, or A backup stored on another location and follow the prompts to find it.
Step 5. Select a backup date and time from before the files were deleted. Choose a version taken after the files were created or last updated as needed.
Step 6. On Select Recovery Type, choose Files and folders. Browse the backup and select the items you want to restore.
Step 7. Choose Another location and specify a recovery folder on another drive. Select how to handle existing files with matching names already in the destination.
Step 8. Check the selected files and destination, then click Recover. After completion, open the recovery folder and verify the restored files.
If the backup does not contain the required files, check another available backup date. Creating a new backup now cannot supply files already missing from Windows Server 2016
Can I recover deleted files without a backup?
Yes, if they remain in the Recycle Bin. For permanent deletion, recovery software may retrieve files from the original drive if sufficient data remains. A backup is not required for scanning, but successful recovery is not guaranteed.
What if I already emptied the Recycle Bin?
Use an existing server backup or assess recovery through a disk scan. The normal Restore option is no longer available for those entries. See how to recover files after emptying the Recycle Bin.
Can I use a built-in command to recover deleted files?
The wbadmin start recovery command can restore files from an existing Windows Server Backup. It provides a command-line route to backup restoration; it does not scan free disk space for permanently deleted files.
Do these methods apply to Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025?
AOMEI FastRecovery lists these versions as supported, and Windows Server Backup supports file recovery on them. The same prerequisites apply: files must remain in the bin, exist in a backup, or have recoverable data on disk. Interface details can vary.
To recover deleted files in Windows Server 2016, choose the source that is actually available: the Recycle Bin, recoverable disk data, or an existing server backup. Check the restored files before replacing current copies, then maintain a regular backup that includes your important folders.