How to Recover Deleted Photos from Windows 8

Can I recover permanently deleted photos from Windows 8?

Are you wondering how to recover deleted photos from Windows 8 computers? If your answer is “yes”, you’ve come to the right place.

For a better photo recovery rate, you’d better avoid adding new data to your computer after data loss because any written operation could overwrite the deleted/lost photos. After data coverage, it could be problematic for you to restore the needed photos.

Solution 1: Undo deleted photos from hard drive 

The above two cases suggest there are two data recovery plans for recovering deleted photos from Windows 8 computers.

If you accidentally deleted photos from Windows 8.0/8.1 operating system, you can restore the disappeared files immediately to the original location by pressing the Ctrl + Z keys.

In addition, you can recover deleted photos from Recycle Bin with ease if you don't empty the Recycle Bin, use Shift + Delete keys, etc. If your files are permanently deleted, usable backups or data recovery software is your treatment.

Solution 2. Recover permanently deleted photos with software

How to recover permanently deleted photos from hard drives without backups? Using data recovery software seems as the best solution.

If you have no idea how to select trustworthy photo recovery software for Windows, you can refer to these measurements.

▶ Functionality: It can help you recover different types of data from your local storage devices. 

▶ Flexibility: You’re allowed to make a flexible choice to recover the deleted/lost data based on your data loss scenarios.

▶ Compatibility: It can work well with most Windows OS family members.

▶ Easy operations: An intuitive user interface and easy-to-follow operations can offer a better user experience for users.

In practice, AOMEI FastRecovery can meet the above needs. 

AOMEI FastRecovery

Best Free Photo Recovery Software for Windows

• Recover 1000+ data types, includingWord, Excel, PPT, Photos, Videos, Audio, Compressed files, and so on.
• Integrates Quick Scan and Deep Scan to find all recoverable data.
• Support search, filter, preview, crashed PC recovery, etc., making recovery simple and efficient.
• Support different storage devices (e.g., HDDs/SSDs, USB drives, SD cards) and NTFS, exFAT, FAT32, and ReFS file systems.
• 🔥 Free data recovery, up to 500 MB.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8/7 & Servers

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Step 1. Download and install AOMEI FastRecovery on your PC. After loading the disk, hover the mouse over the drive, and click Scan to get started.

Step 2.  It will automatically scan your hard drive and display all the recoverable files. Under the Type field, click Image and select the ones you want to recover. You can sort files by name, date modified, size, etc.

📍📍📍Notes:
✅ For specific files or folders, type the file name or the extension in the search box. Or click the filter button to specify the data type (e.g., Images).
✅ Click the Deep Scan button if the Quick Scan fails to locate the desired files. Deep Scan searches every sector of the disk to find more files.

Step 3. Preview the needed photos and click Recover to start the photo recovery process. Please save them in a new location instead of original location.

Solution 3. Recover permanently deleted photos through File History

File History is the best fit for Windows 8 computers because Microsoft released this feature in the Windows 8.0 operating system. It can back up files in Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, Desktop folders, and OneDrive offline files saved on your computers.   

📍📍📍Notes:
✅ Be sure File History is turned on. Otherwise, you can't restore the original documents from backups even if they were deleted, lost, or damaged.
✅ You can store backups in the cloud drive or an external hard drive.
✅ With File Historyon, you can also restore previous versions of files in File Explorer.

Step 1. Search Control Panel in the search bar and open it. Then, click System and Security > File History > Restore your files with File History.

Step 2. Click the Restore personal files link.

Step 3. It will take you to the File History Home page. Find the backup containing deleted photos and click Restore to save them to the original location.

If you prefer to change the saved path, please right-click on the Settings icon and select the Restore to option to set a new location.

Conclusion 

This article introduces you to 3 useful methods and how to recover deleted photos from Windows 8 step by step. For recently deleted files, try Ctrl + Z or check the Recycle Bin. For permanent deletion, try File History or data recovery software - AOMEI FastRecovery.

FAQs

1. Where do deleted photos go first on Windows 8?

They usually go to the Recycle Bin - a temporary location  to store deleted files. Note this method only works if you haven’t emptied the Recycle Bin.

• Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
• Look for photos like .jpg, .png, etc., and right-click the photos, choose Restore. They go back to where they were before. 

2. Can I still get photos back after emptied the Recycle Bin?

 Yes, maybe if you act fast. Use a free data recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery (easiest for beginners). The sooner you try, the better chance you have.

• Download AOMEI FastRecovery. Install it on a different drive if possible.
• Run it and choose the drive containing deleted photos, click Scan.
• Wait until the scanning procses complete and preview the photos you want to recover. Click Recover and select a new location to save photos. 

3. Can Windows 8 get my photos back without extra software? 

Yes, but only if you turned on backups before. Microsoft offers users File History, Previous Versions, and Backup and Restore (Windows 7) to backup and restore files on Windows 8, including photos.