Where Do Deleted Files Go on Mac and Windows?

When you delete a file on your computer, it doesn't vanish instantly—at least not at first. Both macOS and Windows have built-in mechanisms to temporarily store deleted files, offering you a chance to recover them before they're gone for good.

Where do deleted files go on Mac and Windows? This article will guide you through the different stages and storage places of deleted files on both Mac and Windows systems. We’ll also walk you through how to locate and restore deleted files.

Part 1. How to Find and Recover Deleted Files on MacPart 2. How to Find and Recover Deleted Files on WindowsPart 3. Advanced Solution to Recover Deleted Files (Mac & Windows)Part 4. Conclusion

Part 1. How to Find and Recover Deleted Files on Mac

Where do deleted files go on Mac? On macOS, deleted files are typically moved to the Trash, a temporary storage space similar to Windows’ Recycle Bin. Files remain there until the user manually empties the Trash or the system performs an automatic clean-up.

To recover deleted files on your Mac:

Step 1: Check the Trash

1. Click on the Trash icon in the Dock.
2. Look through the contents to find your deleted file.
3. Right-click the file and select Put Back to restore it to its original location.

Step 2: Use Spotlight Search

If you're unsure where the file was or what it was named, use Spotlight (Cmd + Space) to search for keywords.

Step 3: Time Machine Backup

Where do deleted files go on Mac if they aren't in the Trash? It's easy to find and restore files using Apple's Time Machine. Time Machine is Apple’s software to back up your Mac, and it comes with every Mac. Time Machine keeps a copy of everything on your Mac. Please see our steps for details on how to use Time Machine.

1. Connect your Time Machine backup drive.
2. Open the folder where the file was located.
3. Launch Time Machine from the menu bar.
4. Scroll through backups to find the deleted file.
5. Select and click Restore.

Step 4: Terminal Command (for advanced users)

Sometimes, files deleted via Terminal or certain apps don't go to Trash. Use the following to search:

• sudo find / -name 'filename'

However, this method may require admin access and doesn't guarantee recovery unless the file still exists.

Part 2. How to Find and Recover Deleted Files on Windows

Where do deleted files go on Windows? On Windows systems, deleted files are first moved to the Recycle Bin, from which they can easily be restored unless the bin is emptied or bypassed.

Step 1: Check the Recycle Bin

1. Open the Recycle Bin from the desktop.
2. Search or scroll to find your file.
3. Right-click and choose Restore.

Related ArticlesHow to Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin After Empty?

Step 2: File History (if enabled)

1. Go to the folder where the file was.
2. Right-click and select Restore previous versions.
3. Choose the version you want and click Restore.

Step 3: Windows Backup and Restore

1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
2. If backups exist, use the wizard to restore files from a specific backup.

Step 4: Command Prompt

Where do deleted files go on Windows? Advanced users can use Command Prompt to locate deleted files, especially from hidden locations:

• chkdsk X: /f

This checks the disk for file system errors and may uncover lost files.

Part 3. Advanced Solution to Recover Deleted Files (Mac & Windows)

Where do deleted files go on Mac and Windows if traditional recovery methods fail? In such cases, FoneDog Data Recovery offers a powerful and user-friendly solution for both Mac and Windows users.

It is available for both Windows and macOS systems and is commonly used to recover files such as documents, photos, videos, audio, and emails. Whether it's your internal hard drive, an external USB, an SD card, or even a crashed computer, FoneDog can scan and recover data that has been deleted, even after formatting.

Data Recovery Recover deleted image, document, audio and more files. Get deleted data back from computer (including Recycle Bin) and hard drives. Recover loss data caused by disk accident, operation system crushes and other reasons. Free Download Free Download

How to Use FoneDog Data Recovery:

1. Download and Install FoneDog: Start by downloading and installing the FoneDog Data Recovery Tool on your computer. The software is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
2. Launch the Software: After installation, launch the FoneDog Data Recovery Tool on your computer.
3. Connect Storage Device: If the deleted files were stored on an external storage device (e.g., USB drive or external hard drive), connect it to your computer.
4. Select File Types: The software will prompt you to choose the types of files you want to recover. Select the file categories (e.g., photos, videos, documents) you need to restore, or you can choose "All File Types" for a comprehensive search.
5. Choose the Storage Device: Select the storage device or drive from which you want to recover the deleted files. Click "Start Scan" to initiate the scanning process.
6. Scanning Process: The FoneDog Data Recovery Tool will perform a deep scan of the selected storage device to locate deleted files. The scanning process may take some time, depending on the size of the storage device.
7. Preview and Select Files: Once the scanning is complete, the tool will display a list of recoverable files. You can preview the files to ensure they are the ones you want to recover. Select the files you wish to retrieve.
8. Recover Files: After selecting the desired files, click the "Recover" button. You will be prompted to choose a destination folder to save the recovered files. Ensure you select a different location from where the deleted files were originally stored to avoid overwriting data.
9. Mini Conclusion: The FoneDog Data Recovery Tool will proceed to recover the selected files and save them to the destination folder. Once the recovery process is complete, you can access and use the recovered files as needed.

Part 4. Conclusion

Where do deleted files go on Mac and Windows? After reading this article, do you still have such doubts? On both Mac and Windows, systems are designed to give users a chance to recover data through the Trash, Recycle Bin, or Terminal Command. However, once files bypass these stages—whether due to permanent deletion or drive formatting—advanced recovery software becomes indispensable.

With tools like FoneDog Data Recovery, users have a fighting chance at retrieving important data, even after it appears to be gone. The key is to act fast, avoid overwriting deleted data, and use the right tools for the job. By understanding where deleted files go and how to effectively retrieve them, you can protect yourself against accidental loss and ensure that critical files are recoverable when you need them most.