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Accidentally deleting important files can be a nightmare, especially when working on a Windows Server 2012 environment. However, there are ways to recover permanently deleted files and restore them to their original state. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps to recover your files on Windows Server 2012.
Step 1: Open the "File Explorer" on your Windows Server 2012 by clicking on the folder icon on the taskbar or pressing the "Windows + E" keys together.
Step 2: Navigate to the location where the deleted files were originally stored. If you are unsure of the exact location, try to remember the folder or drive where the files were last seen.
Step 3: Right-click on the folder or drive and select "Restore previous versions" from the context menu. This will open the "Previous Versions" tab, which lists all available versions of the folder or drive.
Step 4: From the list of available versions, select the most recent version before the files were deleted. If you’re lucky, the deleted files might be present in this version.
Step 5: Once you’ve selected the desired version, click on the "Open" button to view its contents. Look for the deleted files within this version and copy them to a safe location on your server.
Step 6: If you can’t find the deleted files in the previous versions, you can try using a professional data recovery software specifically designed for Windows Server 2012. These tools can deep scan your server’s storage and recover deleted files that are no longer accessible through the normal file explorer.
Step 7: Install the data recovery software of your choice, following the installation instructions provided by the developer. Once installed, launch the software and initiate a deep scan of the server’s storage devices. After the scan is complete, the software will present a list of recoverable files. Select the deleted files you want to restore and choose a location to save them.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides a simple and straightforward method to recover permanently deleted files. | 1. Recovering deleted files may not always be successful, especially if they have been overwritten or damaged. |
| 2. Can restore files from previous versions, which may contain the deleted files. | 2. Previous versions may not always be available or have the deleted files if the server is not configured to create regular backups or restore points. |
| 3. Professional data recovery software can greatly enhance the chances of file recovery. | 3. Data recovery software may require additional costs and may not always guarantee complete file recovery. |
Recovering permanently deleted files on Windows Server 2012 is possible, thanks to the availability of previous versions and professional data recovery software. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can increase your chances of successfully restoring your important files. Remember to regularly backup your files to prevent such accidental deletions and ensure the safety of your data on Windows Server 2012.
Video Tutorial: How do I find permanently deleted files?
How do I recover accidentally deleted files from my server?
Accidentally deleting important files from a server can be a stressful situation. However, there are steps you can take to attempt to recover the deleted files:
1. Identify the file system: Determine the file system used on your server. Common file systems include NTFS for Windows and ext4 for Linux. Knowing the file system will help in selecting the appropriate tools and methods for file recovery.
2. Stop writing to the server: As soon as you notice the accidental deletion, avoid any write operations to the server. Writing new data to the storage device increases the risk of overwritten files, making recovery more challenging.
3. Check the recycle bin or trash: Many operating systems have a recycle bin or trash folder that temporarily holds deleted files. Check if your deleted files are there first. If they are, you can easily restore them to their original location.
4. Use file recovery software: If the files are not in the recycle bin or trash, consider utilizing file recovery software. There are several data recovery tools available both commercially and as open-source software. Examples include Recuva, TestDisk, and PhotoRec. Follow the instructions provided by the software to scan the server’s storage device and recover deleted files.
5. Consider professional data recovery services: If the file recovery software fails to retrieve the deleted files or if the files are critical and time-sensitive, you may need to consult professional data recovery services. These specialized companies have advanced tools and techniques to recover data from servers and storage devices. However, note that professional services can be expensive.
6. Restore from backups: Hopefully, you have a backup strategy in place. If you do regular backups of your server’s data, you can restore the accidentally deleted files from your backup copies. Ensure that you have backup copies stored securely and perform the restoration carefully to avoid overwriting any existing data.
Remember, the success of file recovery largely depends on the circumstances surrounding the deletion, the length of time since deletion, and the actions taken afterward. Therefore, it’s crucial to act swiftly, avoid unnecessary write operations, and follow the appropriate steps based on your specific situation.
How do I enable the Recycle Bin in Active Directory 2012 R2?
To enable the Recycle Bin in Active Directory 2012 R2, follow these steps:
1. Open the Windows PowerShell with administrative privileges.
2. Run the command "Import-Module ActiveDirectory" to load the necessary module.
3. Next, use the command "Enable-ADOptionalFeature -Identity ‘CN=Recycle Bin Feature,CN=Optional Features,CN=Directory Service,CN=Windows NT,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=domain,DC=com’ -Scope ForestOrConfigurationSet -Target ‘domain.com'" to enable the Recycle Bin feature. Replace ‘domain.com’ with the appropriate domain name for your environment.
4. Press Enter to execute the command.
By following these steps, you will enable the Recycle Bin feature in Active Directory 2012 R2. This feature allows you to restore deleted objects and recover from accidental deletions, providing additional safeguards for your Active Directory environment.
Can you still recover permanently deleted files?
Yes, it is still possible to recover permanently deleted files under certain circumstances. Here are the steps and reasons to consider:
1. Stop using the device immediately: When you delete a file, it is not entirely erased from the storage medium. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as available for reuse. Until this space is overwritten by new data, the deleted file might still be recoverable. Hence, it’s crucial to stop using the device to minimize the chances of overwriting the deleted file.
2. Check the recycle bin or trash folder: If you deleted the file recently and it was moved to the recycle bin (on Windows) or trash folder (on Mac), you can easily restore it from there. Simply locate the file in the respective folder and right-click to restore it to its original location.
3. Utilize file recovery software: In situations where the file is not found in the recycle bin or trash folder, you can employ specialized file recovery software. Many software options, both free and paid, are available for different operating systems. Examples include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill. These tools can scan the storage media for traces of deleted files and attempt to recover them.
4. Consult professional data recovery services: If the above steps don’t yield satisfactory results, or if the files are particularly crucial, you may consider reaching out to professional data recovery services. These companies possess advanced techniques and equipment to recover data from damaged storage devices or handle complex recovery scenarios. However, professional services often come at a higher cost.
It’s important to note that the success of file recovery depends on various factors, such as the time elapsed since deletion, the amount of new data written to the device, and the type of storage medium. Therefore, it’s always advisable to regularly back up important files and maintain a robust backup strategy to prevent permanent data loss.
How do I recover permanently deleted files from Windows Server?
Recovering permanently deleted files from Windows Server can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible. Here are the steps you can follow to attempt file recovery:
1. Check the Recycle Bin: Start by checking the Recycle Bin on the Windows Server. If the files were recently deleted, there is a good chance that they might still be in the Recycle Bin. Simply locate the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, double-click to open it, and check for the deleted files. If found, right-click on the files and choose "Restore" to recover them.
2. Utilize File History or Previous Versions: If you have enabled File History or have previous versions of the server’s files backed up, you can use this feature to recover the deleted files. Right-click on the folder where the files were stored, select "Restore previous versions" or "Restore previous file versions," and choose the most recent backup to access and recover the deleted files.
3. Use Data Recovery Software: If the above methods do not work, you can resort to third-party data recovery software. There are reputable data recovery tools available that can scan your Windows Server’s storage devices and recover deleted files. Make sure to choose a reliable and highly rated software to maximize your chances of successful recovery. Follow the instructions provided by the software to scan for deleted files and recover them to a safe location.
It is important to note that the success of file recovery depends on various factors, including the time elapsed since the files were deleted, the activities performed on the server after deletion, and the efficiency of the recovery method used. Therefore, it is crucial to act swiftly and avoid any further data writes to the storage device where the deleted files were located to enhance the chances of successful recovery.
Remember to regularly backup important files to prevent data loss in the future. Consider implementing a robust data backup and recovery strategy that automatically takes regular backups to avoid such situations and ensure the safety of your data.
Why is Disk Cleanup not showing in Windows Server 2012 R2?
Disk Cleanup is a useful tool in Windows Server 2012 R2 for freeing up disk space by removing unnecessary files and system clutter. However, there may be several reasons why Disk Cleanup is not showing in Windows Server 2012 R2. Here are a few possible explanations:
1. Missing Disk Cleanup feature: The Disk Cleanup tool may not be installed or enabled on the Windows Server 2012 R2 system. By default, this utility is not installed on Windows Server editions, and you need to manually enable it as a feature. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Open the Server Manager application.
b. Click on "Add roles and features."
c. Proceed with the installation wizard until the "Features" section.
d. Expand "User Interfaces and Infrastructure."
e. Enable "Desktop Experience" and complete the installation.
f. After installation, you should be able to access Disk Cleanup.
2. Insufficient privileges: Disk Cleanup requires administrative privileges to run properly. Check if you have administrative rights on the server. If not, contact your system administrator or log in with an administrator account that has the necessary privileges.
3. Environmental variables: Disk Cleanup may not be showing due to incorrect or missing environmental variables. Ensure that the "SystemRoot" variable is properly set. To verify this:
a. Right-click on "Computer" or "This PC" and select "Properties."
b. Click on "Advanced system settings."
c. In the "Advanced" tab, click on "Environment Variables."
d. Check if the "System variables" section includes a variable named "SystemRoot" with a value pointing to the Windows installation directory (e.g., C:\Windows).
4. Group Policy settings: Disk Cleanup might be disabled through Group Policy settings. If your system is under a domain policy, contact your IT department or system administrator to check if the Group Policy settings are preventing Disk Cleanup from appearing.
5. Known issue or update: There could be specific issues or updates that affect the visibility of Disk Cleanup in Windows Server 2012 R2. Check with Microsoft’s official documentation, support forums, or knowledge base for any known issues or updates that can cause this behavior. Applying the latest updates or patches may resolve the problem.
Remember, troubleshooting system-related issues can vary depending on the specific environment, configurations, and updates. If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or consult with IT professionals familiar with Windows Server 2012 R2.