How to Recover Notepad Files on Windows

Notepad (TXT file), though less frequently used as Microsoft Word or PDF does presently, still plays a significant role in the modern workplace. For instance, it is quite helpful to read a programming file or still a typical and recognized format for an ebook. Therefore, it will be troublesome when your notepad files go missing if you have constant interactions with Notepad. What do you need to do when such an awful situation happens? Please take a breath to calm yourself down and pick an ideal solution from this article that focuses on how to recover notepad files (deleted and unsaved) on Windows.

Words Before Notepad File Recovery

Why are my Notepad files lost or unsaved?

These are the general reasons for losing your Notepad files or content:

  • Inadvertent Deletion
  • System Breakdown
  • System Upgrading
  • Virus Attacks/Malware
  • Unexpected Power-off

Is it possible to recover Notepad files deleted or unsaved?

When a Notepad document is removed, its data remain on your computer and waits to get overwritten by new ones though it now becomes invisible and inaccessible. Hence, you have a chance to get it back before they are subjected to complete re-writing and all you need right now is to STOP USING your computer to prevent new data from replacing your previous ones. 

So how can I effectively recover deleted or unsaved Notepad files? Please read on to learn the specific solutions.

3 Proven Ways to Recover Deleted Notepad Files in Windows

This chapter will inform you of three practical approaches to Notepad file recovery:

  • Restore Lost Notepad Files in Recycle Bin
  • Retrieve Removed Notepad Files Through Restore Previous Versions
  • Recover Deleted Notepad Files Using Data Recovery Software
  1. Restore Lost Notepad Files in Recycle Bin

Please remember: Check your Recycle Bin when any file deletion occurs on your PC since it will usually be the first destination. Here is what you should do:

  • Hit your Recycle Bin icon to open it.
  • Locate the wanted Notepad file and right-click it to activate a new menu.
  • Click Restore to get it back.
AttentionThis method only works whenThe shortcut operation-Shift + Delete doesn’t perform.The Recycle Bin is not emptiedThe deadline (30 days) for file storage doesn’t exceed.
  1. Retrieve Removed Notepad Files Through Restore Previous Versions

Restore previous versions is a helpful built-in feature that belongs to File History on Windows. It makes the recovery of older versions of your Notepad files possible. So you can find your previous files back when they are accidentally deleted. Please follow the guidance below:

  1. . Right-click the folder and find Restore previous versions in the pop-up menu.
recover-permanently-deleted-photos-through-restore-previous-versions-1
  1. Pinpoint the desired version of your previous Notepad file.
  2. Click Restore > OK.
recover-permanently-deleted-photos-through-restore-previous-versions-2

Reminder

You need to turn on the relevant feature of File History to enjoy this function.

  1. Recover Deleted Notepad Files Using Data Recovery Software

Is there a way that allows me to recover Notepad files both temporarily and permanently deleted? Yes. Data recovery software is a guaranteed method of bringing back as many files as possible. Today, we will introduce you to the one we are trying–WorkinTool Data Recovery, a useful tool to recover both deleted and unsaved Notepad files.

How to Recover Deleted Notepad Files via WorkinTool Data Recovery?

Step 1. Activate the tool and choose a recovery scene

(Switch to Scene Mode by clicking the command at the bottom if your opening interface is Wizard Mode. )

Deletion Recovery: It targets the recovery of all the Notepad files deleted or lost on your PC or laptop. Format Recovery: It aims to retrieve the vanished text documents from formatted disks or devices.USB/Memory Card Recovery: It allows you to get back the disappeared .txt files from mobile devices like USB, SD cards, HDD and more.Recycle Bin Recovery: It is designed to restore the TXT files permanently cleared from the Recycle Bin.Disk Partition Recovery: Effectively repair Notepad file loss due to missing disk partitions.Deep Recovery: A more complete and time-consuming scan mode will be adopted to maximize the recovery of your removed Notepad files. It is incredibly suitable for the retrieval of permanently deleted TXT files.

Step 2. Select a location and then hit Scan Now.

(Mark the whole disk if you are unsure where your lost Notepad files were.)

Step 3. Two methods are here to help you find your erased Notepad files:

Method 1. Navigate to Filter > Custom (TXT) > Sure > Recover.   

Method 2. Find File Type, tick txt in the Document section and then hit Recover.

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PS: A Deep scan is optional to enable the tool to scan your computer deeper and bring back more eliminated Notepad files if you feel discontent with the outcomes presented by Quick scan. However, please be patient as it will be time-consuming.

Step 4. Select all the .txt files that apply (a process needed for method 1), click Recover, set your save path and then hit Sure.

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Step 5. Click Open to get down to the retrieved Notepad files.

Additional Words

Why should you choose WorkinTool Data Recovery?

WorkinTool Data Recovery is a new but important tool invented by a rising brand called WorkinTool. In response to the users’ requests for simplicity and convenience, WorkinTool’s designers endow this software with a lightweight and easy-to-use interface, so even a green-hand IT user will find it less challenging to try. Furthermore, it is a handy tool created to solve nearly all your problems concerning data recovery. In want of recovering accidentally lost or permanently deleted Notepad files, you have two options: Quick Recovery and Deep Recovery. Whichever you choose, you can expect their return in batches effortlessly and quickly. 

More Facts

Price:  Free–Trial Plan (up to 500-MB Files Recovery)

       Paid–Premium Plan (Unlimited File Recovery)

Supported OS: Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7

Files for Recovery: 

  • Documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TXT, etc.) 
  • Picture (JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, SVG, TIF, TIFF, PSD, EPS, RAW files and more)
  • Audio (MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC and more), 
  • Video (MP4, WMV, MKV, MOV, AVI, M4V, etc.)
  • Archives (ZIP, RAR, JAR, 7z and more)
  • Emails (EDB and PST)
  • Others (DAT)
Our Verdict
ProsCons
Lightweight and SimpleBoth Quick Recovery and Deep Recovery available Multiple File Formats RecoverablePartition-Based RecoveryFREE-trial Plan AvailableLess Expensive Price (Premium Plan)Green with No AdsSecure and User-OrientedLimited OS Supported500-MB File Recovery LimitTime-Consuming for Its Deep Recovery 

How to Recover Unsaved Notepad Files on Windows

In this chapter, you will learn two effective ways to restore unsaved Notepad files on Windows.

  • Undo The Deletion Operation in Notepad
  • Recover Unsaved Notepad Files by %AppData%  
  1. Undo The Deletion Operation in Notepad

If the unsaved content is inadvertently deleted in your Notepad when it is still open, you can use the feature-Undo or shortcut key-Ctrl + Z to revert your deletion. Please follow the instructions below:

Navigate to Edit > Undo or directly press Ctrl + Z to undo your deletion operation.

  1. Recover Unsaved Notepad Files by %AppData%  

Unlike Microsoft Word, Notepad doesn’t have a built-in auto-save function. So it is highly unlikely to bring back a text document when it is closed without saving. However, it may still be possible to retrieve unsaved Notepad files from the temporary files as your Notepad content has been saved on your computer temporarily. Please read the following guidelines:

  1. . Type %AppData% in the search column on your computer and then press Enter to open the Roaming folder. 
  • Win 11: This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Users > User Name > AppData > Roaming
  • Win 10: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming 
  1. . Type txt in the search bar to activate your notepad content data list and then locate the ones you need.
NoteThese Temp files will be erased when your computer is shut down or restarted. Therefore, when such a dire situation takes place, you should STOP performing the mentioned operations to avoid permanent loss of your TXT files.   

Final Thought

This is all about Notepad file recovery. We hope it won’t be a headache to recover Notepad files deleted or unsaved after you finish this article. However, it is strongly advisable to try WorkinTool Data Recovery.

Now, are you ready to retrieve your lost or unsaved Notepad files?

About Andre Matthew

Internet Entrepreneur | Digital Marketing Expert | Marketing Consultant | Stock Market Enthusiast|| Founder & CEO at Andre Matthew, based in California. andrematthew209533{@}gmail.com

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