Can't find a file I'm trying to recover

[Zenoth]

I've recently deleted a rather important file (it's a .RAR archive containing various MP3 files). I can't recall when I deleted it, but it might have been within the past three days or so (if it matters to mention, since I think that the more recent it is the better the chances are to find it).

I'm not sure if it's important to mention but I have two HDDs (they're not in RAID configuration). My C drive is of course the one with Windows on it. My D drive is my "backup", and the one I placed the .RAR archive on. I'm mentioning this because I don't know which drive the file ended up in after being deleted from the Recycle Bin. In other words, if the file was physically located on my D drive and was then sent in the Recycle Bin and deleted from it, then will I have to look for it specifically in the D drive to recover it? Or will it end up being in the C drive?

I'm asking this because I'm made a search in both drives with the file's original name and I just don't find anything. I do see some files that date back to as long as my Windows installation (months ago) but I can't find the archive that I deleted no longer than maybe a week ago (at the very most).

I'm using a free data recovery software I just Googled (EaseUS). I'd appreciate some advice on file recovery (something I should do that I overlooked perhaps?).

Thanks.

 

[Ketchup]

The file would stay in the same physical location. When it goes to the recycle bin, Windows just moves the reference to the file. When you remove the file from the recycle bin, Windows removes the reference the reference. The file will still be there until it is written over by other data. Depending on where it is on the drive, it could be covered by the very next write, or it may still be there.

One good thing is that it wasn't on your C drive. Unless you have written a lot to your D drive, there is hope.

Recuva is a good free program. Just be warned that it is almost too good (you may have a lot to weed through). It will help that you can focus your search on one of your drives, not both.

https://www.piriform.com/recuva

Your example is one of the reasons I have backups that are not in the same computer the data is on. Of course, there are several other reasons to start such a habit.

Good luck!