How to Undo File Deletion in VSCode: A Detailed Guide
Deletion of files can be an unintentional and distressing event, especially when you realize that the file you deleted was important. If you’ve found yourself in such a situation while using Visual Studio Code (VSCode), fear not. There are several methods you can employ to undo the deletion and recover your lost files. Let’s explore these methods in detail.
1. Using the Recycle Bin
When you delete a file in Windows, it often goes to the Recycle Bin. This is a temporary storage location for deleted files, and you can easily restore them from there.
- Open the Recycle Bin by clicking on its icon on the desktop or by searching for “Recycle Bin” in the Start menu.
- Locate the file you want to restore. You can use the search bar at the top to search for the file name.
- Right-click on the file and select “Restore” from the context menu.
- Confirm the restore action when prompted.
- The file will be restored to its original location.
2. Undoing Deletion in VSCode
VSCode has a built-in feature that allows you to undo the deletion of files. This feature is particularly useful if you’ve just deleted a file and haven’t closed VSCode yet.
- Open VSCode and navigate to the folder where the deleted file was located.
- Press `Ctrl + Z` (or `Cmd + Z` on Mac) to undo the deletion. This will restore the file to its original location.
- If the `Ctrl + Z` command doesn’t work, try pressing `Ctrl + Shift + Z` (or `Cmd + Shift + Z` on Mac) to redo the deletion and then undo it again.
3. Using File History
Windows 10 and later versions come with a File History feature that automatically saves copies of your files. If you’ve enabled this feature, you can recover deleted files from previous versions.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the deleted file was located.
- Right-click on the folder and select “Restore previous versions” from the context menu.
- A new window will open, displaying a list of available versions. Select the version that contains the deleted file.
- Double-click on the file to open it, or right-click on the file and select “Copy” to copy it to a new location.
4. Using Third-Party File Recovery Tools
If the above methods don’t work, you can try using third-party file recovery tools. These tools are designed to scan your hard drive and recover deleted files. Some popular options include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Disk Drill.
- Download and install a file recovery tool of your choice.
- Launch the tool and select the drive where the deleted file was located.
- Start the scanning process. This may take some time, depending on the size of the drive.
- Once the scan is complete, navigate to the folder where the deleted file was located and select the file to recover.
- Choose a location to save the recovered file and click “Recover” to restore it.
5. Preventing Future File Deletions
Now that you know how to recover deleted files, it’s important to take steps to prevent future deletions. Here are some tips:
- Regularly backup your important files to an external drive or cloud storage service.
- Use the “Delete to Recycle Bin” option instead of the “Delete” option to ensure that deleted files go to the Recycle Bin.
- Be cautious when using the “Shift + Delete” keyboard shortcut, as this permanently deletes files without sending them to the Recycle Bin.
- Use file recovery tools to scan your drive periodically to ensure that deleted files are not recoverable.
By following these steps, you can effectively undo file deletions in VSCode and prevent future data loss.