Question:

How can I recover files that were deleted by undoing a folder creation after using TeraCopy to move them?

I used TeraCopy to move some files into a new folder on Windows 11 pro, but I accidentally pressed ctrl + Z, which deleted the folder and the files inside it. When I pressed ctrl + Y to redo the action, it only recreated an empty folder. I assume this is because TeraCopy is not integrated with the Windows undo/redo system. Is there any way to restore the files that were lost?

Answer:

How to Recover Files Deleted by Undoing a Folder Creation After Using TeraCopy

TeraCopy is a popular software that allows users to copy or move files faster and more securely than the native Windows file operations. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as not being compatible with the Windows undo/redo system. This can lead to unexpected data loss if you accidentally undo a folder creation after using TeraCopy to move some files into it.

In this article, we will explain why this happens, and how you can recover your files using some simple steps.

When you use TeraCopy to move some files into a new folder, it does not register this action with the Windows undo/redo system. This means that the Windows explorer does not know that the files have been moved, and only remembers the folder creation as the most recent action.

If you press ctrl + Z to undo the folder creation, the Windows explorer will delete the folder and the files inside it, without asking for confirmation. This is because it thinks that the folder is empty, and does not check the actual contents of the folder.

If you press ctrl + Y to redo the action, the Windows explorer will only recreate the folder, but not the files. This is because it does not have any record of the files that were moved by TeraCopy, and assumes that the folder was empty to begin with.

How to Recover the Files Deleted by Undoing a Folder Creation?

The good news is that the files deleted by undoing a folder creation are not permanently erased from your hard drive. They are still stored in the disk space marked as free, and can be recovered using some data recovery software.

However, you need to act quickly, as the disk space can be overwritten by new data at any time. The longer you wait, the lower the chances of successful recovery.

Here are the steps to recover your files:

1. Stop using the hard drive where the files were deleted. This will prevent any new data from overwriting the disk space where the files are stored. If possible, disconnect the hard drive from your computer, or turn off your computer completely.

2. Download and install a data recovery software. There are many data recovery software available online, both free and paid. Some of the popular ones are Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Stellar Data Recovery, etc. You can choose any one that suits your needs and budget. Make sure to download and install the software on a different drive than the one where the files were deleted.

3. Scan the drive where the files were deleted. Launch the data recovery software, and select the drive where the files were deleted. The software will scan the drive and look for any recoverable files. This may take some time, depending on the size and condition of the drive.

4. Preview and recover the files. After the scan is complete, the software will show you a list of files that can be recovered. You can preview the files to check their quality and content. Select the files that you want to recover, and choose a destination folder to save them. Do not save the files to the same drive where they were deleted, as this may overwrite the disk space and make the recovery impossible. Click on the recover button to start the recovery process. Wait until the process is finished, and then check the destination folder to see if your files are restored.

How to Prevent Data Loss in the Future?

To avoid losing your files by undoing a folder creation after using TeraCopy, you can follow these tips:

• Use the verify option in TeraCopy. TeraCopy has an option to verify the files after copying or moving them. This will compare the source and destination files, and ensure that they are identical. This will also register the file operations with the Windows undo/redo system, and allow you to undo or redo them without losing any data.
• Use the backup option in TeraCopy. TeraCopy also has an option to backup the files before moving them. This will create a copy of the files in the source folder, and move them to the destination folder. This way, you will have a backup of the files in case something goes wrong.
• Use the recycle bin option in TeraCopy. TeraCopy also has an option to send the files to the recycle bin instead of deleting them. This will give you a chance to restore the files from the recycle bin if you accidentally delete them.
• Be careful when using the undo/redo shortcuts. Before pressing ctrl + Z or ctrl + Y, make sure that you know what action you are undoing or redoing. Check the status bar or the undo/redo menu to see the description of the action. If you are not sure, do not press the shortcuts, and use the mouse to click on the undo/redo buttons instead.

We

hope this article has helped you recover your files deleted by undoing a folder creation after using TeraCopy. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!