How To Recover Overwritten Files (Windows Data Recovery)

Besides accidentally deleting files on your Windows PC, one of the worst things that could happen to you is finding out your files have been overwritten. It’s like you didn’t lose them but the progress you’ve made with them is permanently gone. That’s just frustrating if those files are important to your work, school, or even personal life.

But don’t frown just yet, there is still hope. Today, there are methods to recover overwritten files easily. So. If you are having the same issue, it’s your lucky day! In this article, we’ve prepared 3 easy ways to recover overwritten files on a PC. Just continue reading for more details!

Method 1: Recover Overwritten Files with Tenorsahre 4DDiG

If you want the easiest way with the highest success rate, Tenorshare 4DDiG is the only recovery tool you need. It’s a recovery program that specializes in restoring overwritten data,including deleted and corrupted files on Windows 11 and earlier versions. Yes! No matter the cause of data loss, 4DDiG can handle it.

It supports 2000+ file types. So, regardless of the overwritten file’s format, rest assured that 4DDiG can bring it back, including all its versions. That way, you can choose which version of the file you’d like to retrieve. Even if the file has been replaced by a different one with the same name, the app can still recover it. How cool is that?

4DDiG works by scanning the target drive where the files have been overwritten. Then, it will find all the versions of the files there. After that, you just need to select the version you want and recover them in just a single click. That’s how simple and easy it is. No need for complicated steps.

If you wish to try 4DDiG, here are the 3 simple steps you need to follow:

Step 1

Download and set up the app on your PC. You can click on the banner above to get it for free. Then, launch it and choose the target drive/location.

Step 2

After that, click on the Scan button to let the program find all the versions of the overwritten file. You can set the file type to make the search easier and faster. You can also use the search bar if you know the name of the overwritten file.

Step 3

Finally, select the files you want to recover and click Recover. Then, choose the folder destination afterward.

That’s it! The process is simple and easy to follow. Just make sure to save the files to the folder you can access.

Method 2: Restore the Previous Version to Recover Overwritten Files

In case you have been editing or modifying the file on your PC, you’d be delighted to know that Windows automatically keeps a shadow copy of it. This copy is the previous version of the same file and it can be restored if you want to. However, if the file has been overwritten by a different file with the same name, a previous version of it may not exist.

Step 1

Right-click on the file or the folder and select Restore previous versions. A window should pop up right away.

Step 2

There, you will see all the versions of the file. Choose the one that matches the date and time of your desired version. Then, click on the Restore button. Afterward, just hit Apply and then OK.

All the contents of the files will then revert to the previous version. Check the file if it’s the one you are looking for. If not, you can repeat the same process.

Method 3: Retrieve Overwritten Files via System Restore

Besides regular files that we use on a day-to-day basis, there are critical/system files that may accidentally overwrite, too. That’s going to be a big problem because system files play a big role in making sure the Windows operating system and its functions work well. The good thing is there’s a feature called Windows System Restore, which allows you to roll back the PC to the previous system version. Consequently, this recovers the overwritten files.

Step 1

Click on the Windows icon and type in Control Panel on the search bar. Click on it and proceed to the System and Security option.

Step 2

There, hit System and select the System Protection link. Then, click on the System Restore button. You should see a list of all the previous versions of the system. Choose the version when the system files are not overwritten.

Step 3

Finally, click the Next button and follow the subsequent instructions to restore the overwritten files.

Conclusion

Overwritten files may seem beyond recovery, but with the right methods, you can always get them back to their original state. The three ways above are the easiest, most effective, and least complicated among all the other methods we’ve tried so far. Check them out and see which one can best resolve your situation.