Ctrl Z in Explorer didn't undo - it deleted and I cannot restore the files!

Question

I accidentally overwrote a file I was trying to move the other direction. I hit ctrl+Z to undo. This instead deleted all of the files in the folder!! They are nowhere on the computer. They are not in the Recycle Bin. File recovery had nothing.  Please help me!

Answer 1

Hi Mélanie,

Welcome to Microsoft community forums.

If the deleted files are not in the recycle bin or if you are not able to search these files, read the following:

Microsoft Windows doesn’t support data recovery.

When a file is deleted from your computer, its contents aren't immediately destroyed. Windows simply marks the hard drive space as being available for use by changing one character in the file table. If you manage to start an undelete process before Windows overwrites that part of hard disk with new files. You can set that flag back to "on" and get your file.

You can try searching the website for third party data recovery tools and check if it helps:

Disclaimer: Using Third Party Software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Third Party Software can be solved. Using Third Party Software is at your own risk.

Hope this information helps. If you need further assistance with Windows, let us know and will be glad to help.

Answer 2

Thank you for your quick reply. I did install this third party software but it wasn't able to find anything but the newest version of the file that I just created.

The biggest question I have is not how to recover the file so much as why was it deleted in the first place? I did not delete this file. Why would ctrl +Z the delete files? Where did they go? 

This is not the first time windows 8 has randomly deleted files. It has gotten to the point where I simply do not trust this operating system.

Answer 3

Hi Melanie,

Thanks for the update. I would like you to know couple of things about undo and redo:

1. The CTRL-Z undo function replaces the cut data to the exact place it was cut from. If you tried to do the Ctrl-Z to a different spot it doesn't replace on the 1st attempt and may not replace at all. This means you never really completed the undo function properly and the file should be still on your clipboard until you changed, overwrote or restart the computer. You could have used Redo function by pressing Ctrl + V.
2. You could have accidentally dropped your file in the wrong place / folder. If it was a small file you wouldn't even see it.
3. Most deleted files can be recovers on memory devices. Smart move not to write over on either device until you attempt to retrieve your files using a recovery software.

Hope this information helps. If you need further assistance with Windows, let us know and will be glad to help.

Answer 4

Just had a lot of work wiped out by this pathetic situation. I've used every windows since 3.7, and now use Windows 10 and never discovered this flaw. A warning box would have prevented this, and the loss of all the photos and files that previous commenters have reported. Where is the logic here, Microsoft?

This post sounds a lot calmer than I actually feel at the moment.

Answer 5

Oh MélanieHope - I'm only replying to commiserate with you on this shockingly absurd design flaw in Windows 8/7/XP - I just lost and entire set of photos from our family vacation when I accidently hit Control-Z (thought a different window was active) and when I tried to hit Control-Y redo it could no longer find the SD card location (of course).

astounding - there is no warning that WIndows 8 will permanently delete your files in this scenario. (!!??)

A simple warning pop-up box would suffice. That's all - misery avoided.

It's simple (but brutal) little design flaws like this that really infuriate people - and that residual head-crushing angst that slowly sets in is a feeling of being trapped - because due to the "miracle of the free market" we have a whopping **two (2)**OS's to chose from - the switching cost often too substantial for most to bare - the non-existent competition always pushing the string of "innovation" - pardon the cynicism (it's useless or worse, I know). Really shoulda deleted this useless venting paragraph. 

Although any response is appreciated (thank you John) it's this peculiar kind of sterility in the tone and content (all with goodwill) that somehow triggers this limbic level urge to take a butcher knife to my laptop screen. Again, my problem, not John's

• he's bringing positive energy with good intent (very appreciated).

What I want to hear from John or his equivalent / the Windows product team / Congress / the UN / anyone is: 

"yes, I know, insane right? I'm so sorry, this **** is ridiculous, you'd think we'd pay especially close attention to any and all scenarios where users could accidentally lose personal files permanently (especially non-recreatable photos) because we know nothing elses triggers more rage - regardless we'll be escalating the warning feature (pop-up/dialogue box)  for irrevocable Control Z deletions in release XXX.XXX.XX - thank you for highlighting another silly (but often brutal) oversight in our software - we know this has been an issue for many years - time to finally correct it!"

I am not some fumbling senior-citizen who gets the right and left mouse button functions mixed up regularly - I'm a systems and software architect (15 years) and I'm reminded of the basic principle of isolating those scenarios that would cause the most rage/despair/violent equipment destruction in your user/the human being (there are an isolatable few situations) and give special attention to eliminating/accommodating those events - even for the feeble, techno-clumsy among us - like me.

seriously, please - just build a warning pop up box.

That's all, please.

don't' let this happen to another person. (not another "user") - we are real people clicking on important virtual stuff - people with 8 year old sons who were body surfing in Lake Michigan last week - the pictures were amazing - you shoulda seen em.

Thank You 

I love you - all of you.