Recover Files Deleted by Antivirus Applications

Amy Dennis

Apr 10, 2023 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

We know that anti-virus software are there to protect our computers from any kind of viruses such as Trojan and its variants that may harm the data available on our computer. But unfortunately, it's not the best option. Most of us run anti-virus scans to rid our local disks from any absolute threats to the system, but instead, it often deletes files and folders that are subcategorized to an infected file or folder.

If you’ve also suffered the loss of important data, we suggest you prevent it better than curing it. Consider utilizing the incredible data backup software called UBackit. It can safely recover all your data lost due to a usual virus scan. We will discuss more this tool and the topic of how to recover files from Norton 360 backup and from other antivirus backups ahead.

Why Does Antivirus Software Delete My Important Files?

Now, you must be wondering why my antivirus deleted my files. It’s time to familiarize yourself with the working principles of antivirus software. There are divided into two types. One is if you open a file the antivirus software will compare it with any known virus in its database. The second one is that it will automatically scan the files and installed programs to identify any crashes that may be caused because of a deadly virus or malware of an unknown origin.

Therefore, if your file contains such a virus, the anti-virus will automatically quarantine, or remove that files immediately. Even if you are using a reliable antivirus with a good virus database, it will still remove the important file if any virus is attached to it. As it keeps updating to new versions it is more likely to delete faulty files in order to increase system security.

Antivirus software like Avast, Norton, or Kaspersky are used widely as they are essential for computers and phones. They significantly increase the security against viruses and protect personal data. However, there were many cases reported stating that antiviruses deleted important system files. Let's discuss the solution to retrieve lost files and data.

How Can I Find The Deleted Files?

Considering the above-mentioned issue, we have gathered some information on how can you avoid getting your data deleted by your antivirus by mistake and how you can recover those files deleted by antivirus programs using multiple methods.

Method 1. Check Your Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin is the only place where you can find the deleted files, you can open and check your Recycle Bin from the desktop icon and see if your deleted files are there. If you find your files, restore them. If you can’t find them, move to method 2.

Method 2. Show Hidden System Files

If you tried to find the removed files in the Quarantine list, try to tick the Show hidden files option from Windows Folder Option or CMD window.

Show Hidden Files with the Help of Folder Options

Go to the file explorer option in Windows 10 or if you are using Windows 7 go to the folder options, click on the view tab, check the box stating show hidden files, folders, and drives, and click apply the changes.

Show Hidden Files with CMD

Please type the following given commands in CMD. For example, here we will show the hidden files in partition E, follow each command, and hit Enter key:

cd\

E:

Dir/ah

attrib *. -h -s /s /d

Method 3. Looking for the Files in the Programs

Most of the antivirus software comes with a default Quarantine location, that location is used to store all the harmful files found on a computer. It is considered a safe location and it isolates potential items and viruses from the rest of the operating system files. Files moved to the Quarantine are not deleted permanently from your computer, where users can restore the mistakenly deleted important files, programs, or folders to their previous location.

Here we will be discussing different antivirus software such as AVG, AVAST, McAfee, Norton, and Kaspersky. The method to recover the files from the Quarantine zone will be different for each program.

Recover the Deleted Files by AVG

Click the options menu located on the top right corner of the main AVG window and select vault. Then, choose the files you want to restore.

Recover the Deleted Files by Avast

Click on a scan from the main Avast window, then select scan for viruses, and select Quarantine from the bottom option. After a few clicks, you will navigate to the virus chest window. Here you can restore mistakenly deleted programs, and files by right-clicking on the file and selecting restore.

Recover the Deleted Files by McAfee

Click on navigation from the top right corner located on the home page, and select Quarantined items. Then, click on Quarantined or potentially unwanted software to get access to the list of quarantined items. The final step is to select and restore the required files and programs.

Recover the Deleted Files by Norton 360

Navigate to the main window of Norton 360, select security, then History > Quarantine. Then, select programs and files you are looking forward to recovering or restoring. Click on advanced then Quarantine and restore selected files.

Recover the Deleted Files by Kaspersky

Launch the Kaspersky Anti-virus program and click more tools and select Quarantine. Once you open the Quarantine window, you will see that all the risky and virus files are listed there. Now choose the one you want to restore.

Recover Files Deleted by Antivirus Software through Wondershare Recover it

You can use Wondershare UBackit as an alternative Avast data recovery software or any other anti-virus software. There are a few alternatives for automatic file backup. The one Windows is providing can be a bit complicated. Here you can use Wondershare UBackit. It is among the best automatic backup software on the internet, this tool lets you back up the files to any preferred location. Its features include:

• Automatic backup

UBackit offers an inbuilt automatic backup option, users can select a preferred frequency of their own choice such as like daily, weekly, monthly, or ongoing.

• Incremental backup

It doesn't make a new copy of the backup, UBackit will take an incremental backup point by maintaining different versions of your important files. This way 80 percent of your storage space can be reserved for more data.

• Customized filters

UBackit allows users to simply select the partitions, folders, or files they need to back up. You can also filter results based on the file type or you can enter keywords on the search bar.

• All types of formats supported

Wondershare UBackit fully supports all the main and important data types and file formats for photos, audio, videos, documents, compressed files, and much more.

• Other advanced bonus features

This tool provides an inbuilt virus detection feature to keep user files safe and protected. It also offers a preview of data and has an advanced storage management system.

We have discussed all the features of UBackit, now let's explain how easy it is to use and copy files to an external hard drive in some simple steps using Windows 10:

Step 1: Launch UBackit and choose the Backup tool

First, you will have to install Wondershare UBackit on your PC and start it to get an automatic backup on Windows 10. Just click on the “Backup & Restore” option located on the sidebar and select ‘create a new backup’.

Step 2: Choose the files/folders to back up

Once you select the file or folder that you want to create a new backup, the program will now ask you a select a source. Here, you can browse the local disks or storage drives on your computer and select the folder, files, or partition you need to backup.

If you need to select a specific file to back up, then enter the keywords with the search bar and automatically get consistent results.

There are also various filters available to select the desired data type to include in the backup.

Step 3: Select a destination to save the backup

In order to proceed further, you have to pick a location where the backup files will be restored. Here, the user can select any local disk or external drive source connected to the computer.

Step 4: Enable the Automatic Backup schedule Option

If you want to carry out a file backup solution automatically, just click on the option “Set Auto Backup” located on the top. This way you can select a schedule from the options available to take automatic file backup. You can even take it manually whenever you like.

Step 5: Wait for the backup process to finish

That's all of it! Now click the “Start Backup” and sit back as UBackit automatically backup data on Windows 10.

The software will keep you updated on the process progress so you won't have to check it. You will get a notification once the backup of files is updated so you can manage your data efficiently.

You can keep a check of the available backups and preview the files you restored to the selected location.

Bottom Line

Antivirus software are made to protect our devices from any kind of spying, destroying, manipulative or duplicating viruses that damage our data and privacy. Its benefits can’t be ignored to one little shortcoming that it sometimes removes healthy files on the system too. Now, that you have so many solutions available, be at ease that your data is secure and can be recovered anytime if you play it smart.

The lost data removed or deleted by certain programs like antivirus and cleaning tools such as Disk Cleanup, CCleaner, and Wise Disk Cleaner can also be recovered with UBackit.