Jan 15, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions
This guide will put you through the various methods you could use to recover lost TXT files —TXT files lost due to unintentional deletion, unexpected power failure, unsaved file, system crashes, or some other unknown cause. There are many practical ways of recovering files from a modern computer: this article covers only the most efficient and reliable ways of recovering lost files from your device.
In this guide, you will see how to use Wondershare Recoverit —a modern file recovery tool— to quickly recover lost, deleted, or unsaved files with few button clicks. We will also discuss a few alternative methods of file recovery.
A TXT file is one of the most common types of text documents. The .txt file extension represents a TXT file (e.g., unnamed.txt). The TXT file contains files written in lines with plain texts and recognized by all conventional word processors or editors. All serious computers, software, or Operating Systems can read, understand/process the TXT file without issues as it is the simplest and one of the most common text documents. Dig deep into what is a TXT file.
When considering using recovery software for recovering your lost files, the two most important criteria are effectiveness and ease of use. There are a handful of file recovery tools out there; however, Wondershare Recoverit is one interesting piece. Wondershare Recoverit is a brilliantly built lost file recovery software that brings both effectiveness and ease of use to the table. Wondershare Recoverit has a special way of digging deep into your system to recover recently or long deleted files. With Wondershare Recoverit, your chances of recovering that lost TXT file are pretty high. All you need to do is open up the app, select a location, scan, and recover!
How to Recover Lost Files Using Wondershare Recoverit:
Step 1: After downloading/installing Wondershare Recoverit, open the software and select the storage device you lost your file.
You’ll find a list of all the drives and other storage systems connected to your device on the app's main window: select the Local Disk option, as this is probably where the lost/unsaved TXT file will is hidden.
Step 2: Scan the selected location.
To scan the location you chose from step 1, click the Start button at the bottom of the window. Do you see it?
Wondershare Recoverit is capable of detecting over 1000 different file types —including the TXT file format. Relax, and wait for Wondershare Recoverit to finish scanning the location.
Step 3: Preview the recovered files and properly save them.
When Recoverit scans your device, you’ll be able to preview the recovered files. Also, you can restore only the ones you need by clicking the “Recover” button.
Please note that the only reason Wondershare Recoverit won’t be able to recover your file is if newer data overwrote your file. It is usually caused by your PC/drive’s continued usage after the files in question were lost.
As disclosed earlier in this article, when you lost a file, depending on the app that generated the file in the first place, your file might still linger in the temporary files folder if it isn’t in the Recycle Bin. To check the temporary files folder: on your keyboard, hit the windows key + R. A dialog box appears; type %temp% into the box and hit “Ok.” Search the folder for your lost file when it opens up.
File History is a useful feature ported into Windows 10 OS. File History can help you restore previous versions of lost files. Please note that this method of file recovery only works If you enabled File History on your device. To confirm if it’s enabled, go to the settings panel on your Windows 10 device and click Backup from the Update & Security panel. There, you can now see if the option of backing up your files automatically was turned on.
How to Recover Previous Versions of Files Using File History?
1. Into the Windows search bar, type in the keywords “restore files,” or “file history.”
2. Results will show up; click “Restore your files with File History.”
3. Manually check for the lost TXT file.
4. Click “Restore” when you want to save your preferred version of the “lost” file. It will be saved in the original folder. To restore a file to a different location instead of its original location, right-click “Restore” back to the location where you lost it in the first place. If you want to restore the file to a newer location: right-click “Restore” to “Restore to...” a different folder.
1. Search the phrase “Control panel” from the search box on the Windows taskbar and choose Control Panel from the displayed option.
2. Proceed to search “recovery” in the Control Panel’s search bar and select “Recovery.”
3. Click “Open System Restore.”
4. Click “Next” from the Restore system and files settings panel.
5. Select your preferred restore point from the list of results and restore.
4. Try Windows File Recovery
Windows File Recovery is a free data recovery tool. Microsoft Corporation officially develops it. Since it isn’t built into Windows by default, you’ll need to install it from Microsoft before use. While it might be a bit difficult for non-techy users to use this tool, you’ll realize how helpful Windows File Recovery could be if you devote a little time to learning it.
1. Recovering a Single TXT File:
To restore a TXT file, type in the command: winfr C: D: /n \Users\username\Documents\some_txt_file.txt to restore the file (if found) from drive C: to Drive D: In the command, you’ll notice C: comes before D: this tells Windows Recovery Tool to restore your file from C: drive to D: drive.
2. Recovering TXT File from a Single Folder:
If you know where your TXT files are usually saved, use this command to scan the folder: winfr C: D: /n \Users\username\#FOLDER#. Please replace #FOLDER# with the actual folder name(s): This recovers the particular folder.
3. Recovering all lost TXT files:
Restore all TXT files, use the command: winfr C: D: /n \Users\username\Documents\*.TXT
This command will restore all TXT files located in the Documents folder.
To see more applications of Windows Recovery Tool, please refer to the official guide: this link.
The chkdsk command utility can fix both internal and external storage devices/drives: This is especially useful if you lost your file due to a corrupted drive.
1. Click Windows + [R] key and type cmd into the box that appears.
2. In the Windows Command Prompt window, type “chkdsk E: /f” without the quotes and click Enter. E, in this example, is the drive you want to fix.
3. Accept the prompt by typing Y ‘Yes’ until you successfully execute the command.
4. Enter the drive letter again and click Enter if necessary.
If your local file system is in sync with OneDrive, for example, on Windows, your files will be automatically backed up in the Cloud. Log in to OneDrive and check; simply re-download your file if you find a copy.
Using Cloud storage is increasingly becoming helpful these days. With Cloud storage/backup, you don’t have to worry about losing your files from your local file system as you can, anytime, log in to your Cloud server and re-download such files. Various Cloud Storage Servers at your service: Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc. If you’ve never tried them out, you should. Most people now live in the Cloud! :)
There’s such convenience in simply opening your down-to-earth Notepad and typing in it. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t store important info using your Notepad, and after that, inadvertently deleted! This article has been about recovering lost TXT files from your device --not just TXT files alone, but lost files generally. We’ve discussed a few methods of recovering lost files in this article; however, Wondershare Recoverit beats all as the most advanced and yet the simplest way to recover your lost files (TXT files in this case). Effectiveness and simplicity is probably the reason why Wondershare Recoverit made it’s way to the top spot in the hearts of over 5 million users around the world who, like you, wanted to recover their lost files.
Where Does Notepad Store Unsaved Files”
Notepad stores its unsaved files in the AppData folder. To open this folder, hold down the Windows key and [R] on your keyboard; a small window will appear, type %AppData% into it and click OK. Type “.txt” into the search box in the folder to locate your TXT files.
Does Notepad Have Autosave?
No, Notepad doesn’t come with the Autosave function. If you couldn’t save your work before quitting the Notepad app, your file might be lost. However, you could check the %temp% folder.
Can I Recover Overwritten Notepad File?
Whenever you overwrite your Notepad document, don’t quit the Notepad app! Hold down Ctrl+Z on your keyboard to undo the changes. If you save the newer content, you might never be able to recover the old content.
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Amy Dennis
staff Editor