How to Recover Deleted Files from Network Drive Shared Folder

As we know that when you lost or deleted files from a network drive, it's almost impossible for the recovery. Fortunately, we have found two ways to recover deleted files and folders from a network drive or a network drive shared folder.

Workable Solutions	Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Use Recovery Software	If you have set up the network drive on a computer, try Qiling file recovery software to scan and find lost files...Full steps
Fix 2. Restore the Previous Version	Open the network shared drive > Right-click empty space and select "Properties" > "Previous Version"...Full steps

Where Do Files Go When Deleted from a Network Drive?

"I have a network drive (T) which points to a folder on my E drive. Several hours ago, I accidentally deleted a file from the network shared folder on the disk. Soon I realized the mistake and went to recycle bin to restore the deleted file. But to my surprise, it didn't show up there. May I know where do files go when deleted from the network drive shared folder, or how can I recover the deleted files? If you have any suggestions, please help me."

Overview of network drive data recovery

A network drive is a storage device on a local access network (LAN) within a business or home, and it can be located on a server, a NAS device, an external hard drive or one of the networked computers.

When you select a file on a network drive shared folder and press the Delete key, all Windows can really do is to tell the Network operating system to delete it. Because Windows doesn't do the deleting, the file won't show up in the Windows Recycle Bin. As soon as you or other granted users accidentally delete a file or massive files from the shared folder created on the network drive, there is the best possible way that can help recover deleted/lost files or folders from the network drive. If you're trying to find a network drive data recovery solution, or you are just interested in this topic, you can read on to get the details.

Software to recover deleted files from the network drive

Since there is no shared drive recycle bin, you cannot recover deleted files from the network shared folder as easily as from the computer local hard drive. The good news is that there is capable software to recover deleted files, documents, pictures, videos and all types of files from a network drive, for example, Deep Data Recovery. This powerful data recovery software comes handy to recover permanently deleted files that bypass the recycle bin.

Method 1. Recover Deleted Files from a Network Drive

Compared with file recovery from cloud storage, for example, recover permanently deleted files from Google Drive, it's much easier to recover deleted files from the network shared folder. As you know, in Windows operating systems, here's how to share a folder on your Windows machine.

Locate the folder(s) you want to share, and you can set an option to share with any users on the computer or your homegroup.
With or without a password, everyone who is entitled to access files on your local network, could view, check or edit the files there, including deleting the files.

Windows will prompt a permanent deletion when a user is trying to delete a file on the shared drive, which means that it won't go to the Windows recycle bin but disappear from the drive for permanent. If Ctrl Z, the undo option has failed, you need to apply Qiling data recovery software, and take actions as instructed here:

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1. For home users who set up the network drive on the computer

Directly go back to the computer with the local network drive installed, like Drive D, E or F, install Deep Data Recovery to any drive except the network drive.

2. For a business group who set up the network drive on a dedicated server or NAS

You need to safely unplug the hard drive from the server and connect it to a computer, install Deep Data Recovery on the computer to perform data recovery.

Next, follow the data recovery guide to select the network drive, scan, preview and recover deleted files from the network shared folder.

Guide: How to recover deleted files from network drive shared folder

Step 1. Run Deep Data Recovery. Choose file types and click "Next" to start.

Select file types that you want to recover

Step 2. Choose the exact file location and then click the "Scan" button to continue.

select the location to scan for deleted files

Step 3. After the process, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders in the left panel. Then, you can apply the "Filter" feature or click the "Search files or folders" button to find the deleted files.

Step 4. Click the "Recover" button and save the restored files – ideally, it should be different from the original one.

Method 2. Recover Network Drive Deleted Files from Previous Version

Previous Versions is a backup and recovery feature in Windows that can be used to restore deleted, formatted, modified, damaged or lost files and folders. You are able to restore deleted files from network drive shared folders using this feature if there is a restore point that was made prior to the data loss disaster. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. In the exact location where the shared folder files located, right-click on the empty space and choose "Properties".

Step 2. Under "Previous Version", there should be a list of files or folders that were backed up at different times and dates.

Step 3. Choose the right version you want and click the "Restore" button to get them back.

restore previous version of files deleted from network shared folder