How to Recover Unsaved/Deleted Notepad Files in Windows 10/11

Home > HowTos > File Recovery Tips on Windows by Nancy on August 21, 2024 | Approved by Amy

Notepad is a simple text editor on Microsoft Windows. It has been part of the Windows operating system since 1983. Its small footprint and low resource requirements make it a good choice for those who need a simple way to create and edit text files.

As Notepad lacks the restore and backup features of more advanced text editors, retrieving lost documents is more challenging than other editors when an unexpected exit or deletion occurs. Don't worry if you encounter such a problem and need to recover TXT files in Windows 11/10. Here we will provide some helpful options below to help you in this regard.

Quick Navigation
Part 1. How to Recover Unsaved Notepad/Notepad++ Files
Part 2. How to Restore A Previous Version of Notepad
Part 3. How to Recover Deleted Notepad Files in Windows 11/10/7
Part 4. Helpful Tips to Protect Your Notepad Files
Part 5. Frequently Asked Questions for TXT File Recovery

How to Recover Unsaved Notepad/Notepad++ Files

If you work on a project in Notepad and accidentally close it, or the computer crashes, you will lose all your changes. Don’t worry. You can also recover unsaved TXT files from the temporary folder. This folder is where data is temporarily stored on your computer. Usually, the cache file is cleared when the program that created it closes. However, some temp files are not automatically removed, so you may find unsaved Notepad files in this location. Here are the specific steps:

  1. Press the "Windows + R" keys simultaneously.
  2. Type "%AppData%" in the newly opened window and hit Enter.
  3. Type "*.txt" in the search box. If you remember the name of the unsaved document, you can also type it directly to abbreviate the search range.
  4. Double-click the found file to preview it.
  5. When you find the unsaved Notepad file, copy it to a new location.

Tip for finding unsaved files in Notepad++: If you are using Notepad++, you will easily get the not saved items. You can understand it's a premium version of Notepad with a backup option. To restore unsaved Notepad files, you just need to replace the location with "C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++\backup" and follow the steps above.

How to Restore A Previous Version of Notepad

Have you ever changed some items in Notepad, only to realize later that you should have kept the original version? If so, you're in luck. Here are two ways to help you cancel some of your changes.

Ways 1. Use the Undo Shortcut

As any computer user knows, the "undo" command is one of the most valuable functions in any program. With a single keystroke, you can instantly undo any change, whether deleting or moving. The most common way to access this feature is to simultaneously press the Ctrl + Z keys. Suppose you made a mistake while editing the TXT file. Then you can continuously click this key combination to roll back to the previous version.

Tips: This method only works if you do not close the program. If you forgot to save and clicked the close button or unexpectedly exited, you can also try the following method to recover Notepad files in Windows 11, 10, and 7.

Ways 2. Use the Previous Version Options in Windows PC

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to delete or overwrite a Notepad file accidentally. Thankfully, Windows PC allows you to restore previous versions of your work. This can be a lifesaver if you've accidentally deleted an essential section of a Notepad or made changes that you later decide you don't like.

  1. Go to the folder where the TXT file is saved.
  2. Right-click and select "Properties."
  3. Switch to the "Previous Versions" tab.
  4. Select one from the list of versions and click "Restore."

Tips: Only enabled the backup feature, then you can follow the above-mentioned way to recover a previous version of Notepad in Windows 11 or 10. If not, you can follow the steps below to enable it to prevent future data loss.

  1. Click the Window key and click Settings.
  2. Navigate to System & Security > Backup.
  3. Enable "Back up using File History."

How to Recover Deleted Notepad Files in Windows 11/10/7

It's easy to accidentally delete a Notepad file, especially if you're simultaneously working on many different files. If you've removed a TXT file that you didn't mean to, there is no need to panic; you still have a chance to restore deleted Notepad files in Windows 10, 11, and more. But you have to act fast.

Ways 1. Check Recycle Bin

Have you accidentally deleted a file and then realized you needed it? It is easy to regain if you're using a Windows PC. When you remove an item, it isn't erased from your computer immediately. Instead, it's moved to the Bin, where it stays until you eventually empty it. So, you can recover deleted Notepad files in Windows 10, 11, and 7 from Recycle Bin.

  1. Open the Recycle Bin on the desktop.
  2. Locate the Notepad file you need back.
  3. Select the .txt file and right-click on the same. From the drop-down menu, select the 'Restore' option.

Tips: If the Recycle Bin does not have the target file or you deleted the Notepad file using Shift+Del keys. Then you can also use the following method to retrieve it.

Ways 2. Use Professional Notepad Recovery Software

Whether your text document is disappeared due to deletion, an empty recycle bin, a disk format, or a system crash, you can use iBeesoft Data Recovery software to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Mac. It is the best and foolproof solution that ensures the safe Recovery of your files, even in the most crucial scenarios.

Your Safe & Effective Notepad File Recovery Software

(Trust Score 4.7 by 1695 Users)
  • Retrieve text files deleted from your PC, SD cards, USB flash drives, or external hard drives.
  • Two scan modes ensure a high success rate of Notepad file recovery in Windows or Mac.
  • The best hard drive recovery tool can also repair damaged .txt files during retrieval.
Download for Windows Download for macOS

Download this best software and follow the steps below to recover deleted Notepad files in Windows 10/11.

  1. Install iBeesoft Data recovery software and launch it on your PC.
  2. Select the location from where the Notepad file got deleted and tap on the "Scan" option to start the scanning process.
  3. After the scan is complete, you will see the items found. Select the deleted Notepad files and click "Recover" to save them to the computer.

Ways 3. Use Microsoft File Retrieval Tool

Although iBeesoft data recovery software has an excellent performance in resuming Notepad documents, other options exist. Here, you can also use the file recovery tool provided by Microsoft. Unlike other programs, it has no user interface, and to use it, you need to remember the name of the missing Notepad file. If you can use the command line, then you can try it to retrieve deleted Notepad files in Windows 11/10 free.

  1. Download this program in Microsoft Apps.
  2. Launch it and type winfr C: D: /n ibeesoft.txt (C is the drive where the files were lost, D is the location where the recovered files are not saved).
  3. Enter Y to start the Notepad recovery process.

If none of these ways work, your last resort is to contact a data recovery service provider for help. They can assist you in recovering your lost data. But you need to pay more.

Helpful Tips to Protect Your Notepad Files

If you use a notepad to take notes, jot down ideas, or keep track of important information, it's vital to protect your notepad files from being lost or deleted. You can follow some tips to avoid situations that require you to recover unsaved Notepad files. These precautions can make your work smooth without losing your Notepad work.

These simple precautions can help ensure that your notepad files are safe and sound.

Frequently Asked Questions for TXT File Recovery

Notepad file recovery is a tricky process. Still, with the right tools and know-how, it is possible to recover deleted/unsaved/overwritten TXT files in Windows 11, 10, and 7. Here are some answers to common questions:

Conclusion

Losing important Notepad files can be a frustrating experience. Whether you accidentally delete a file or experience a power outage that damages your hard drive, data loss can seem like a disaster. Fortunately, several ways can help you recover unsaved/deleted Notepad files in Windows 10 and 11. However, iBeesoft Data Recovery can be your best rescue in this regard. So be it's engaging and intuitive user interface or the simple steps involved in Recovery, you can rely on it entirely.