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Windows Defender Deleted my Files: How to Recover Them

Seamlessly recover files with via the built-in settings

2 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Windows OS comes with built-inantivirus protectioncalled Windows Defender. If configured to detect and remediatethreatson your device,Windows DefenderAntivirus will quarantine suspiciousfiles. As a result, many reported that Windows Defender deleted the files.

However, at timesWindows Defendermay removefilesthat are not necessarily athreat. If you are sure that thefilesdeleted byWindows Defenderare not athreator have a use for them, then you may want to restore the removedfiles/folders.

How do I stop Windows Defender from deleting files on Windows 10?

How do I stop Windows Defender from deleting files on Windows 10?

1. Restore Quarantine Items

If you were wondering how to recover files deleted by Windows Defender in Windows 11, a quick solution is to find and restore them individually via the built-in antivirus.

2. Restore Quarantine with Command Line

If Windows Defender deleted the files, you could recover them all at once via the Command Prompt. This is the preferred option for many, but remember not to restore any file you are unsure about as it could be a legit threat.

Before you leave, do check themost Windows-friendly antivirussolution and get one today to get rid of such issues.

For any queries or to share which file got deleted by Windows Security, drop a comment below.

More about the topics:Windows Defender issues

Tashreef Shareef

Tashreef Shareef is a software developer turned tech writer. He discovered his interest in technology after reading a tech magazine accidentally. Now he writes about everything tech from Windows to iOS and streaming services to IoT at WindowsReport.

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Reviewed byAlex Serban