Possible to recover permanently deleted files windows server 2016?

The best way is to recover deleted files from a local or cloud backup. However, if you didn't take backup or unable to find the deleted files from backup, then you have to use a dedicated data recovery software instead. They can scan the deleted files deeply and restore them afterwards.

Here is the recommended method I followed previously and successfully recovered dozens of deleted word and images on my Windows Server 2016. 

https://www.gicmodo.com/recover-deleted-files-on-windowws-server

Note: Before data recovery, don't copy new files to the Windows server in case of data overwriting. This will increase the difficulty of recovering deleted files.

Don't worry, Windows Server 2016 comes with some features that can try to permanently deleted files windows server files. You can try these methods first to see if you can get the files back:

1. Check whether the "File History" or "Shadow Copies" function is enabled
2. If you have enabled "File History" or "Shadow Copies" before, that's great!
3. Right-click on the target folder -> Select "Properties" -> Find the "Previous Versions" tab.
4. The backed-up versions will be listed here, and you can directly restore the deleted files.

Restore files using Windows Server Backup

If your server runs Windows Server Backup regularly, the files may have been backed up.
Open "Windows Server Backup" -> Find the most recent backup -> Browse for files or folders to restore.
Select the files you need to restore and restore them to the original location or a new location.

Alright, so let’s talk about the Windows File Recovery Tool and the downsides you might run into when trying to recover permanently deleted files on Windows Server 2016. This tool is a command-line function, and if you’re not comfortable with the Command Prompt, it can be a bit of a headache. It’s not exactly user-friendly, and if you’re like me, you’ll probably fumble around with the syntax a few times before getting it right. One wrong character and it’s like the command just laughs at you. 

Unlike other third-party recovery software that come with a fancy interface to guide you through the recovery process, this tool is all text-based. If you’re used to having things point-and-click, this could be a bummer. Navigating through files and options using commands can feel tedious and intimidating, especially if you’re in a hurry.

The Windows File Recovery Tool works best for certain file types and specific situations, but it doesn’t support everything. For instance, if you're dealing with complex file systems or you need specialized image or video recovery, you might find it lacking. It’s like being in a candy store and realizing they only have chocolate. 

The Windows File Recovery Tool is a command-line utility developed by Microsoft for recovering deleted files on windows server 2016 as well as other Windows operating system. It’s available for free from the Microsoft Store and is particularly useful for recovering files that have been accidentally deleted, formatted, or lost due to corruption.

Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store. Open Command Prompt and use the syntax:

winfr <source-drive>: <destination-drive>: /mode /n <file-type-or-path>

The Windows File Recovery Tool is a powerful and reliable solution for file recovery on Windows, especially if third-party tools aren’t an option. For best results, act quickly to prevent overwriting deleted data.

About how to recover permanently deleted files on Windows server 2016. Some people just want to jump right into the recovery process without thoroughly scanning the system first. Rushing can lead to missing out on recoverable files that might be hidden. Take your time and let the software do its job completely. It might take a while, but those files could be worth the wait!

When you’re scanning for recovery, be mindful of the file types you're looking for. Using specific filters can make the process more efficient. If you’re trying to recover .docx files, focus your efforts there. I’ve wasted a lot of time scanning everything under the sun, only to realize I needed to narrow things down.

If the file you deleted was part of a critical system component or an application, recovering it without knowing the context could lead to system instability. Be careful about what you’re restoring, especially in a server environment. It might be a simple document you’re after, but if it’s tied to something crucial, you could cause a snowball effect of issues.

Once you realize a file is gone, the first thing you want to do is try to recover permanently deleted files on Windows server 2016 as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the higher the chance that the space occupied by those deleted files gets overwritten by new data.

If you find yourself really out of options, Microsoft does have some built-in features like Shadow Copies (if you’ve enabled File History) that can help you recover previous versions of files. You can also leverage Windows Server Backup for even more robust backup solutions going forward.

Speaking of Windows File Recovery, this is a free tool from Microsoft that is specifically used to recover permanently deleted files on Windows server. It is a bit technical because it is a command line operation, so interface fans may find it troublesome, but the effect is still good.

How to use this tool?

1. Open the Microsoft Store, search for Windows File Recovery, and install it (remember to operate in a network environment).
2. If your server does not have a store, you may need to install the tool on Windows 10/11 first, and then copy it to the server to run it.

winfr source disk: target disk: /n <file path or type>

Open the command prompt (administrator mode).

3. For example, if you want to restore files on the C: drive to the D: drive, you can use:

winfr C: D: /n *.docx

The above will retrieve all .docx Word files.

The success rate of this tool depends on whether the data has been overwritten. The sooner you do it, the better!
Although the command looks scary, you will get used to it after using it a few times. The official documentation is also very detailed. If you don't know how to use it, you can check it out.

Try it now, maybe you can get your files back!

If you have regular backups configured (e.g., via Windows Server Backup or third-party solutions), restore the deleted files from the most recent backup.

How to recover permanently deleted files windows server 2016 from Backup:

1. Open Windows Server Backup.
2. Select Recover from the right-hand menu.
3. Choose the backup date and location.
4. Follow the wizard to restore the required files.

Tip: Always set up automatic backups to avoid data loss in the future.