How Do I Recover Deleted Files From My Mac?!

[BFritz21]

My Mac was running slowly, so I rolled a program where it cleans all files that haven't been used in a while. I then emptied my trash can on my Mac.

The only problem is that I haven't worked on the second half of my book in a while and it got deleted somehow, so does anyone know how I can recover deleted files?

There's descriptions online but I'm looking for a simple description if anyone has one.

THANKS!

[Wes Mantooth]

(10-01-2020, 10:04 AM)BFritz21 Wrote: My Mac was running slowly, so I rolled a program where it cleans all files that haven't been used in a while.  I then emptied my trash can on my Mac.

The only problem is that I haven't worked on the second half of my book in a while and it got deleted somehow, so does anyone know how I can recover deleted files?

There's descriptions online but I'm looking for a simple description if anyone has one.

THANKS!

There are data recovery specialists.  It's definitely possible it can recovered, but not guaranteed.  Just a heads up though, I don't think it's cheap. (It's in the hundreds I think)

I'm not sure exactly how billing works, but I do know you pay for the time and you may end being stuck with a bill with nothing to show for it.

I'd suggest googling "reddit data recovery recommendations" and go from there.

Good luck. :andy:

[Wes Mantooth]

Brad, I did think of this. It's been awhile since I owned a Mac, but they do have something called Time Machine. It's like a system restore point. If you use it it should return your computer to a previously saved state.

The only problem is you would have had to have set this up already, prior to deleting your files. See if you have a program called this (Time Machine).

Here is a how to: https://ugetfix.com/ask/how-to-restore-mac-to-the-earlier-date/

[BFritz21]

(10-01-2020, 10:30 AM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: Brad, I did think of this.  It's been awhile since I owned a Mac, but they do have something called Time Machine.  It's like a system restore point.  If you use it it should return your computer to a previously saved state.

The only problem is you would have had to have set this up already, prior to deleting your files.  See if you have a program called this (Time Machine).

Here is a how to:  https://ugetfix.com/ask/how-to-restore-mac-to-the-earlier-date/

I didn't know but I did have that installed on my computer and I actually got back LOTS!  

Not only the second half of my book, but also copies of the presentation that I email to schools so they have me in to present!1

EVERYONE PLEASE REP THIS MAN!!!!!!!

[Wes Mantooth]

(10-01-2020, 02:06 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I didn't know but I did have that installed on my computer and I actually got back LOTS!  

Not only the second half of my book, but also copies of the presentation that I email to schools so they have me in to present!1

EVERYONE PLEASE REP THIS MAN!!!!!!!

That's awesome, dude!  I kinda thought that might be a longshot because I lot of people don't have that or set it up, or whatever.

Since, my first advice worked, can I possibly offer some more?

Definitely go out and get yourself a hand drive, or flash drive for backup.  It won't cost much at at all.  Whatever is most important to you back it up on that drive.  And if you have a 2nd computer, keep your essential stuff saved on each. As a general rule of thumb, you want a backup and backup of that. At the very least, get one backup.

Trust me, it's worth it.  The last thing you want is your computer to go caputz and be left trying to figure how to get your stuff back.

Really glad it worked for you.  I can't imagine losing all that work. :andy:

[BFritz21]

(10-01-2020, 03:01 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: That's awesome, dude!  I kinda thought that might be a longshot because I lot of people don't have that or set it up, or whatever.

Since, my first advice worked, can I possibly offer some more?

Definitely go out and get yourself a hand drive, or flash drive for backup.  It won't cost much at at all.  Whatever is most important to you back it up on that drive.  And if you have a 2nd computer, keep your essential stuff saved on each.  As a general rule of thumb, you want a backup and backup of that.  At the very least, get one backup.

Trust me, it's worth it.  The last thing you want is your computer to go caputz and be left trying to figure how to get your stuff back.

Really glad it worked for you.  I can't imagine losing all that work. :andy:

I do normally save everything to my Dropbox but, when Covid hit, I worked on it some in the beginning but then just stopped saving everything there (as well as just on my normal hard drive) like I usually do.

I also have a flash drive that I'm going to save my presentation and videos to so I can transfer my presentation (and football videos that are in it) from the old laptop (that the state bought me 12 years ago when I graduated college) to this new tablet (that the state bought me) so I can present remotely!

You honestly made a big difference in my life by helping me out with all this!

[Wes Mantooth]

(10-01-2020, 03:47 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: You honestly made a big difference in my life by helping me out with all this!

Happy to help.

I honestly forgot they even had that, as I moved from Mac back to PC a few years ago.  I just googled "Mac system restore point" to see if I could remember if it was doable.

So glad it worked out for you.
 

[BFritz21]

(10-01-2020, 04:27 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: Happy to help.

I honestly forgot they even had that, as I moved from Mac back to PC a few years ago.  I just googled "Mac system restore point" to see if I could remember if it was doable.

So glad it worked out for you.
 

It's all transferring easily to a flash drive now!  

I'm mad that I waited this long because now it motivated me to even try to transfer files onto my new laptop so I can present remotely and it's all going a lot easier than I figured it would!  

Without even trying, I figured I'd have to get the technology guy from the state or people from Thomas More University to come help!

(I live across from Thomas More and graduated from there, but it just would have been a *****, especially with Covid  )