4 Easy Methods to Recover Deleted ZIP Files with High Success Rate [Concrete Guide]
Last Updated on September 20, 2025 by Yulia Ilina
Different from recovering other file formats, it is difficult to get back the deleted ZIP files because you cannot preview the files directly. To recover deleted ZIP or RAR files, you need powerful data recovery or check the files from the recycle bin, File History, or Previous Versions. If you select a random data recovery, it will corrupt the deleted archive files forever.
Part 1: How to Recover Deleted ZIP Files on Windows 10/11
Just as mentioned above, when you need to retrieve the deleted ZIP or RAR files, powerful data recovery is required. Data Recovery is the desired one with a deep scan mode, which provides a high success rate to scan the ZIP files completely. Moreover, it also provides filter features to search for the documents within the ZIP files.
1. Retrieve the deleted or lost ZIP, RAR, SIT, and other useful data easily.
2. Restore ZIP files from computers, memory cards, flash drives, and more.
3. Search for the deleted files with different categories, names, or positions.
4. Preview the retrieved ZIP files before purchasing a license or a recovery.
Step 1: Download and install Data Recovery, you can launch the program on your computer. If you need to retrieve the deleted ZIP files from a flash drive, you have to connect the device to your computer beforehand.
Step 2: Select the Others option only to retrieve the ZIP files. Of course, you can also check the Check all file types option to restore the files within the ZIP or RAR file accordingly.
Step 3: Once you have retrieved the lost files, choose the ZIP category from the left menu. Moreover, you can also enter the name or the position in the Filter column to get the deleted ZIP files back.
Step 4: Click the Recover button to get back the file. If you cannot find it from the Quick Scan mode, you can select the Deep Scan button from the upper-right menu to have a complete scanning.
Part 2: How to Restore Deleted ZIP Files from File History
To avoid damaging the ZIP files, you can recover deleted Zip files from File History. It is a built-in feature to back up the files located in certain system folders, including Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Desktop folders. If you have already enabled the feature, you can retrieve the deleted files with the steps below.
Step 1: Go to the Start menu to locate the Control Panel option. Of course, you can use the search bar to access all control panel items. After that, you can choose the System and Maintenance option.
Step 2: Navigate to the File History menu in the bottom left corner, you can find all the backup files and folders in the File History window. Just use the left and right arrows for a different backup version.
Step 3: Preview and choose the ZIP files you want to restore. Click the Gear icon located at the upper right corner and choose the Restore to button to recover the deleted ZIP files to the desired location.
Part 3: How to Retrieve Deleted ZIP Files via Windows File Recovery
If you do not have backups for ZIP files, Windows File Recovery is another efficient method to recover deleted Zip files. It is a command line to retrieve Office documents, ZIP files, and more. However, it is too complicated for beginners who do not have any knowledge. Here is a simple guide you can follow to get the archived files back.
Step 1: Press the Win + E keys to open the This PC option. Right-click the drive that you have deleted ZIP files accidentally, choose the Properties option and make sure the File system option is NTFS.
Step 2: Go to the Microsoft Store and find the Windows File recovery app. Click the Get button to download option. After that, you can select the Run as administrator option.
Step 3: Input this command line to locate the folder for the deleted ZIP file. You have to replace the source drive, destination drive, recovery mode, and the name of the ZIP file.
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
winfr C: D: /regular /n *.zip
Step 4: Once you have recovered the deleted ZIP file. You can find a folder created with a named file in recovery date and time automatically. After that, you can unzip the file to check the details.
Part 4: How to Recover Deleted ZIP Files from The Previous Versions
Windows has another built-in feature to restore the deleted ZIP files from the Previous Versions. It automatically saves old versions of your data and even provides a chance to restore the older version of the ZIP files. Once you have found the deleted files, you can restore the file to its previous and undamaged version on Windows 7/8.
Step 1: Click the Start menu and open the Control Panel windows. Click the System button and choose the System Protection option located under the Control Panel Home section.
Step 2: You must have administrator rights to proceed. If you do not have administrator rights to adjust the parameters, you can enter the password to access the System Properties window.
Step 3: Select the drive and then click the Configure option from the list of available drives for protection. Select the Restore system settings and previous versions of files option.
Step 4: If you have already saved the ZIP files in the created restore point, you can choose the desired one from the Previous version and recover the deleted ZIP files accordingly.
Conclusion
Here is the ultimate guide on how to recover your deleted ZIP files. You can find some default features or Microsoft programs to get back the files. But there are lots of restrictions. When you need to retrieve the ZIP files or even the contained files, Data Recovery is the desired program you should try.