When something is lost.
WHAT TO CHECK FIRST
The recycle bin or trash.
WHAT TO CHECK NEXT
Whether the file was in a synchronised folder, which may have a deleted items area Whether version history exists Whether a backup contains it
WHAT TO DO IMMEDIATELY IF IT IS NOT THERE
Stop using the drive.
WHY
Deleted data remains until overwritten, and continued use overwrites it.
WHAT MAY RECOVER IT
Recovery software, on a drive that has not been used since.
WHAT REDUCES THE CHANCE
Continued use Installing recovery software onto the same drive
WHAT TO DO ABOUT A FILE OVERWRITTEN RATHER THAN DELETED
Check the program's autosave or temporary files Check version history
WHAT TO DO ABOUT AN UNSAVED DOCUMENT
Most office software keeps a recovery copy. Look for it before recreating the work.
WHAT PREVENTS ALL OF THIS
A backup.
WHAT TO DO AFTERWARDS
Set one up, if this happened because you had none.
