How can I recover files that I've deleted from my computer? I'm using Windows XP.

Windows' first line of defense for deleted files is, of course, the Recycle Bin. Recovering a file from here is pretty simple:

  1. Double-click on the "Recycle Bin" icon on your computer's desktop.
  2. Right-click on the file you wish to recover and select "Restore". The file will now be moved back to where it was originally deleted from.
  3. Close the Recycle Bin.

But what to do when you've already cleared out your Recycle Bin??

Fortunately there are a number of free solutions available on the internet for when you've landed in this unenviable position. One of the most popular ones is Restoration.

It allows you to either recover a deleted file from your hard drive, or you can click on the "Other" tab and completely and utterly remove a deleted file from your hard drive.