{"id":448489,"date":"2025-10-14T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T01:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.guidingtech.com\/?p=448489"},"modified":"2025-10-15T13:41:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T08:11:31","slug":"how-to-restore-files-removed-by-windows-defender","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.guidingtech.com\/how-to-restore-files-removed-by-windows-defender\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Restore Files Removed by Windows Defender"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Windows Defender is an invaluable tool for keeping your PC safe from harm. Sometimes, though, it might take its job a little too seriously and remove files that you know to be safe. If this has happened to you, the good news is they haven\u2019t been deleted, simply quarantined. In this article, we\u2019ll show you a few ways of how to restore files removed by Windows Defender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Restore Files Removed by Windows Defender<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Windows Defender flags any potentially hazardous files, it automatically quarantines them to prevent any damage to your system and corruption to other data on your machine. If you\u2019re absolutely sure that Defender has flagged a false positive, there are a few ways to recover these files and prevent them from getting quarantined again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reclaim Your Files and Folders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The quickest way to retrieve your files is through Windows Defender itself, located in Settings. Before you get started with this method, first ensure you have admin privileges. Here\u2019s what you need to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1.<\/strong> Navigate to \u201cVirus & threat protection\u201d in Settings, and then scroll down to \u201cProtection History.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2.<\/strong> Protection History is where all quarantined files and blocked apps are stored. Click on the one (or more) that you want and confirm the UAC message allowing changes to the computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3.<\/strong> Click the \u201cActions\u201d button and select \u201cAllow\u201d to bring your file, folder, or app back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Restore a Previous Version in Explorer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A more indirect route to restoring a file is to call back a previous version of it in Windows Explorer, otherwise known as File History. This method also works for files that have been accidentally lost, corrupted, or overwritten. You\u2019ll need to have File History activated for this method to work. If it isn\u2019t, you can easily do so in \u201cFiles Backup\u201d in Settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Here\u2019s how you can make use of it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1.<\/strong> In any Windows Explorer window, right-click the folder where your removed file used to be and click \u201cRestore previous versions\u201d in the context menu that pops up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 2.<\/strong> A new window will appear. Choose a previous version of your folder (if there is one) with a date before your file was removed and click \u201cOK.\u201d File History will restore your folder to the way it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Preventing Windows Defender From Deleting Files<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prevention beats a cure, and stopping Windows Defender from removing your files (or doing it again) in the first place can be stopped most effectively by adding an Exclusion to your file or folder. Here\u2019s what to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1.<\/strong> Open Settings (Win + I) and click on \u201cUpdate & Security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 2.<\/strong> Click on \u201cWindows Security\u201d in the sidebar and then \u201cVirus & threat protection\u201d in the main window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 3.<\/strong> Scroll down to the \u201cVirus & threat protection settings\u201d and click \u201cManage settings,\u201d highlighted in blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 4.<\/strong> Scroll down to the \u201cExclusions\u201d subsection and click \u201cAdd or remove exclusions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 5.<\/strong> Grant permission to make changes (UAC), and you\u2019ll be taken to the Exclusions window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 6.<\/strong> Click the \u201cAdd an exclusion\u201d button and choose the type of exclusion to add from the dropdown list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 7.<\/strong> An Explorer window will open. Choose what you want Windows Defender to ignore and click \u201cOpen\u201d (or \u201cSelect Folder\u201d) afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 8.<\/strong> Your file or folder should in the exception list should now appear.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

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