Windows Notepad is a basic and popular text editor. They take notes, write code snippets, and provide you with a draft of important documents. But since Notepad lacks an auto-save option by default, file loss—either from a premature close, system crash, or accidental erasure—can be irritating. There are a few methods to lose a Notepad file:
- Accidentally closing Notepad without saving it.
- Unexpected system crashes or power outages.
- Deleting a.txt file without understanding its significance.
- Overwriting or rewriting a file with incorrect content.
No worries! You can still recover your Notepad file even if you did not save it. This article will show you how to recover unsaved and deleted Notepad files.
Recovering Unsaved Notepad Files
Losing Notepad files can be frustrating, especially when important data is at stake. Notepad does not auto-save files; however, temporary files or other text editors can restore unsaved files. We will look at these methods in greater detail below.
Method 1: Recover from Temporary files
Windows can generate temporary files to restore data after closing a Notepad file without saving it. Systems keep temporary files in the Temp folder. How to identify and recover unsaved Notepad files from temporary files.
Step 1. Press Win + R to open the “Run dialog box.” Type “%temp%” and enter. Windows stores temporary files in the Temp folder.
Step 2. In the Temp folder, look for files with the .tmp extension or strange names that match unsaved Notepad documents.
Step 3. To filter and view all temporary files, use the search bar in the window’s top-right corner and type “*.tmp.”
Step 4. Open probable temporary files in Notepad to check their contents.
Step 5. If you find your work, save it immediately to a secure location.
Windows doesn’t always create temporary files for unsaved Notepad documents, so this solution isn’t ideal. The system may automatically delete temporary files, especially after a restart, so attempt to restore them immediately.
Method 2: Check Auto-saved files
The latest version of Windows 11 Notepad (11.2307.22.0) has an auto-save session state that lets users terminate without losing unsaved content. When you restart Notepad, it recovers open tabs and unsaved content, making lost work easier to find. These changes are not permanent unless you save the file directly to prevent inadvertent overwrites.
To determine whether your unsaved material is available:
- Reopen Notepad – If auto-save is enabled, your previous session should reappear with the unsaved text.
- Manually save the recovered text – If Notepad restores your work, save it immediately to a secure area to avoid losing it when the system restarts.
Step 1. Open Notepad and click “Settings ” to see if auto-save is enabled.
Step 2. Click on “When Notepad starts” and then “Continue previous session”.
Drawbacks: The Windows 11 Notepad auto-save feature only works on one device and does not sync across different computers. Furthermore, a machine restart or Windows update may wipe the session state, rendering recovery impossible.
How to Recover Deleted Notepad Files
Accidentally deleting a Notepad file can be frustrating, but there are built-in and third-party recovery alternatives. Use methods like Windows file recovery software, Windows backup, and the Recycle Bin to recover.txt files. Let’s explore the best Notepad file recovery methods.
Method 1: Recover Deleted Notepad Files from the Recycle Bin
Windows stores files in the Recycle Bin if deleted, so you can recover files from the recycle bin if they accidentally get deleted. Follow these steps to restore deleted files:
Step 1. Press Windows + R, then type “shell: RecycleBinFolder,” and click “OK” to open the recycle bin.
Step 2. Look in the Recycle Bin for the lost Notepad file.
Step 3. If you have many files in the Recycle Bin, utilize the search bar or sort them by Name, Size, Date Deleted, or Item Type to find the Notepad document quickly.
Step 4. When you discover the deleted file, right-click it and choose “Restore.”
Step 5. The file will be returned to its original place before being deleted.
Method 2: Recover Deleted Notepad Files Using Data Recovery Software
Use a recovery tool in the event Notepad is missing from the Recycle Bin. The EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard recovers lost files in a few steps. The software recovers valuable files if you inadvertently delete a Notepad file, empty the Recycle Bin, or lose information as a result of a system crash. It is simple to use but supports many different file types. This process is effective for permanently deleted, system crashes, or formatted files.
Main Features of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
- It has the ability to recover all file formats such as JPG, PNG, PDF, Docx, etc.
- Fix files lost during system crashes, malware infections, accidental file deletions, and disk formats.
- The user can preview files prior to recovery for accuracy.
- Promises safe cloud-based file storage for recovered files.
- Supports recovery of files of different types from different locations, such as HDD, Recycle Bin, SSD, USB, SD card, etc.
Steps to Recover Deleted Notepad Files with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard:
Step 1. Download the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard from their website. Install the software using the on-screen directions. Launch the software after installation.
Step 2. Select the Notepad file’s original drive on the main interface. Click “Search for Lost Data” to find deleted files. The software will scan quickly and deeply to discover all recoverable data.
Step 3. View the recovered files after the scan. Search for .txt files using the file type filter. Click the desired Notepad file to preview its contents.
Step 4. Click “Recover” and store the file somewhere safe. To avoid overwriting, don’t save the file to the missing drive. Consider saving the restored file to a cloud drive for added security.

Method 3: Recover Deleted Notepad Files With Windows File Recovery
Free Notepad file recovery without third-party software is possible with Windows File Recovery. Microsoft created this command-line program to recover lost or deleted files from storage drives. It has no graphical user interface; thus, you must use command-line instructions to recover it. These methods are useful for Windows users who are accustomed to command-line operations but not for beginners. Follow the steps
Step 1. Start the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 or 11. Find and install “Windows File Recovery.” Right-click the Start menu and select Run as Administrator after installation.
Step 2. Identify your Notepad file’s originating drive. If your deleted file was in C:, you must provide it in the command. Save the recovered file to a drive. It should be different from the original to avoid data overwriting. You must also recall the name or location of the missing Notepad file.
Step 3. Type the following in the command prompt: winfr C: D: /n \Users\(Username)\Documents\filename.txt
- Replace C: with the lost file’s drive letter.
- Replace D: with the recovered file’s destination disk.
- Replace (Username) with your Windows username.
- Replace (file name).txt with the lost Notepad file name.
Enter to begin recovery.
Step 4. The tool will find and restore deleted files with the provided name from the source drive to the destination drive. Enter “Y” to confirm recovery if prompted. After the process, check the destination drive (D: in our case) for the recovered Notepad file.
Method 4: Recover Deleted Notepad Files from Previous Versions
Restoring Notepad files using File History is another good method. If you activated File History or System Protection, Windows may have stored a previous version of your Notepad files. Follow the steps below:
Step 1. To open File Explorer, press Win + E. Go to your Notepad file’s original folder.
Step 2. Right-click the file folder. Select “Properties > Previous Versions > Restore Previous Versions” from the drop-down option.
Step 3. A list of available previous versions will be displayed. Find the latest version with your missing Notepad file by checking the dates. Click “Open” to preview files before restoring.
Step 4. Click “Restore” after verifying the version. Return the file to its location.
FAQs
Let’s have a look at the answers to the most asked questions regarding how to recover notepad files:
- Can I recover a Notepad file that I never saved?
Yes, you can recover unsaved Notepad files using temporary files. Windows often stores unsaved data in temporary files, which may help you recover it. Check temporary files:
- Navigate to “C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Temp” in File Explorer.
- Find files with ~ or .tmp names.
- Open the file in Notepad and see if it contains the deleted text.
Try Notepad’s session restore (Windows 11) for auto-saved content if this doesn’t work.
- Is it possible to recover a permanently deleted Notepad file?
It depends on how the file was deleted. If not in Recycle Bin, use file recovery programs. One of the better options is EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, which searches and restores deleted files. Command prompt users can use the Windows File Recovery Tool. If File History is enabled, you can restore past versions of your lost file. Recovery of your destroyed Notepad file is more likely the sooner you act.
- How to recover Notepad files after a system crash?
If your system fails to use Notepad, temporary files or session restore can retrieve the deleted file (Windows 11). In case that fails, check the File History backup if enabled. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can restore permanently deleted files. It searches your system and restores lost files. Automatic backups or cloud storage for important text documents can prevent future losses.
Conclusion
Notepad files can be stressful to lose, but there are various ways to restore unsaved and deleted text files. Check temporary files (TMP) or use Notepad’s session restore (Windows 11) to save a file you neglected. You can restore deleted files from the Recycle Bin, File History, or Windows File Recovery Tool.
For the best results, use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. It can quickly and easily recover even permanently erased Notepad files. With its user-friendly interface and high recovery success rate, EaseUS streamlines the procedure and protects your vital documents. Consider cloud storage and backups to prevent data loss. Using the appropriate tools and acting fast will greatly increase your chances of recovering your Notepad file.