In this article, you will learn why PNG files are often deleted or corrupted from your system. It also presents various methods to recover them within minutes.

Due to its support for transparency and lossless data compression, PNG is one of the frequently used photo formats across the world. The word PNG is a short form of Portable Network Graphics. Like any other photo format, PNG files are also prone to corruption and accidental deletion.

Whether you are an entrepreneur who has lost key captures from the product development journey or a photographer who has lost important clients’ data, this article provides dependable solutions to recover corrupted PNG files.

In this read, you will first go through the potential reasons behind losing PNG photos. Later, it lists various methods to recover deleted PNG files from your computer and presents actionable tips for preventing the loss of your photos in the future.

Part 1. When are the PNG Files Lost from Your Computer?

Before getting into the specifics of performing a PNG file recovery, let’s first look at the reasons behind this issue.

1. Software Bugs: If a photo editor crashes while processing your image, you may experience data loss. Other software issues may lead to a similar situation.
2. Sudden Power Off: If your laptop’s battery is low, it may turn off before you save your work. It can also cause the loss of PNG files.
3. Formatting: When you format the drive without backing up the data, you may lose all the files, including PNG photos.
4. Accidental Deletion: It is one of the common reasons behind the loss of PNG files. It happens due to human error, and millions of users worldwide face this issue.
5. Water Damage: It is a type of physical damage that badly affects the internal hard drive. As a result, all of the data may be erased.
6. Malware Infections: When your system is connected to an active internet connection, viruses enter the drives where you store data files and corrupt them.

Part 2. How to Recover Deleted PNG Files without Any Software?

Now, you know the reasons why PNG files are usually lost. Remember, each situation needs a different solution. This section presents four quick methods to retrieve your deleted or corrupted PNG files.

1. Recycle Bin/Trash

The photos that are temporarily deleted from your Windows computers are sent directly to the Recycle Bin. Here, they stay for a few days before getting deleted permanently. You can easily find this folder on your desktop. The best thing about this method is that it recovers your photos in a matter of seconds. Here is how you can restore deleted PNG files from the Recycle Bin.

Step 1: Click the Recycle Bin folder on the desktop.

Step 2: Find the PNG files you want to recover.

Step 3: Click on the desired image and hit the Restore option.

Have you lost PNG files on your Mac? They may be in the Trash. Let’s look at how to recover them from the Trash within less than a minute.

Step 1: Tap on the Trash icon.

Step 2: Find the PNG image you want to restore.

Step 3: Right-click the desired PNG file and click Put Back.

2. Use an Undo Option

This is the most efficient way to recover PNG files that have been deleted mistakenly. The Windows File Explorer allows you to undo the last operation with an Undo option. Suppose you have just lost a PNG file by an accidental deletion. Following these steps will help you get them back in no time.

Step 1: Tap on the three-dot icon in the File Explorer.

Step 2: Click the Undo option, as shown below. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut (CTRL + Z) to perform the same operation.

3. File History

It is a pre-built backup feature in Windows operating systems. With File History, you can easily recover previous versions or deleted PNG files. Remember, this feature will only work if you have enabled it before your files were lost. Here is how you can retrieve your lost PNG photos from File History.

Step 1: Open the Control Panel on your Windows OS.

Step 2: Tap Systems and Security.

Step 3: Choose File History from the list.

Step 4: Select the Restore your files with File History option. Now, you will see different backup files created at different times. Pick the version that has your lost PNG files.

Step 5: Hit the green button to restore the selected files on your computer.

4. Recover Deleted PNG Files Using Backups

If Windows Backup and Restore utility is enabled on your computer, it will create automatic backups of your PNG photos and other data. When you experience sudden data loss on Windows 10 and 11, the backup feature enables you to recover them like never before. Let’s look at how you can perform an instant PNG recovery with Windows Backup and Restore.

Step 1: Access Control Panel on your system.

Step 2: Click Summary and Security and choose Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 3: If the backup exists, hit the Restore my files option. Otherwise, the File Explorer will ask you to set up the backup for the future.

Step 4: It is time to choose either Browse for files or Browse for folders to recover corrupted PNG files. If you browse for folders, you will not see individual files.

Step 5: The system will ask you to choose from restoring your PNG photo to a new destination or the original place. It is advisable to restore the files to a different location.

Part 3. Restore Corrupted/Deleted PNG Photos with a Data Recovery Tool

If you still can’t recover PNG files from your system, using a third-party, free data recovery software will help you do the job. This is where Recoverit – Photo Recovery lends you a helping hand.

It is an incredible read-only tool, particularly known for restoring lost or permanently deleted photos. If you are a new user, you can download this software for free and test its data recovery features. Below is a list of key features that make Recoverit stand out.

• It helps you with photo recovery from 500+ scenarios.
• This tool supports 1,000+ file formats and 2,000+ storage devices.
• It offers a successful recovery rate of 99.5%.
• Real-time preview, patented technology, and comprehensive scanning add more value to its credibility.

How to Recover Deleted PNG Files Using Recoverit?

All you need to do is follow the steps below.

Step 1: Download Wondershare Recoverit and install it on your computer.

Step 2: Open the software, go to Hard Drives and Locations, and choose the location where you lost your PNG files. Then, tap on Start.

Step 3: Recoverit will initiate an automatic scan to find the lost or deleted PNG files you want to recover. At the bottom of the window, you can monitor the scanning’s real-time progress.

Step 4: Wait for the scan to complete. Then, click the Preview button to see if this is the right image.

Step 5: If it shows the preview of the image you want to restore, hit the Recover button, and save it to a new location on your system.

Part 4. How to Prevent PNG File Loss in the Future?

Now, you know how to perform a PNG file recovery. Here is how you can keep yourself away from experiencing similar situations again.

• Incorporate routine backups into your digital workflow.
• Don’t forget to enable File History.
• Always eject external drives safely.
• Use dependable storage devices.
• Update software programs regularly.
• Install a trustworthy antivirus program.

Last Thoughts

If your JPG files are accidentally deleted or lost, don’t worry, as you are not alone. Millions of others experience similar things worldwide. You can check the Recycle Bin/Trash, backup files, and File History to recover deleted PNG files. Using the Undo option also works sometimes.

If these methods don’t work for you, there is nothing better than recovering your PNG photos with a reputable third-party data recovery solution like Recoverit. It perfectly works for both Windows and Mac operating systems. Moreover, it guarantees 100% security and safety while restoring your PNG files.

FAQs

Is it possible to restore permanently deleted PNG images?

Yes, some advanced data recovery software allows you to recover permanently deleted PNG photos. However, they only work if the files are not overwritten.

How does a PNG file get corrupted?

A couple of factors contribute to corrupting PNG files, including but not limited to bad sectors, software issues, sudden power outages, virus infections, and hardware failures.

Can I preview deleted PNG photos before recovering them?

Yes, modern data recovery tools, like Recoverit, allow you to preview the deleted or lost PNG files before you recover them on your computer. This feature helps you ensure what to recover and what not.