The possibility of finding a file access log detailing deleted files.

Hello,

I apparently deleted some files, though precisely when is an open question (likely within the last 3 months). I have already run a few file recovery programs to no avail. The files are mostly scientific articles, so they are replaceable. The catch is I need to know which files that were deleted.

I know that Windows is renowned for the amount of data it logs about system activity. I was hoping that there is an access log buried somewhere that I could search for the folder names and find a list of the specific files that were deleted. Also, any recommendations on the program(s) that would be helpful in doing this. I am running Windows 7 Professional x64 on a Dell Latitude D830.

Thank you so much for any help you can offer

Windows does not log that kind of thing unless file system auditing is enabled and the appropriate options set. This is NOT enabled by default. This auditing would consume a large amount of disk space in quite a short period of time unless it is very selective.

The real solution to this kind of problem is to maintain backups of all important files. There are a variety of ways that data can be lost and not all are preventable and not all recoverable. You need to be prepared when (not if) something happens.