Deleting/Restoring picture files

I thought I would be smart. Since I never use or even look at most of the pictures in my picture file, I thought to delete those. Now it looks as though I've deleted the one that is displayed on my desktop as background. I wanted to save that one. I tried a Restore button but nothing restored. How do I get all those back? Or at least that particular one. Maybe there is a way to just save it?

Please advise. Thanks.

P. S. Nevermind. I found it! Windows 7 makes it easy by putting everything in the Recycle Bin. From there, I found the picture and restored it.

That does make me wonder, though. My purpose in deleting a lot of those pictures was to, hopefully, cut down on ESET's scan time. I suppose ESET also scans the Recycle Bin? If so, I haven't achieved anything. Have I?

The recycle bin is a good feature but you shouldn't rely on it. Files deleted from within an application may not go there and those deleted from the command line will not.

The best assurance against losing deleted files is to maintain backups. All files of any importance need at least one backup copy while those of particular importance should have 2 or more backup copies. Having no backups is asking for trouble. Recovery methods cannot be relied on.

Layback Bear said:

The Recycle Bin has a purpose.
It allows you to delete things and then gives you time to verify that what you have just deleted is exactly what you wanted to delete.
It's kind of a double check method. "Measure twice and cut once"
Once you are sure your choices of deleting are correct then you just empty the Recycle Bin. Now for all practical purposes they are completely deleted.

Right. Some day I'll get this all under my belt but, by then, I'll not need it any more. In fact, if it weren't for a couple of friends, I'd chuck it anyway. Not a hassle that I need.

I will not empty the Recycle bin for a while just to be sure. It must be getting emptied somewhere along the line since there was nothing in it except what I deleted today. Perhaps it depends on what one deletes.

Layback Bear said:

LMiller7 is totally correct. Some deleted items never get to the Recycle Bin. They are just gone when deleted.
I your case it was your own pictures and were saved in the Recycle Bin.

Now once something get to the Recycle Bin they will stay there if you leave the default setting.
They can be remove when you choose to remove them or when the Recycle Bin is full. I would not depend on the Recycle Bin as a method of saving anything. Its just a little safety feature that at times might save you problems.

In no way do I want to leave the impression that the Recycle Bin is designed or meant to be a proper way to save anything. A proper backup to a external is always the best way to save things.

I understand. Curious about something, though. That picture is the backup picture on my desktop. What would have happened to that if, while what I'd deleted was in the Recycle bin I'd Restarted or Shut Down? Would I have lost the Desk top copy of it?