Recover Deleted or Unsaved Filmora Videos on Windows

If a Filmora project or exported video has disappeared from a Windows PC, the right recovery route depends on whether you deleted the finished video, lost the project file, or closed Filmora before saving. Start by avoiding changes to the drive where the missing file was stored, then check Filmora’s recovery options, Windows folders, and backups in order.

What You’ll Need

The Windows PC and the drive where the project or video was saved.
Filmora, if you are trying to recover a project or autosaved work.
Access to the Windows Recycle Bin and any backup or cloud account you use.
For recovery software, a separate drive to save recovered files to. Avoid installing recovery software on the drive you are scanning.

Step-by-Step

Stop using the affected drive. If a file was permanently deleted, Windows may reuse its storage space for new data. Stop downloading, editing, exporting, or installing programs on that drive. If the missing file was on an external drive, disconnect it safely until you are ready to check it. Do not save recovered files back to the same drive.
Work out what is missing. A Filmora project is usually a project file, commonly ending in .wfp or a newer Filmora project extension. It stores editing instructions and references to media; it is not the same as the finished video. An exported video is typically an MP4 or another video format. If a project opens but shows missing media, the project may still exist while its source clips have moved or been deleted.
Check Filmora’s recent projects and recovery prompt. Open Filmora and look at the welcome screen or project menu for recent projects. If Filmora offers to restore an autosaved or recovered project after an unexpected close, choose the recovery option and immediately use File > Save Project As to save a separate copy in a known folder. Menu wording and autosave behavior can differ by Filmora version, so do not assume every unsaved edit has a recoverable copy.
Search for project and export files. In File Explorer, search likely locations such as Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Videos, and the folder you selected when saving or exporting. Search for *.wfp to find common Filmora project files, and search *.mp4 or the export format you used for rendered videos. Sort results by date modified and inspect likely candidates. Also check Filmora’s recent-project list for the last-used location. A project file may be small because it references clips rather than containing them.
Look in the Recycle Bin. Open the Recycle Bin and search or sort by deletion date and file name. Right-click the file and choose Restore; Windows normally returns it to its original location. If the file is not there, it may have been permanently deleted, removed from a removable drive, or deleted by an app that bypassed the bin.
Check Windows and cloud backups. Right-click the folder that previously held the file and choose Properties > Previous Versions, if that tab contains available copies. You can also use Windows Backup or File History if you had configured it beforehand. For files stored in OneDrive or another sync service, check its web recycle bin and version history; deleted items may have a limited retention period. Restore a copy to a different folder when possible so you do not overwrite newer work.
Recover media referenced by a project. If a project opens with offline-media warnings, use Filmora’s relink or locate-media prompt and point it to the original clips. Search by clip name, file type, or the folder where camera footage was imported. Keep the original filenames and folder structure if available. If the clips themselves were deleted, recover those separately; restoring only the project file will not recreate missing footage.
Try file recovery only if necessary. If the file is absent from the Recycle Bin and backups, use a reputable recovery utility or Windows File Recovery from Microsoft. Follow the tool’s current instructions and scan the correct drive. When practical, use a different PC or connect the affected drive as a secondary drive. Recover results to a separate drive. Stop if the drive is failing or making unusual noises; further scanning can make damage worse, and professional data recovery may be safer.
Verify and protect the recovered work. Open a recovered project in Filmora and check that its media links resolve. Play a recovered export from beginning to end, as some recovered files may be incomplete. Save the project under a new name and export a fresh copy. Back up both the project and its source footage, since the project file alone may not include the media.

Common Mistakes

Confusing a project with an export: A project preserves editing choices; an exported video is the rendered result. Search for both when unsure.
Continuing to use the drive: New files can overwrite deleted data and reduce recovery chances.
Saving recovered files onto the source drive: This can overwrite other deleted files you still need.
Expecting autosave to be a complete backup: It may not include the latest changes, and it cannot restore source footage that was deleted.
Overwriting the only copy: Restore or save a recovered version under a new name until you have checked it.

Tips

Save projects regularly with Ctrl+S, and use a clear project name and known folder.
Keep source footage in a stable folder. Moving or renaming clips after importing them can leave a project unable to find its media.
Enable and review Filmora’s autosave settings if your version offers them; confirm the interval and storage location rather than relying on defaults.
Back up project files and original footage to a separate drive or trusted cloud storage. A synced folder is not always a substitute for an independent backup.
After important editing sessions, save a dated project copy and verify that exported files play correctly.

Troubleshooting

Filmora opens, but there is no recovery prompt: Check recent projects and search the usual save locations for project files. Recovery prompts are not guaranteed, especially after a normal close or when autosave was unavailable.

The project opens with missing clips: Do not delete the project. Use its relink option, browse to the footage folder, and select the matching original files. If the clips were deleted, restore or recover them separately.

The file is not in the Recycle Bin: Check cloud recycle bins, previous versions, and backups. If none exist, minimize drive use and try a recovery scan that writes results elsewhere. Recovery is not guaranteed, particularly on an SSD where deleted data may be cleared automatically.

A recovered video will not play: The file may be incomplete or damaged. Try another compatible media player and recover another copy if available. A project file cannot repair an incomplete exported video; reopen the project and export again if its media is intact.

Recovery software finds nothing: Confirm that you selected the correct drive and file system, and check whether the file was stored on a different disk or removable device. Avoid repeated scans of a failing drive. If the data is important, stop and seek professional help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a Filmora video I never exported?
If the project was saved or Filmora created a usable recovery copy, you may be able to reopen it and export again. If no project or recovery copy exists, Filmora cannot rebuild edits that were never saved.

Where does Filmora save autosaved projects?
The location and settings can vary by version. Check Filmora’s preferences for autosave or backup settings, and use the recovery prompt or recent-project list when available. Do not assume a particular folder applies to every installation.

Can I get back a permanently deleted Filmora project?
Possibly, if the deleted data has not been overwritten and the storage device still retains it. Check backups first, then scan the correct drive and save recovered results somewhere else.

Will recovering a project restore deleted footage?
No. A project generally refers to footage stored separately. Restore or recover the source clips too, then relink them in Filmora.

Does Windows File History recover Filmora files?
It can if File History or another backup was set up before the file went missing and the relevant folder was included. Check available versions for the project and its footage folders.

Can deleted files be recovered from an SSD?
Sometimes, but recovery is less predictable because SSD cleanup features may clear deleted data. Stop using the drive promptly, check backups, and avoid installing recovery tools on it.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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