If you delete something by mistake and it is not in the recycle bin, where else could it go?

Install and setup Everything. It is one of the best search tools available and it is free. I could not live without it anymore with my many terabytes of data.

 

https://www.voidtools.com/downloads/

It doesn't go, it is still stored, but the 'space' it is stored in is simply made available for over writing .

 

There are programs you can use to recover the data......loads if do a search....the best will cost you.

You could use back up and restore to recover your lost files. Back up and restore is usually the easiest method.

 

Open Backup and Restore by selecting the Start button , selecting Control Panel, selecting System and Maintenance, and then selecting Backup and Restore. Select Restore my files, and then follow the steps in the wizard.