For a Synology file deletion, first look for a copy already held by the relevant shared folder or backup system. Recycle Bin, snapshots and backups are different mechanisms with different prerequisites. Finding one available feature does not prove that it captured the file you need.
Confirm the share and deletion route
Record the DSM version, shared folder, path and approximate deletion time. Check that you are using the correct NAS and account. A permission change or moved folder can resemble deletion from a client’s view; ask the administrator to confirm the actual location before scanning storage.
Avoid clearing recovery areas or changing storage-pool configuration while investigating. If the NAS reports disk failures or unstable storage, separate that incident from an ordinary deleted-file task. Do not rebuild a pool just to see whether a missing folder returns.
Check the shared folder’s Recycle Bin
If Recycle Bin was enabled before deletion, open File Station and select the affected shared folder. Open its #recycle folder and locate the item by its original path and name. On DSM 7.1 and later, select the item and use Restore to return it to its original location. Check for newer work at that location first. Synology documents the enabled-bin route in its File Station deletion guidance.
If the candidate would replace a newer file, preserve current work first. After restoration, open the restored file and confirm the required version. If the bin is empty, unavailable or did not capture the operation, continue to existing snapshots and backups rather than enabling the bin and expecting the old deletion to reappear.
Examine an earlier snapshot or backup
Ask the authorized administrator whether a suitable pre-deletion snapshot exists for that share. Browse a candidate and copy out the specific content when the system provides that option. Consider the effect on other users before any operation that rolls back more than the missing file.
Follow Synology’s snapshot recovery instructions for the installed version and account authority. Inspect an independent backup as well. Choose the version that contains the needed content, not simply the most recent listed date.
When no existing copy supplies the file
A Windows mapped share is not equivalent to direct access to the underlying NAS storage. If a storage scan is being considered, establish an authorized route, readable media and support for the actual file system and pool layout.
For a readable Ext4 or Btrfs source, XRecovery offers remote scanning through SSH with root privileges, as well as the documented quick-scan route. Confirm the actual pool and encryption configuration before scanning. Do not assume that removing one member drive provides a complete standalone copy. If the storage is failing or its layout is uncertain, preserve configuration and seek appropriate assistance.
Keep recovered output off the affected source. Open representative exports and check important folder contents and application dependencies. Retain the original export before editing or repair. A successful restore of one file is evidence about that file, not proof that all deleted items or the entire NAS have been recovered.
For the next step, see NAS Data Recovery: Start with the Copy You Can Still Access.