Recover a Deleted QGIS QGZ Project on Windows

Updated on Oct 21, 2026 | by Qiling

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Understand the Missing .qgz File
Check Copies and Protect the Source
Recover with Qiling Deep Data Recovery
Verify the Recovered File
Frequently Asked Questions

A QGIS .qgz file stores project settings and references to layers. It is not the same as the underlying shapefiles, GeoPackages or imagery, which may be stored elsewhere.

Understand the Missing .qgz File

QGIS saves a compressed project as .qgz and can keep a backup beside the project. Check the project folder for an earlier copy before scanning. A recovered project may open with broken layer paths even when its own file is intact.

There are three different situations: the file was deleted, its folder or storage location changed, or the file still exists but does not open. Find out which happened before running a scan. A disk scan can find some deleted local files; it cannot create content that was never saved or repair every damaged file.

Check Copies and Protect the Source

Check the project folder and Recycle Bin for .qgz, .qgs and backup copies.
Locate the referenced layer datasets separately; do not assume they are inside the project file.
If the project opens with missing layers, inspect path changes before assuming the QGZ is damaged.

Avoid exporting new maps or datasets onto the affected drive. Copy surviving project and data folders before repairs.

If the disk disconnects repeatedly, clicks, or shows severe read errors, avoid repeated scans and seek a stable copy or professional help. Results also depend on whether the deleted blocks have been overwritten, especially on SSDs.

Recover with Qiling Deep Data Recovery

Qiling Deep Data Recovery can scan storage visible to Windows for deleted local files. Start only after checking existing copies. A result in the file list is a candidate, not proof that the file is complete.

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Step 1. Check the Best Available Copy

Open the likely backup or version-history location first. Copy any surviving .qgz and related files to a safe destination. If no complete copy is available, close applications that write to the source and launch Qiling Deep Data Recovery.

Step 2. Choose the Scan Mode

Use Fast Scan for a deleted local project or Recycle Bin Scan after permanent deletion. If the first pass misses the file and the device remains stable, use the deeper scan option in the results rather than repeatedly writing to the source.

Choose Qiling recovery scan mode for .qgz

Step 3. Select the Source Location

Select the volume where the .qgz was saved, which may differ from the layer-data disk. Confirm the disk model, capacity and drive letter before starting the scan. Never select the recovery destination as the source by mistake.

Select original storage location for .qgz recovery

Step 4. Review Matching Files

Compare project names, saved dates and sizes; retain related .qgs backups when found. If the original folder is not shown, also search by file type and date. Do not discard earlier versions solely because one preview looks promising.

Review matching .qgz recovery candidates

Step 5. Recover to Another Drive

Select the best candidates, click Recover, and save them to a different physical drive. Keep the recovered originals unchanged; test copies so a failed open or import cannot damage your only result.

Save recovered .qgz files to another drive

Verify the Recovered File

Open a recovered copy in QGIS. Check coordinate reference system, layers, layouts and data-source paths; relink missing datasets from verified copies.

If a recovered file is incomplete, compare older backups and alternate scan results. Do not rename an unrelated file to .qgz and assume its contents have been restored. Once you have a verified copy, include both the native file and any required companion files in a separate backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a QGZ contain all map layers?

Usually no. Many layers are referenced external data sources.

Should I recover datasets too?

Yes, if their files were deleted; recovering only the project will not restore them.

What if QGIS says a layer is unavailable?

Check the saved path and the existence of that dataset before rescanning the QGZ.

If your project was saved in the uncompressed QGS format, QGIS QGS Projects Recovery explains the project document, auxiliary data, and external layer dependencies.