Restored data not visible/mismatched usernames

flasny80 · 04 Oct 2021

I am trying to restore all data from an older, dying Windows 10, circa 2016, to a brand new Windows 10 Version 20 H2 OS build 19042.1237. I have a paid automatic backup service which ostensibly restored the data. I can see that there is used space that seems to correspond to the appropriate GB. I can see files under user folders on C:, but I cannot see or access actual files, programs, email, etc. other than the ones I have specifically installed or downloaded on the new computer as urgently needed in the last several days. The problem appears to be:

I am using User1 as the stand-in for my originally chosen username on previous computers. Several years ago, a well-known national tech support provider reinstalled Windows for me on the computer I am replacing, and without informing me, reverted to Owner (User2). This caused problems restoring from my backup service (that had everything on file path User1) that I was never able to resolve per a previous post I made on this forum at the time. However User1 and User2 eventually coexisted on my most recent previous computer somehow. I don't recall the details, but I have never had, nor do I want separate user accounts. I am the only one who uses my computer and there are years of data. There is no way I would be able to tell which user account contains which data and log in and out constantly. Now, when setting up this computer, the Microsoft setup wizard defaulted to User3, which is not my choice at all. I just want User1, User2 and User3 folders and file paths all merged under one name so I can access my data and know what to restore if anything is missing, or delete at my leisure when I am not under pressure to make possibly hasty decisions to get rid of something. Is this possible?

I have already consulted multiple people at the backup service and one other technical person with no clear path forward after several days, and am very frustrated. I am an experienced, moderately computer literate user and can follow clear instructions and links, but am not technical, so please respond accordingly. I am willing to pay for professional help if I can understand what kind of specialist(s) I need to find, but don't want to search and pay willy-nilly for those who can't accomplish this or another workable solution. Thank you for any assistance.

Try3 · 04 Oct 2021

I think I get it but, if not, you might need to post a screenshot of C:\Users and state which folders you want to keep and which you want to rip folders & files out of.
I think your current files are in C:\Users\User1 and your old files have been put into C:\Users\User2 & C:\Users\User3.

Do this for User2 and then repeat for User3 -

Open File explorer twice and arrange them using WinKey+ArrowKeys to be on the left hand & right-hand side of the screen. This is just to help you see what you are doing.
In the left-hand window, browse to C:\Users\User1 and then to any subfolder you want. I suggest making a subfolder called Consolidation or similar.

In the right-hand window, assuming User1 is an Admin account, browse into C:\Users\User2.
It will probably stop you and give you the opportunity to give yourself access permission.
You can then go into each subfolder in turn [Desktop, Documents, Music, ...] and drag their contents into C:\Users\User1\Consolidation

Note - Do not copy the C:\Users\User2\Documents etc folders themselves, only the files & folders inside them.

I think I have just told you to do what you have already tried and that you must be getting an error message trying it. If so, please say what stops you and please post screenshots to help comprehension.

All the best,
Denis