Desktop Files Disappear


  1. tbm
    Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #1

    Desktop Files Disappear


    Over the past week, my desktop has been acting up. My files keep being deleted from my desktop. I used Everything Search to see if the files are just being moved, and they're not. They're completely wiped out. I ran a Windows Defender and it didn't come up with anything. I can't think of any software that would be causing it. Anyone have any ideas?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,888
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello tpm, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    When this happens, does it affect all files or just some types?

    If you haven't already, you might also check to see if the file may just be hidden on your desktop.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/6...dows-10-a.html
      My Computers


  3. tbm
    Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    It's every file type. It's only my account's files (as in, not shortcuts from the public desktop).
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,888
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    Were they hidden?

    If not, then you might see if step 3 in OPTION TWO of the tutorial below to restore the default location of your Desktop may help in case it may not be correct.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html
      My Computers


  5. tbm
    Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    This isn't my problem either. The location is fine. The files are literally being deleted off my hard drive somehow. It has nothing to do with the location as I had mentioned in my original post that I searched to see if the files were in another location and they are not. :/
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1
    Windows 10 64-bit
       #6

    Same problem here.


    tbm said:
    This isn't my problem either. The location is fine. The files are literally being deleted off my hard drive somehow. It has nothing to do with the location as I had mentioned in my original post that I searched to see if the files were in another location and they are not. :/
    I turned my computer on earlier this week and had lost about 15 - 20 files from the Desktop, which are now nowhere on the computer (luckily most were backed-up elsewhere, though some are a little out-of-date). Did this very worrying problem get resolved?

    update: I have managed to retrieve most of them using Recuva, a free deleted file recovery program. It would be worth anyone who is worried about this problem installing it, or something similar, as soon as possible, and then running it as soon as the loss of files is noticed, before any of them get overwritten - don't wait until files are lost to install such a program, as the installation may overwrite some of the deleted files.
      My Computer


  7. tbm
    Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    LesW said:
    I turned my computer on earlier this week and had lost about 15 - 20 files from the Desktop, which are now nowhere on the computer (luckily most were backed-up elsewhere, though some are a little out-of-date). Did this very worrying problem get resolved?

    update: I have managed to retrieve most of them using Recuva, a free deleted file recovery program. It would be worth anyone who is worried about this problem installing it, or something similar, as soon as possible, and then running it as soon as the loss of files is noticed, before any of them get overwritten - don't wait until files are lost to install such a program, as the installation may overwrite some of the deleted files.
    Nope. To this day I still have the problem. I have run virus scans but nothing has come up.
      My Computer


 

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