Desktop files disappeared and cannot be searched or unhidden, help

I suggest you try 3rd party search software like Everything Search by VoidTools which is totally free, fast and efficient.
It's a long shot but Everything will show hidden files and folders in the results and you can right click > open to go to the folder
Everything has a portable version so you can test it without installing it. I always use the portable version

You might also want to try a 3rd party file explorer like Free Commander or Explorer++
Both are free and Portable

Good luck :)

a. You could leave Sysinternals Procmon running, leave your PC e.g. overnight or until an item is deleted from your desktop, then inspect the (extremely long) log to see what's deleted your file.

The program has very good filters, so you should be able to find actions related to your desktop relatively easily, then inspect the full log around that time.

===========================
b. Elimination
Does this happen
a. in Safe Mode
b. after a clean boot?

In the program inspect the log and search for a reference to your desktop, or the filename that has disappeared. (Edit, Find).

Hopefully your filename was quite distinctive.


How to use Procmon to Troubleshoot a Problem by Britec - YouTube
SysInternals Pro: Using Process Monitor to Troubleshoot and Find Registry Hacks

FrillyBits said:

...Everything Search by VoidTools...portable version...Free Commander or Explorer++...Both are free and Portable

Adding to those excellent suggestions, FileSeek will not write anything to the drive during its search or its display of found material. Free Commander and Explorer++ -- I like using them!