Lost Desktop Files

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  1. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #11

    After looking in different places this might be the first one I found with people having the same problem than me. To be honest I was starting to think it was some sort of virus and for I could read at the Windows site, they claim to be clear of fault.
    In my case I did the upgrade to W10 and everything seemed fine. A few days after that I noticed that a random pic I have saved on my desktop was missing but I thought nothing of it since it was not really that important. At some point I even thought I had deleted it by accident. But just today I tried to open a Photoshop file ( that I have been working on a day before I might add) and apparently it didn't saved it. I'd see it in the Quick Access thing but it didn't let me open it. And after a quick look I found out that other files were missing too. To my disbelief everything in that folder and a few others folders from the Desktop and the Dowloads folder were also gone along with their own files. Images, music and even video. All deleted. And the windows.old folder was also empty. I still can see all the files in the Quick Access but when I try to open one I get the "you can't open this file blah blah blah'" message. Fortunately I DO have the habit of backup my stuff, so not everything is gone forever,but the Photoshop file that I have been working on almost for a whole day? that one was lost >:|
    Honestly I don't know what to do. Because in my case it wasn't just old files, it was a new file, one that it was created AFTER the freaking upgrade was also lost or not saved all, I really can't tell. And it makes me mad because I'm always so careful with my laptop. I run antivirus/spam, I do the constant backup etc etc. In fact I just got my antivirus/malware to do a run and found nothing. I'm using Avast though, so there's that.
    It's really upsetting that this is happening. Like, if I turn on my laptop tomorrow what it will gone now? Programs? Tbh I don't know if I should go back to 8.1 and if I do the problem will be fixed? Gah!!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1
    win 8.1
       #12

    Hi guys, after upgrading from 8.1 to 10, i lost my desktop files, too. Then I clicked the restore option in settings and went back to windows 8.1 and all my lost files are recovered. Just click settings from start menu and use recovery.

    A weird issue i experienced in win 10 was about a shortcut i created which was deleted after reboot. it's really creepy.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1
    Windowas 10
       #13

    Hi guys, I made an account just so I could post this. I think I found a solution, that is, it worked for me.

    Like so many of you I upgraded to win10 and after I thought it was done, it made me log in with my password. I found a nearly empty deskop, with only a few of my usual icons and the win10 default background. So, I looked up my c:\users\username\desktop folder and transfered what I felt was most important to the shiny new desktop. Then, a while later, I had to reboot for some more updates and when I logged back in, there was my old desktop, as I had left it before the upgrade, only with the important bits I had transfered missing.

    Apparently, when you upgrade to win10 the first time it you don't log into your own account, but a TEMP user account, that is, conveniently, deleted upon the next reboot. Wish I'd known that beforehand. But I was able to recover my lost files by using the ShadowExplorer app. If it's not too late and the shadow copies of your files have not yet been overwritten you can find them under c:\users\TEMP\desktop and recover them.
    I sincerely hope this helps anyone and Microsoft fixes this issue soon.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1
    windows10
       #14

    Omg guys i have experience the same thing!! Can anyone out there help us?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1
    windows 7
       #15

    Dont be worried


    It happens to me as well. your folders and files are still dere in ur system. all what you need to do is to go to to Drive C, thats the partition where your OS is installed. go to Users, then from there navigate your document, desktop, picture, videos, downloads and music. You will see your files there.

    In the case of the cause of this problem, its not yet gotten as am stl loking for a way out.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1
    10
       #16

    I am experiencing the same thing BUT, thankfully, I can browse to the desktop and see everything in explorer. A pain yes and now (after several weeks) have time to fix it. I remember someone showing multiple desktops to me and just figured I had the wrong one
    displayed but didn't know how to switch back. I'm hoping it is that easy.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #17

    This process sort of worked for me. I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Freaked out because all my desktop files were gone, but I went into C:\USERS\USERNAME\DESKTOP and found the files and moved them to my desktop. But then none of my applications were working, so I restarted my computer and it deleted everything again! (It must not have been done downloading. After seeing this, I tried ShadowExplorer and found all my files under C:\USER\USERNAME\DESKTOP. I can see the files and I attempted to restore them, but so far have no had any success. But it's encouraging to me I at least found the files.
    Notkaeppchen said:
    Hi guys, I made an account just so I could post this. I think I found a solution, that is, it worked for me.

    Like so many of you I upgraded to win10 and after I thought it was done, it made me log in with my password. I found a nearly empty deskop, with only a few of my usual icons and the win10 default background. So, I looked up my c:\users\username\desktop folder and transfered what I felt was most important to the shiny new desktop. Then, a while later, I had to reboot for some more updates and when I logged back in, there was my old desktop, as I had left it before the upgrade, only with the important bits I had transfered missing.

    Apparently, when you upgrade to win10 the first time it you don't log into your own account, but a TEMP user account, that is, conveniently, deleted upon the next reboot. Wish I'd known that beforehand. But I was able to recover my lost files by using the ShadowExplorer app. If it's not too late and the shadow copies of your files have not yet been overwritten you can find them under c:\users\TEMP\desktop and recover them.
    I sincerely hope this helps anyone and Microsoft fixes this issue soon.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 83
    Windows 10 64-bit
       #18

    Winuser said:
    This is why it's important to make backups. I don't understand why if something is so important that people won't back it up. I'm sorry this happened. Wish I could help but without backups of the lost files I don't know of any way to get those files back.
    Not only should you always make backups, but you should never save important files/folders on your desktop. Store them in the correct user folders so that they are synced and backed up correctly.

    The desktop is for program shortcuts, or setting shortcuts to access folders quickly. It is not for storing all of your data.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #19

    A key way to avoid losing data in Windows is NEVER store ANYTHING important on C:

    That way you can mess up Windows atrociously and still keep your data (most probably)

    Partition your drive (esp. laptop) or use multiple drives.

    Use disk imaging before any important change, and regularly.

    Otherwise, you do have 30 days after upgrading to Windows to revert. If Win 10 isn't working, and you need sthg that does on your only PC, you can revert.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 3
    10
       #20

    I had this exact same problem. I can't believe this is happening. What a major flaw.
    if I revert back to 8.1 will my files be there?
    I can see the files in Shadow Explorer, but when I export them, the files are corrupt.
      My Computer


 

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