Windows 10 removed ALL my programs (x86)

Hello everyone,

I hope this is the right subtopic.

I let Windows 10 download and install overnight.
Everything fine and well.
I log in, and see that some programs have been deleted from my taskbar, I thought Windows 10 simply removed some shortcuts for whatever reason.
So I go to my program files (x86) and see that ALL my programs have been removed.
I am a music producer and my software was installed in that folder (it always recommended that folder, so I thought it was safe). All my projects and plugins have been removed... Everything. Years of work and resources. All gone.
So I googled and saw that it's actually a 32-bit folder. I am running a 64-bit OS.

I had no clue, Windows could've warned me.
Be warned people! Do not make the same mistake as I did.

Kind regards,

Len

Well played Microsoft.

That sucks, but for reference the x86 folder is for 32 bit applications on a 64 bit OS. Many apps are really 32 bit. This is why it's a good practice to make a disk image of your hdd before attempting an upgrade of any OS. For the future you should look into the program Macrium Reflect. Macrium Reflect Free
You could try installing Recuva and pointing it at the folder and do a deep scan and see if can find anything, you would have to reinstall your programs but it might find your plugin files and work you have created. Make sure you recover anything it finds to another HDD or Portable HDD and not the same drive. Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery - Free Download The free version should be fine.

Good luck

EDIT: also it is odd it removed that stuff at all. Have you checked in the windows.old folder in C:\ if you have it?

rvcjew said:

That sucks, but for reference the x86 folder is for 32 bit applications on a 64 bit OS. Many apps are really 32 bit. This is why it's a good practice to make a disk image of your hdd before attempting an upgrade of any OS. For the future you should look into the program Macrium Reflect. Macrium Reflect Free
You could try installing Recuva and pointing it at the folder and do a deep scan and see if can find anything, you would have to reinstall your programs but it might find your plugin files and work you have created. Make sure you recover anything it finds to another HDD or Portable HDD and not the same drive. Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery - Free Download The free version should be fine.

Good luck

EDIT: also it is odd it removed that stuff at all. Have you checked in the windows.old folder in C:\ if you have it?

Thank you! You're a life saver.
I would not have found that folder if you didn't tell me.
Everything is still there :)

I hope someone else that has the same problem will find this thread.

Oh it's all in the windows.old folder? I had removed mine real quick as I had no issues after the upgrade so I never even looked inside and normally it just has the older windows folder but I guess if it finds incompatible software it throws it in there too.

Glad I could be of help.

EDIT: Don't forget to mark your thread as solved.

rvcjew said:

Oh it's all in the windows.old folder? I had removed mine real quick as I had no issues after the upgrade so I never even looked inside and normally it just has the older windows folder but I guess if it finds incompatible software it throws it in there too.

Glad I could be of help.

EDIT: Don't forget to mark your thread as solved.

Gotcha! Thanks again :)

len said:

Gotcha! Thanks again :)

NP and welcome to the forums BTW.