I need to recover a deleted user account..


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #1

    I need to recover a deleted user account..


    I recently had to pawn my laptop computer to be able to pay my rent, I picked it back up yesterday and noticed that since they assumed I was not going to pick it back up (I was late on the last payment by one day) they deleted my user account, now none of my program files have changed but my desktop is completely empty as well as all my document files that were a part of that user account. I noticed they used a software called "System Saver, Pawn Edition" which is from White Canyon Software (Pawn Shop Software - WhiteCanyon Software)
    My question is this, Is there a way to recover all those files by simply restoring that user account? and is restoring that user account even possible? If so what is the easiest way to go about this? I have already run system restore back to the date that they installed that software, it took about 2 hours for the restore to complete but it did not change my user account back to what it was before. I really need those files that were on the desktop as I am a graphic designer and it contained tons upon tons of custom vector designs that I have amassed over the years, they are really irreplaceable. I have installed data recovery software such as MiniTool and EaseUS but I cannot seem to find a way within those programs to recover my old desktop folders. Any help or direction will be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance to anyone willing to help me figure this out as I have exhausted all my know-how and attempts thus far.
    Last edited by jgulbronsen; 26 Jun 2019 at 02:23.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #2

    It would appear that the Pawn company software has performed a reset which removes all media but retains the software "load" on the system, as they do not own the licence to the software on the laptop they would be in breach of the various EULAs for the software packages on the laptop if they intended to re-sell the laptop as-is. You may be able to use this as Leverage against them but I doubt you are in a situation to start legal proceedings.

    As for the actual missing files from the desktop you could try running a recovery software such as Recuva that may be able to recover the files, depending on how the software they used worked. If Recuva does not work then you would need to look at a pro recovery company, check local trade directories as local is often best - you can expect a heavy cost for any type of Pro recovery so you will need to consider the costs/against worth to you.

    In the future I would recommend that you put in place a backup routine for all your original creations, they are often worth more than the hardware to the creator, and will often fit onto a USB stick or two, not great news at this stage but hope you are lucky ...
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Another question, if I use a recovery software is there a particular file or directory I should look for that will contain my old use account data? Something such as where I could restore something that would give me my old user account back?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 41,481
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #4

    Also in the future you can store limited files in the cloud for free.

    For example:

    Google 15 GB free
    Google Drive: Free Cloud Storage for Personal Use

    Microsoft 5 GB free
    Microsoft OneDrive Plans

    Drop Box
    etc.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #5

    As the software has deleted the user and user folder tree, [Desktop is simply a folder under the User Name folder], If you create a new user with the same name the system will see this as a new user (users are seen as Numbers at a system level), so would not recreate the old tree.

    I am afraid that any files may just be orphans that could appear anywhere, If you use a standard template for your Vectors you could try using the search function of the recovery software to search the whole drive, otherwise it is a case of scrolling through every file available, once you find one then the others may be in the same area, but as where it's placed is based on when they were saved this is not always the case
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thank you everyone for your help, For some reason like a god send i found an old 32GB thumb drive I was gonna use to install data recovery software on and as it turns out the thumb drive had all my most important files on them, so it turns out I did back up at one time. Now I need to just get a good backup plan in action just in case. any ideas?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #7

    I use Aomei Backupper Pro ( I was brought up in the industry in a set way), but they also produce a free version Best Free Windows Backup Software for PCs and Laptops - AOMEI Backupper, also a lot of users on this forum use Macrium Reflect which allows you to make a disk image, both usually make the backup to an external Hard Drive, but you can use other media types.

    The most difficult part of any backup routine is to keep doing it ... I have alarms in my calendar at various times to prep for backups, the backups are totally automatic, but I need to connect the media, (external Drive), and ensure that there is enough free space (so I delete the oldest backups to make room )
      My Computers


 

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