Restore computer files and data

Lena Williams 0 Reputation points
2026-10-22T01:03:52.57+00:00

My computer has lost all files and data prior to October 6....How do I restore lost files and data?

Windows for home | Other | Recovery and backup
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  1. DaveM121 946.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-22T05:18:20.6466667+00:00

    Before you do anything or move any files around

    Restart (not shut down) your PC 4 times, each time let your PC get to the Desktop before the next restart, this will fix this issue a lot of the time.

    Otherwise:

    Please open Windows File Explorer

    Navigate to C:\Users

    Do you see two user folders that look like yours?

    Open those folders and check inside Pictures, Documents... etc. and see if your files are there

    If your files are there:

    NOTE VERY IMPORTANT: Do Not copy your files into the Temporary profile you are currently in, when the situation is corrected, your files will be deleted with the Temporary Profile and will not be recoverable !!

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-22T01:05:23.9766667+00:00

    Stop using the affected drive for downloads, installations, or new files, then check whether the data was moved or backed up before attempting deleted-file recovery, because continued use can overwrite recoverable data.^1^

    1. Check whether Windows moved the files

    1. Open File Explorer → This PC.
    2. Search for the exact name of a missing file. You can also search by type, such as:
      • *.docx for Word documents
      • *.jpg for photos
      • *.pdf for PDF files
    3. Open C:\Users and inspect each user folder, particularly its Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and Pictures folders.
    4. In File Explorer, enable View → Show → Hidden items, then repeat the search. Microsoft documents whole-device searching and hidden-file checks for files missing after a Windows upgrade.^2^

    If Windows displayed a sign-in/profile error and the desktop, theme, or settings now look new: you may be signed into a temporary profile.

    • Select Start → Power → Restart—not Shut down—up to four times, allowing Windows to reach the desktop after every restart.
    • Check C:\Users for your normal profile after each restart.
    • If you find the files in your normal profile, do not copy them into the temporary profile. That temporary profile and anything stored in it may be deleted when the sign-in issue is corrected.^3^

    2. Check the Recycle Bin and OneDrive

    • Windows Recycle Bin: Open it, select the missing files or folders, right-click, and select Restore. They return to their original folders.
    • OneDrive: Sign in to the OneDrive website, select Recycle bin, select the files using their check boxes, and choose Restore. Cloud-only deleted files may appear there without appearing in the PC’s Recycle Bin.^4^

    Also inspect the local OneDrive folder under your user folder, including its Desktop, Documents, and Pictures subfolders.

    For OneDrive personal accounts, deleted items are normally restorable for 30 days; work or school accounts normally retain them for 93 days unless the administrator changed the setting. Permanently deleted OneDrive Recycle Bin items cannot be restored.^4^

    If you have Microsoft 365 and the loss occurred within the past 30 days, Restore your OneDrive can roll the entire OneDrive back to an earlier time.^5^

    3. Restore from File History, if it was enabled previously

    1. Open File Explorer and locate the folder that formerly contained the files.
    2. Right-click the folder and select Restore previous versions.
    3. Select a version dated before the files disappeared.
    4. Choose Open → Open in File History to preview it.
    5. Prefer Restore → Restore to… and select another location, avoiding replacement of current files.

    A direct Restore replaces the current version and cannot be undone.^6^

    4. Check Windows.old only after a recent Windows upgrade

    If Windows was upgraded recently, inspect:

    C:\Windows.old\Users\<your-user-name>\

    Copy wanted files from Desktop, Documents, and Pictures to another location. Administrator permission may be required. Windows normally retains Windows.old for only 10 days, and it is not created by Reset this PC or a clean installation.^7^

    5. Recover deleted local files

    If none of those locations contains the data, connect an external USB drive—for example, E:—and use Windows File Recovery. The source and destination must be different drives. Do not install recovery software or save recovered data onto the affected drive.^1^

    After installing Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store, open it as administrator. Replace <username> with the folder name shown under C:\Users:

    winfr C: E: /regular /n \Users\<username>\Documents\
winfr C: E: /regular /n *.docx /n *.pdf
winfr C: E: /extensive /n \Users\<username>\Pictures\*.jpg /n \Users\<username>\Pictures\*.png

    Enter Y when prompted. Recovered files will be placed in a Recovery_<date and time> folder on the external drive. If the drive is making unusual noises, disappearing, or reporting hardware errors, stop using it and consult a professional data-recovery service rather than repeatedly scanning it.

    References

    1. Windows File Recovery | Microsoft Support
    2. Find lost files after upgrading Windows | Microsoft Support
    3. Part of my data has been lost after signing in - Microsoft Q&A
    4. [PC or Mac](https://support.microsoft.com/onedrive/restore-your-onedrive-files)
    5. Restore your OneDrive | Microsoft Support
    6. Backup and restore with File History | Microsoft Support
    7. Retrieve files from the Windows.old folder after a Windows upgrade | Microsoft Support
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