"Windows Update Removed All Files from My Desktop"

"Two days ago, I made the decision to update my Windows. Upon completing the update, I observed that the files on my desktop had vanished. Consequently, I utilized the Windows search function to locate them. I was able to find them and restored them to the desktop as they were prior to the update. Additionally, my wallpaper and several settings had been altered. However, the following day, these files disappeared again and I am unable to retrieve them. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated." - from Microsoft Community

If you're a Windows 10 user, you understand that updates are crucial for maintaining a smooth computer experience. However, occasionally, an update might result in the disappearance of important files. If you find yourself in this situation, don't worry – here are five methods to help you restore lost files following a Windows 10 update.

Method 1: Recover Lost Files After Windows Update from the Recycle Bin

One of the most frustrating experiences is losing files following a Windows 10 update. Fortunately, there are several methods to recover lost files after a Windows 10 update, and the most effective approach often depends on the circumstances that led to the loss. A commonly used method is to check the Recycle Bin in Windows 10 for the missing files.

If the files were deleted prior to or during the update, they should be found in the Recycle Bin. To retrieve lost files after a Windows 10 update from the Recycle Bin, follow these steps: 1. Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop by clicking on its icon. 2. Inside the Recycle Bin, look for the files that you lost after the update. You can use the search bar at the top-right corner to filter by file name or type if necessary. 3. Once you've located the desired files, right-click on each one and select "Restore" or simply drag them back to their original location on your computer. 4. The restored files should now be back in their original folders, as if they were never deleted. If the files are not in the Recycle Bin, you may need to explore other recovery options, such as using data recovery software.

Step 1. Click on the Recycle Bin icon located on your desktop or taskbar.

Step 2. Locate and right-click the files you wish to recover, then select "Restore".

recover lost files after Windows 10 update with recycle bin

您的文件将被发送到原始位置。

Method 2: Recover Lost Files After Windows 10 Update Using Software

If you've experienced file loss after a Windows 10 update, don't worry. The Data Recovery Wizard is a reliable and efficient data recovery solution that can assist you in easily recovering deleted files on Windows 10. This user-friendly software is capable of retrieving various types of files, such as photos, videos, documents, and more. Simply launch the application, choose the location where your files were lost, and let the software scan for and recover the missing files.

Download this data recovery software and follow the steps outlined below to retrieve lost files from Windows 10.

Step 1. Install and launch the file recovery software on your Windows computer. Select the specific location where you lost the files and click the "Scan" button.

Select a location to scan

Step 2. The software will immediately begin scanning the drive, and the deleted files will be displayed shortly. If you locate the needed files during the scan, you can stop the process. To quickly find the target file, utilize the file format filter option.

Select files to recover

Step 3. Select the files you want to recover, such as Word documents, Excel sheets, PDFs, photos, videos, or emails, and then click the "Recover" button. You can choose a different location to save the recovered files.

Recover lost data

Method 3: Recover Lost Files After Windows 10 Update Using Backup If you have previously created a backup of your system, you can utilize it to restore the lost files after a Windows 10 update. Here's how: 1. **Access Backup Settings**: Click on the Start button, type "Control Panel" and open it. In the Control Panel, choose "System and Security" and then click on "Backup and Restore." 2. **Choose a Backup**: In the Backup and Restore window, select "Restore my files" or "Restore all users' files." If prompted, insert the backup media or navigate to the backup location. 3. **Locate Lost Files**: Follow the on-screen instructions to browse through the backed-up data and locate the files that you need to restore. 4. **Preview and Restore**: Preview the files if possible, and then initiate the restoration process. The system will guide you through the necessary steps. 5. **Wait for Completion**: Be patient as the recovery process may take some time, depending on the size of the files and the speed of your storage device. 6. **Reboot and Verify**: Once the restoration is complete, restart your computer and check if the lost files are now accessible in their original locations. Remember, this method only works if you've previously set up a backup using the built-in Windows Backup feature or a third-party backup solution. If you haven't created a backup, you may need to explore other recovery methods.

Things would be simpler if you had created a Windows backup of your files prior to the update. In that case, you can proceed with the steps below to restore lost files from the Windows backup.

Step 1. Click the "Start" button, type "Control Panel" in the search box, and then choose it from the results.

Step 2. Choose "Backup and Restore (Windows 7) > Select another backup to restore files from" and pick the backup you want to use.

Step 3. Select the files you wish to recover and click "Next".

recover lost files with Windows 10 backup

If you're using Windows 10's File History feature to back up your files, you can also restore them easily with just a few steps.

Method 4: Sign Out of the Temporary Profile to Recover Missing Files

Following a Windows 10 update, you might find yourself logging into a temporary profile rather than your main one. Temporary profiles resemble standard user accounts, but any modifications made won't be saved once you log out. Consequently, logging out of this temporary profile can help you regain access to lost files in Windows 10.

Step 1. Right-click on "Start" and choose "Settings".

Step 2. Click "Accounts > Sync your settings".

Step 3. If you're using a temporary profile, you'll see the message "You are logged on with a temporary profile. Roaming options are currently unavailable" at the top.

recover lost files with temporary profile Translation:

Step 4. Restart your computer and log in to your main user profile.

Your lost files should now be back on your computer. If you still can't locate your missing files, proceed to the final solution.

Method 5: Recover the Administrator Account to Restore Lost Data

The Administrator Account is a concealed account that is created during the initial setup of Windows 10. This account possesses complete access to all files on the computer, including those that are typically inaccessible. Consequently, you can recover lost files by reactivating or accessing the Administrator account.

Step 1. Type "Computer Management" in the Search box and select "Computer Management".

Step 2. Navigate to "Local Users and Groups > Users > Administrator."

Step 3. Uncheck the "Account is disabled" checkbox and click "Apply" to enable the Administrator account.

Enable Administrator account

Next, log in with the Administrator account, and your data should become visible.

Upon logging into the Administrator account, you should be able to access all your data. Use this opportunity to transfer all your data to the new account you have created.

Conclusion

Regardless of the method you opt for, make sure to regularly back up your computer data to safeguard against future system crashes or failures. Losing data can be a frustrating ordeal, but with these methods, you can promptly and effortlessly recover lost files following Windows 10 updates.

Frequently Asked Questions on Recovering Lost Files After Windows 10 Update

This article outlines five methods to recover lost files following a Windows 10 update. Depending on your specific circumstances, one of these approaches may assist you in retrieving your files. If you have any questions or require additional assistance, please refer to the questions and answers section below.

1. Where are my files after the Windows 10 update? After updating to Windows 10, your files should still be in their original locations, unless they were specifically moved during the update process or you had chosen to perform a clean installation. To locate your files, follow these steps: 1. **Desktop**: Files on your desktop should still be there after the update. 2. **My Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music**: These folders are usually located in your user folder. To access them: - Press `Win + E` to open File Explorer. - Click on "This PC" or "Computer" on the left sidebar. - Double-click on "Users," then double-click on your user account name. - Look for folders like "Documents," "Pictures," "Videos," and "Music." 3. **Downloads**: The "Downloads" folder is typically in your user folder as well. Follow the steps above to access it. 4. **Custom Folders**: If you've moved your files to custom locations, navigate to those folders. 5. **Search**: If you're unable to find a specific file, use the search function by typing its name in the search bar at the top-right corner of the File Explorer window. If you still can't locate your files, it's possible that the update encountered an issue or you may have unintentionally selected a setting to remove previous versions of Windows during the upgrade process. In such cases, consult Microsoft's support resources or seek professional assistance.

The files are stored on the hard drive. To locate your files in Windows 10, you can use the search function. Right-click on the Start menu, select File Explorer, and then choose a location from the left pane to search or navigate through.

2. Will upgrading to Windows 11 erase everything?

Does updating to Windows 11 delete files? Find the answer here:

No, upgrading to Windows 11 won't delete your data as long as you choose the "Keep personal files and apps" option during the upgrade process.

3. How to retrieve lost files after a Windows update?

To recover lost files after a Windows update:

    1. Download and install the tool Data Recovery Wizard on your computer. 2. Select the drive where your data was located, then click on Scan. 3. Once the scan is finished, preview the recovered files. 4. Review the found data and check the boxes next to the files you wish to restore. 5. Click on Recover to retrieve the lost files after an update.