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Desktop files are missing

Anonymous
2021-07-01T17:05:19+00:00

I have an asus laptop that runs on windows 10, i turned on my laptop today and all my desktop files are gone. Granted I have dropbox and they were saved there. But why are they all missing from my desktop?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. DaveM121 879.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-07-01T17:38:34+00:00

    Hi Morgan_42

    I am Dave, an Independent Advisor, I will help you with this.

    Did you just receive a Windows Update?

    1

    Right click your Desktop, select View, is 'Show Desktop icons' turned on?

    2

    If that was already turned on, most likely, you are logged into a temporary account.

    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:

    Create a new user profile with Admin privileges

    Log into the new user profile

    Copy all your data from the old profile to the new profile (Documents Library, Pictures Library... etc.)

    If you still have not found your files, look for a Windows.Old folder on your C Drive, expand that to open the users folder contained inside - check there for your files, icons...etc.

    If you do find your files . . . etc. there, copy them out as soon as possible as Windows will remove the Windows.Old folder in time

    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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