Ctrl + Z erased data

Question

I was working on editing together a compilation of clips of me and my friends. When I went to get a new clip to add to the editing software, I accidentally dragged a video into another folder. I thought "no big deal" and just hit undo. The issue is, it deleted the folder and its contents. I checked the recycle bin and it wasn't there. I checked everywhere I could think to check and it was gone. Tried the redo shortcut, but that only brought the folder back. not its contents. Tried to restore the folder, but it said there was nothing to restore it to. I tried all that I could before contacting Microsoft directly. I got a very apathetic response to some articles to look at that didn't help in the slightest, as well as having some very fishy links. Finally, they told me to try restoring my computer entirely. Well, I come to the forums to ask for help after trying (and it failing) several times to restore to a point before the incident. It finally restored after finding a completely different tutorial, however, all that happened is uninstalling some applications, and making me so angry that I nearly smashed my mouse apart if it wasn't for the fact it's mostly made of metal. I am beyond done and just want to know if I can get my files back. From what I can see, people have posted about this issue during Windows 8, but nobody really offers solutions, much rather people expressing their frustration at having the same issue.

Answer 1

Did it ever System Restore back to before the files disappeared? If it didn't work from Windows, you can try from the Repair Mode by one of these methods:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

If you have other problems that caused System Restore not to work, or anything else, then we need to fix it because Windows should not have those problems. So please let me know what else is wrong as it happens so I can help you fix it.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, nothing appears to have worked. When I did use the restore function VIA the way listed in the article, my computer got caught in a boot loop and wouldn't fully start. Thankfully I was able to get out of it, but the files are still missing. Thank you for the suggestions however, this reply is far better than the one I initially got from the support chat. Happy Holidays!

Answer 3

Hi Legita. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

I would have also hoped that System Restore would bring it back, since it is a time machine that should take you back to exactly as Windows 10 was before the unfortunate change was made.

If not then Here are all things to try for lost files:

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the files disappeared following this guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r.... If this brings the files back, immediately back them up following the tips I give below in case WIndows Update reinstalls the Update that caused this. To avoid this determine which Update is being installed at the time in Settings > Update & Security > Update History and block them using Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-s...
2. You can also check the Recycle Bin on your desktop and the online OneDrive Recycle bin at OneDrive.com.
3. OneDrive may have also moved your Desktop, Documents or Pictures folders into Onedrive and set them to Files on Demand so they live in the cloud with only links on the desktop. Then it may have signed out. Sign into OneDrive to check OneDrive Settings > Backup tab to make sure backup is disabled for those three folders, and in Settings tab that Files on Demand is unchecked. Check the OneDrive online Recycle Bin which keeps deleted files until you tell it to delete them.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-onedrive...

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/116029-turn...

6. Do keyword searches for missing files to see if you can locate any. If so, right click to Show File Location, go there to look for them.
7. Check in the file folder where the files were last seen, to make sure the Hidden Files box is checked on the View tab.

BACK UP SUGGESTIONS -

Your files should always be backed up because a hard drive can die at any time without notice. Some suggestions to help ease into this habit:

1. You can sync your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folder using OneDrive Backup, or just drag valuable files into OneDrive folder, offering 5gb free with additional space for cheap: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/116029-turn...
2. Google Drive Desktop allows you to choose User folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to sync up to 15gb for free to their cloud in real time so it always has the latest version: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/1083812...
3. In addition I'd have an on-site hard copy backup. The best way to do this is to sort all of your files into their User folders and then drag or copy them to another hard drive, USB external or flash drive. Here's how to drag, copy or move large groups of files: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2086566/the-man...
4. Besides your files you should save a System Image back up to use in place of reinstall in 20 minutes. The best free alternative is Macrium: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-ref... You can even use the Macrium program to mount and extract files from this image so it can serve as both image and file backup too.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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