Restore deleted files after resetting Windows 10

Hi Linnea. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

When you chose not to save files during the Reset unfortunately it deleted them, so the only option now is to use Data Recovery software which almost never works if the drive has been formatted over which it has. But you can try it starting with Recuva which is will let you know if the pictures can be recovered: http://www.piriform.com/recuva/features.

There is also no Go back to old Version after a Reset, only after a Version Update for a limited time of approx 10 days.

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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Recuva is the best free software.

Get Files Back is the best paid software.

There are also recovery services that do a better job but it is expensive.

Better to have a more thorough file backup. Files which are not backed up are valued as worthless.

Your files should always be backed up because the hard drive can die at any time. Some suggestions to help ease into this habit:

You can drag 5gb for free into OneDrive app to store in the cloud where they are safe from fire and theft.

Google Drive has a new Backup that allows you to choose User folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to sync up to 15g for free to their cloud. https://www.google.com/intl/en-GB_ALL/drive/dow...

Or you can manually 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...

A better automated file backup to external disk is free Macrium which is the choice of the experts:

http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/B...

Besides your files you should back up a System Image to use in place of reinstall in 20 minutes. The best free alternative is Macrium: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-ref...

Due to the fact that you said that there is only 2 files in your windows.old folder means that it did not save your data. I am VERY sorry.

And because you already did a reset you can't go back to a previous build.

To go back to previous build is when you run a feature update.

So no, you will not be able to go back to a previous build.

I am really sorry for this bad news.

Is your laptop up and running now?

Linnea, did you try Get Data Back which is the best consumer file recovery paid program?

The only thing better is forensics recovery firms which are extremely expensive.

This is why file backup is so important. With cloud sync now you can have the files backed up as they are added in real time in the background.

Hi Greg, Thank you for your help.

I tried 4 different software last night, recuva was one of them and one of the others I paid for. All of them find the files but unfortunately after I've downloaded the recovered files to my external hard drive they cannot be opened. I tried 3 different photo viewing programs and all of them say they can't open the file. These are jpeg-files. I guess the files are corrupt and this means I will never be able to get them back. Or could there be software that would recover them differently from the ones I tried?

I even found a software for fixing corrupt/broken jpeg files but it didn't do the work.