[Solved] Problems after system restore

Question

Hi all,

Yesterday, while I was browsing on firefox, I got a blue screen. This has happened before since the latest windows update when starting up my pc, and normally, I just had to restart and log in. This time however, I couldn't log in anymore. Every time I typed in my password, I got the blue screen.

According to https://support.microsoft.com/en-sg/help/14238/windows-10-troubleshoot-blue-screen-errors, I had to do a system restore, so I did.

The site said that my personal files won't be affected. However, the AppData folder, wich contained a lot of files I needed has been deleted completely. I contacted microsoft support and they told me that there's no way to retrieve those deleted files.

I feel like this is a big mistake of windows. Situations like this should be prevented in the future. Firstly, before the system restore, it should be better clearified what is going to be deleted and what isn't. If Iknew it would be deleted, I could prevent this situation myself. Secondly,before just deleting everything, there should be made a backup. I still can't understand why everything just gets deleted without any warning and/or any backup.

I know I could have made a backup myself, but that's too late now. I could not know this was going to happen.

Edit: Apparently, windows did make a backup! I found a folder called windows.old and everything was in there!

And that's not the only thing, the system restore deleted virtually all my apps and programs including word, excel, outlook etc. I have no idea how to reinstall these. When I go to the microsoft store I have to buy them again. Please help.

Finally, while a lot of apps have been deleted, a lot of other apps, wich I never installed before are suddenly installed on my device. These apps are: Autodesk Sketchbook, Bubble Witch 3 Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Disney Magic Kingdoms, Dolby Access and Hidden City. Why the hell are these apps installed on my pc? I don't need them.

To summarize: I've got a bad experience with windows' system restore. I hope this can be improved in the future.

Edit: spelling

Answer 1

• I know I should've made backups, I do have one, but it's a quite old one and incomplete. That's my own fault, okay.
• The files I lost isn't user data, but app data. Thats why it was in the appdata folder.
• If I reverse the system restore, can I retrieve my appdata folder?

Yes, you can but since you will again get the BSOD, you will need to access the AppData folder while in Repair Mode.

If this was my machine then I would be extra careful instead of tempting fate. I would proceed like so:

1. Download & install the free version of Macrium Reflect.
2. Create an image of the system drive. Store it on an external disk.
3. Reverse the System Restore action.
4. Extract the AppData files.
5. Use System Restore to get back to today's state.

Answer 2

If I got you right, when I reverse the system restore, I will get the bluescreen again. How will I be able to access my files when I need to extract the appdata files?

I repeat my previous comment:

This means that you could restore your data (but not your applications!), then extract it with Console commands while in Windows Repair Mode. The process requires experience at a maintenance level.

Answer 3

Yes, you can but since you will again get the BSOD, you will need to access the AppData folder while in Repair Mode.

If this was my machine then I would be extra careful instead of tempting fate. I would proceed like so:

1. Download & install the free version of Macrium Reflect.
2. Create an image of the system drive. Store it on an external disk.
3. Reverse the System Restore action.
4. Extract the AppData files.
5. Use System Restore to get back to today's state.

If I got you right, when I reverse the system restore, I will get the bluescreen again. How will I be able to access my files when I need to extract the appdata files?

Answer 4

I can understand why you are dissatisfied with the way things went. At the same time it might be useful to mention a few things:

• We frequently see posts in these forums about loss of data. They almost invariably come from people who learn the hard way that regular backups to an independent storage medium are a "must", not a tedious option, if only to protect against theft or disk failure.
• User data must be stored in the usual library folders (Documents, Music etc), not in system folders such as AppData. System Restore will wipe system folder.
• It is essential to keep the following items for all installed software:
• Date, place and price paid
• Product codes
• Installation files or media

Experience says that all software must be re-installed sooner or later.

Note also that System Restore is reversible. This means that you could restore your data (but not your applications!), then extract it with Console commands while in Windows repair mode. The process requires experience at a maintenance level.

• I know I should've made backups, I do have one, but it's a quite old one and incomplete. That's my own fault, okay.
• The files I lost isn't user data, but app data. Thats why it was in the appdata folder.
• If I reverse the system restore, can I retrieve my appdata folder?

Answer 5

I can understand why you are dissatisfied with the way things went. At the same time it might be useful to mention a few things:

• We frequently see posts in these forums about loss of data. They almost invariably come from people who learn the hard way that regular backups to an independent storage medium are a "must", not a tedious option, if only to protect against theft or disk failure.
• User data must be stored in the usual library folders (Documents, Music etc), not in system folders such as AppData. System Restore will wipe system folder.
• It is essential to keep the following items for all installed software:
• Date, place and price paid
• Product codes
• Installation files or media

Experience says that all software must be re-installed sooner or later.

Note also that System Restore is reversible. This means that you could restore your data (but not your applications!), then extract it with Console commands while in Windows repair mode. The process requires experience at a maintenance level.