windows 10 (October 2018 update) (version 1809) deleted all my files

Question

I have just updated my windows using the October update (10, version 1809) it deleted all my files of 23 years in amount of 220gb. This is unbelievable, I have been using Microsoft products since 1995 and nothing like that ever happened to me.

Files were located at C:/Users/rober/Documents/

This location is still present, with no files. All of files deleted.

I am extremely upset. Not sure what to do….please let me know.

Robert

Answer 1

Hi Robert. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

MVP's are investigating this issue right now and need to gather some information:

1. Do you recognize the account you're in is yours?  Sometimes when an account cannot start WIndows will start a Temporary Account instead.  In that case your files may be in your old account at C:Users.  Check also for C:\windows.old/.
2. Is it possible OneDrive is set to "Files on Demand" so that they are stored only in the cloud unless you select them?  You can by right clicking OneDrive cloud in System Tray, then choose Settings, and again choose the Settings tab to see if the box is checked to store files in the cloud only: OneDrive Files On-Demand: How to enable it in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update | PCWorld

Right click OneDrive file icon in System tray again, choose View Online>  Are files in your online OneDrive account now?  Check the Recycle Bin (online).

3. Can you do a keyword search for file names you know were there before the Upgrade, to see if they might still be onboard somewhere?
4. If all of the above have failed, before installing anything which could overwrite deleted files run a file Recovery software like Recuva to see if it finds your files.

Please reply back to each step in order and I will pass the information along and continue working with you to try to resolve this. 

The Version 1809 Update has been withdrawn.  If it's pending here's how to abort it:How to Cancel Pending Installation of Windows 10 Version 1809

Answer 2

Hello Greg,

Thank you for offering your help.

I only use one account. It has administrative rights.  

I checked all C folder including: old user accounts and windows.old, and othe locations.

The result: all files are deleted.

Files were located at C:/Users/rober/Documents/.

Only pictures located at C:/Users/rober/Picutres/… were preserved.

Please note that on October 2, C:/User folder had 240gb

whereas, On October 3, C:/User folder has 13gb Only, so 227GB of files were deleted in total.

Luckily, I have backup most my of the files about 2 months ago to my removable drive “Passport” and have now restored them on my partion drive, that I had created before. When I was shopping for the hard drive, I could not find anything similar to time capcule where hard drive that works automatically sync with Time Machine as in “Mac”. However, I did not update my files to USB drive this time, as it could take up to 1-2 business days to have it updated. 

In summary, I have lost my work all the files for the last 2 months, due to the upgrade.

So, I have a question. Do you know if files can be restored by rolling back Version 1809?

Please note that the PC works well now with this new upgrade. However, If files can be restored, I will try to roll it back , as you suggested. Please let me know. Robert

Answer 3

What's been learned in the past 24 hours makes running File Recovery the first option here.  I suggest Recuva - Features

The Version 1809 Update has been withdrawn.  If it's pending here's how to abort it:How to Cancel Pending Installation of Windows 10 Version 1809.

If you have it installed you can roll it back if it's causing problems at Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, or wait for corrective Updates to be pushed to solve reported issues.

Answer 4

It took 4 hours to upgrade on the band new dell laptop. 35 minutes to roll back. No changes. All files are permanently gone.

Thank you Microsoft. I think Micoroft's File Explorer/Management system and it's back up system is lagging behind of Macintosh OS for at least10-15 years. It is becoming extremely hard for average user to keep up with all new amount data, pictures, etc. that are piling up on us.

It would be great if Microsoft could solve this issues up, restructure File Explorer, bring up some order and color without forcing their updates on the average consumer. File Explorer/Management system should run intuitively and logically.