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

That is really very bad behaviour for such a update.

Microsoft does not seem to be able to deliver updates bug free. 

Please make feature updates  voluntary!!

Answer 2

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The Version 1809 Update has been withdrawn.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 3

Dear Microsoft,

Could you PLEASE stop torturing your Windows users with pushed ‘feature’ updates? Can we PLEASE have a choice without any negative consequences to just say ‘no thanks’? This time a line was crossed. Windows as a service - whatever that means in reality - clearly failed. We do NOT want to be pushed into the unknown anymore. Why upgrades twice a year, which means a risky install over an existing install, just for some unimpressive list of features 99% of humanity is not interested in?

An operating system should be a service, a platform for software chosen by users to run. Nothing more, nothing less. It should respect user settings, user’s privacy and by no means keep forcing users to install upgrades of unclear reliability.

Wouldn’t it be a geat idea to pause those disastrous upgrades for let’s say 1,5 year. During this time do all the necessary bugfixes on the versions of Windows 10 that are used the most. For example: focus on 1703 up to and including 1803. Then, in 2020 bring out Windows 11. Based on the old system of only necessary security updates and bugfixes. Make Windows MODULAR and give us the CHOICE of feature modules we might or might not install. Forget about Windows as a service, it failed big time. Please give us back our time, our systems and stop using to push stuff at us without even asking our opinion.

thank you

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.

Answer 5

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.