Windows 10 1809 update deleted all files from Documents!

Question

Last night I updated to 1809, and it all went smoothly, but then I find that all my files in Documents are DELETED. Gone. Poof. This included many crucial documents and financial info. Yes, I have a backup (I think - using Windows Backup to a NAS). But this is pretty bad. Did no one in the first two rings run into this yet?

I understand (from the news) that this happens to all files in Documents that aren't synced to OneDrive. Further, the Documents folder is really an agglomeration of "Documents" from several different paths - not sure how that works, and it may or may not relate.

Answer 1

Hi Stuart, this does seem to be an emerging bug today on the 1809 update, quite a few users reporting this . .

I am really glad to hear you have a backup of your data!

What has worked for some users is - Restart (not shut down) your PC 3 or 4 times, this will fix this issue a lot of the time . . .

Answer 2

Hi Stuart, this does seem to be an emerging bug today on the 1809 update, quite a few users reporting this . .

I am really glad to hear you have a backup of your data!

What has worked for some users is - Restart (not shut down) your PC 3 or 4 times, this will fix this issue a lot of the time . . .

At what point do you have to Restart the PC 3 or 4 times to get your documents back? After they have been deleted or during the update? I'd like to know so when my documents are deleted I can hopefully get them back.

Answer 3

Hi Tom -

Alas - it gets worse. Microsoft's Backup silently stopped backing up back in February and didn't tell me, and I didn't notice. So I have maybe 100 hours of tedium ahead of me as I try to reconstruct my financial records... And the restart (3x) didn't do anything. Sigh.

Answer 4

I'm adding to this thread as well the latest update to 1809 Not only deletes files But It made a Mess of my system! First Not only was files Missing After a Failed General Error  0xc1900101  and I took Extra Steps to prevent in the first place, ie Removed Norton's, Removed other hardware like Blue Tooth Dongle etc. it still failed. Upon Restore I noticed lot's of Photo's and Audio file's as well as Word Doc's etc missing. Shortcuts from my Quick Launch was gone, and My System Fans as well as My Liquid Cooling Pump was in Max Turbo mode. But that is the only thing, My Software Lot's Of Software Would not start, or Launch at all the service was showing that it was running but No Interface of the software. When I dug into the Panther file to find the culprit, It was blank. So I have No Idea as to why the generic code  0xc1900101 is being used if it will not tell me what caused the failed update. So Be Warned Everyone Make Sure you use a Software Like Acronis and Clone Your Drive before starting this Update at lest you can get your system back

Answer 5

Do not upgrade, do a fresh reinstall. This is always the best practice. My system is broken anyway even with 1803 as it resets file associations every reboot. So it's time to do a fresh install anyway.

Will wait until end of November, then install 1809 as fresh install when all issues are resolved.

Also I don't like the "multiple destination document" ****. Who needs this crap? I want my documents on the drive and partition I want it to. And I want to KNOW where it is.

In Germany you can't use One Drive anyway, as upload speeds here are laughable. Online backups are unusable here.

And I pay 55 EUR per month, and I have cutouts and slowdowns every week. Absolutely barbaric.