Forced update wiped my computer.

Question

I just booted up and found that Microsoft did a forced update that wiped my computer clean. It is now like an out of the box brand new computer save for virus software, quicken, and turbo tax. No pictures, no files, my business is gone, no favorites. Nothing. Any suggestions? I am out of business.

Answer 1

Hi DMatch

There is a known bug in the Windows 10 Update process and while it may not seem so, you are logged into a temporary account . . . 

Before you do anything or move any files around

Restart (not shut down) your PC 4 times, each time let your PC get to the Desktop before the next restart, this will fix this issue a lot of the time . .. 

Otherwise: 

Please open Windows File Explorer 

Navigate to C:\Users 

Do you see two user folders that look like yours?

Open those folders and check inside Pictures, Documents . . . etc. and see if your files are there 

If your files are there: 

Create a new user profile with Admin privileges 

Log into the new user profile 

Copy all your data from the old profile to the new profile (Documents Library, Pictures Library . . . etc.)

If you still have not found your files, look for a Windows.old folder on your C Drive, expand that to open the users folder contained inside - check there for your files, icons . . .etc. 

If you do find your files . . . etc. there, copy them out as soon as possible as Windows will remove the Windows.old folder in time

NOTE VERY IMPORTANT: Do Not copy your files into the Temporary profile you are currently in, when the situation is corrected, your files will be deleted with the Temporary Profile and will not be recoverable !!

Answer 2

Hello Ms. Brust:

Thank you for responding. First is is hard not to be mad in the extreme. The gall of Microsoft! I would quit them over this if I had the chops to install and use another system. I had a neatly organized desk top with all my customer files and sources for the research and now it has all disappeared. I suspect that it is all here some where. I discovered my favorites and one data file simply by searching for it. It will be a long tedious task to get back to the efficiency I once enjoyed. 

I view this update as a play to dominate, collect, and sell my personal profile data to advertisers. The privacy settings are scary to read. Microsoft also hid Chrome, and Duck Duck Go, and all the anti advertising aps I had installed. I think it a crime to mine my data with out my permission. In their privacy statement Microsoft says that if you are not paying for a product and you upload on a platform, or just use it, that you are not protected from the use of the data you uploaded by anyone world wide that wants to make use of it. Well I paid for the use of Microsoft products and I don't want them mapping out my whole life and viewing my emails (they said they would not use what they see!?), and looking at the websites I visit.  

I'm sorry , you offered to help and I have bent your ear.

What I would like to accomplish is to re-establish my desktop with the links to my various files. I am not very good at finding things that are hidden is a file. I may not remember that the file exists etc.

Perhaps you can suggest the best way to set privacy settings to avoid push ads and other intrusions.

I will look for your reply and thank you again for your input. It is late here so I will start fresh in the morning.

Dan

Answer 3

unfortunately it was not possible to send the site, I will write the step by step here

Answer 4

I will be very happy to help you, please, in this link below there will be some steps to take, if you are having difficulties, tell me that I will be here to help you. Thank you for contacting us.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/alter... 9528b011-664c-b771-d757-43a2b78b2afe

Answer 5

Hello DMatch, how are you?

Welcome to the Microsoft community, My name is Lílian and I am an independent consultant and I am also a Microsoft user.

I'm here to help you.

I am very happy and help you, I apologize for what happened, very sad what happened. I ask you not to be upset if possible in any way if you are unable to make favorites again etc. I am here at your disposal so that we can solve this problem together.

 We will already try to recover your deleted files, please follow the step by step of this Microsoft website.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17119/...

Anything will be available.