File folder disappear after dragging it to move it.... how can I find it?

Question

File folder disappear after dragging it to move it.... how can I find it?

Answer 1

Hi @tammypatterson,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A, and thank you very much for reaching out.

Based on your description, you can try searching for an email that was inside the folder to confirm it still exists. Then, expand all folders to check whether the folder was moved and nested under another one. If you still can’t find it, please also check the Deleted Items folder.

I also found an external article that provides an alternative approach. Feel free to review it to see if it helps further.

Note: This information is provided as a convenience to you. These sites are not controlled by Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks before using any suggestions from the above link.

Looking forward to your response.

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Answer 2

If a file folder disappears after you attempt to drag and move it, there are a few steps you can take to locate it:

1. Check the Original Location: Sometimes, the folder may not have moved successfully. Check the original location to see if it is still there.
2. Search for the Folder: Use the search feature in File Explorer to look for the folder by name. This can help you find it if it was moved to an unexpected location.
3. Look in the Recycle Bin: If the folder was accidentally deleted during the move, it might be in the Recycle Bin. Open the Recycle Bin to see if it is there.
4. Check Recent Files: If you are using Windows 11, you can check the Recent files section in File Explorer to see if the folder appears there.
5. Restart File Explorer: Sometimes, simply restarting File Explorer can resolve display issues. You can do this by ending the task in Task Manager and then reopening File Explorer.
6. Use File Recovery Software: If you suspect that the folder was deleted and is not in the Recycle Bin, you might consider using file recovery software to attempt to recover it.

If these steps do not help, you may want to consider if there are any issues with your system or user permissions that could be affecting file visibility.