my computer restarted and everything is gone

Question

My computer was taking forever to start yesterday morning and when it finally did everything was gone, all my documents, photos, apps, screen icons etc. All of it gone, it is like I have a new computer. I think it has done an update or something and if I have read correctly created a temp Profile ?

I am not a computer expert and can only do the basics. Please help, I am desperate

Answer 1

You are most welcome. Glad to hear that your issue is resolved. Feel free to rate my answer. Have a nice day.

Answer 2

Sorry for the delayed response. You do not need to start from scratch. Since you found your original files and copied them to an external drive, your important data is protected.

Please safely disconnect the external drive, and then try the following:

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

Select the Power icon in the lower-right corner.

Hold down the Shift key and select Restart.

Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

When the options appear, press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Sign in using your normal account password. Your PIN may not work in Safe Mode.

Check whether your original desktop, icons and files have returned.

Restart the computer normally and sign in again.

You can also create a new account and move your copied files into that account. Restart your computer multiple times to see if the new account works fine. Otherwise, perform a clean install:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-signin/manage-user-accounts-in-windows

Answer 3

Thanks for updating me.

If Vinta is a folder inside C:\Users and it contains your Desktop, Documents, Pictures and other personal folders, it is your original user profile. The 24/07/2026 06:11 part is probably the modification date.

Before restarting, please connect an external USB drive > Copy your important folders such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures and Videos from C:\Users\Vinta to the USB drive and do not move or delete the Vinta folder, and do not save anything important to your current Desktop because Windows may be using a temporary profile.

After completing the backup, restart the computer two or three times. Since Start is not working, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select the power icon and choose Restart. Restarting more than once can sometimes restore the original profile.

If your original desktop still does not return, press Windows key + R, type %userprofile%, and press Enter. Please send me the folder path that opens, such as C:\Users\TEMP or C:\Users\Vinta, and I will guide you through the next step.

Answer 4

Hi ,

I'm Dyari. Thanks for reaching out.

Since Start does not work, please press Windows key + E to open File Explorer > Go to Drive C > Users > Find your old user profile > Check to see if your files are available.

Please keep me posted.