Lost Files during interrupted drag and drop

Question

Hi there

I was wondering if you could assist me... I had a folder on my desktop which i dragged into my documents. The status bar did not show any signs of activity for a few minutes (did not saw "moving..." and no green progress etc)

I then cancelled the process thinking the move would be reverted back to desktop but it seems like the process was going on in the background.

The result: The folder has been removed from my desktop and placed in my documents, but the contents copied are only about 10%. The rest of the contents are missing. 

I tried checking the recycle bin, and also ctrl+z several times but could not revert the cut files.

I have also run %temp% files location but nothing there, as well as checked out recovery software which i am unsure of

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. (Running windows 10, 64 bit)

Regards

Answer 1

You can right-click the problem folder, then left-click Restore previous version.

If this fails then you could restore the files from your external backup medium.

If there is no external backup then this is the time to review your backup policy.

Answer 2

Hi Michael,

https://www.easeus.com/file-recovery/recover-de...

https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva

You can give both of these a shot. now these are both 3rd party apps, and I trust them. Free to use.

Note: These are a non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

I’ve had people use EaseUS, and I’ve used Recuva before with success. Give them a shot and they may be able to recovery your missing data.

Good luck and let me know!

• C

Answer 3

Can also try performing a system restore to see if the files might be restored?

Answer 4

Can also try performing a system restore to see if the files might be restored?

We both know that System Restore restores system files. It does NOT restore user data files.

Answer 5

Hi Guys

@Frederik Long & @Charlie Klausen thanks for your assistance. Much appreciated.

Unfortunately my last backup doesnt contain some of the work i would have liked to recover but i will fall back on that. The moved folder was 120gb so most recovery software (even paid versions) tops out at about 2gb. 

I knew i should be able to recover the cut files somehow because my drive usage never dropped my the 100gb+, so i wanted to recover via cmd steps shown here: https://www.easeus.com/file-recovery/recover-cut-files-from-sd-windows-pc-android-iphone-memory.html#part3 

I ran chkdsk but encountered the "chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. 

Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the 

system restarts? (Y/N)" error.

After typing y and restarting i could see my drive was being repaired... unfortunately after logging in the folder was not replaced and i could now see disc usage was down for the fist time.

Fortunately i didnt work from the lost folder often and can scrape together some idea of what was lost. Just sucks to lose data. Lesson learned :)

Thanks again for the help guys. Cheers