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When restart Windows 10, all data lost

Anonymous
2020-01-27T16:24:18+00:00

I tend to save valuable stuff to my Desktop, so it's easy to return to later. I have customized my background settings, because it's nice to see my photos and not the stock ones. But...

Every time I restart my computer, the customized settings have returned to factory settings, my taskbar is reset to factory, and all my files I saved to my desktop, are no where to be found. I have looked for them all over File Explorer and they seem to have just vanished. 

Is this fixable?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Neil D 31,970 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2020-01-27T16:34:03+00:00

    It could have been an update.

    In File Explorer expand This PC and then C: select Users and see it there is a temp folder. If there is then you are signed in with a temp profiles and need to restart 4 times using Start > Power > Restart.

    After the 4th start check again. to see if either you settings and files are back or you still have a temp folder. While there check to see if there is a folder with your sign-in name. If there is look in the Desktop folder for the files and any others in the default folders.

    Important

    Do not move these files to your current sign-in as they will get removed again. Copy them to another safe location.

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. DaveM121 842.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-01-27T16:37:14+00:00

    Hi M]ke, this is happening much too often at the moment, 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 !!

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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