Excel Files Disappeared from Desktop? 3 Ways to Fix It

User Question

Data integrity is becoming increasingly crucial to individuals, affecting us in various aspects, including information security, personal privacy, and more. Although we have taken measures to maintain it, it's not uncommon to lose important content for some unknown reasons, which can both be frustrating and disheartening. Thousands and hundreds of people are facing data loss every day, often involving missing essential files.

Here is a question from a user:

“ I found that my Excel file disappeared from my desktop today. It’s impossible for it to be deleted since it holds important financial information, but I certainly cannot see it. Why did it suddenly disappear from my desktop, and how can I recover it without losing any data? ”

Have you ever encountered a situation like this? There is no need to panic. In this article, we will explore some common reasons why Excel files disappeared from the desktop and offer several effective solutions to recover them.

Why My Excel Files Disappeared from the Desktop?  

File loss occurs frequently, especially when handling files and cleaning up storage. Sometimes, files might unexpectedly disappear from your computer without any awareness, making you feel puzzled and stressed.

So, what causes our Excel files to disappear from the desktop? This section lists the following three primary factors:

Human Error: Excel files are often lost from the desktop on account of human errors, including accidentally pressing the delete key or moving them to other folders and drives.

File Corruption: Files can also become inaccessible or disappear due to the file corruption caused by software malfunctions, system crashes, or incorrect shutdown operations.

Software Failure: When software fails, it’s easy to lose our unsaved work, resulting in significant productivity losses.

Is It Possible to Restore Lost Excel Files?

While there are multiple factors leading to file loss, it is often possible to restore the lost Excel files without any loss.

Sometimes, you may fail to find the Excel files on the desktop owing to the fact that the saving location has been changed or the shortcut is removed from the desktop. In such a case, you are able to find the missing files by searching their name in File Explorer.

If you still can't find them, it seems like your files have been deleted. Typically, deleted files can be easily recovered from the Recycle Bin. But if you delete files with Shift+Delete or through permanent deletion, they will bypass the Recycle Bin and be removed directly. Additionally, deleting files that are too large or emptying the Recycle Bin both result in your files being permanently deleted, too.

In such cases, you can no longer recover them through the Recycle Bin. Since the deleted file data remains on the system until it is overwritten by new information, you are still allowed to utilize suitable methods or recovery tools to restore lost Excel files.

How to Recover Excel Files Missing from Your Desktop?

In this section, three easy but functional approaches are provided to restore lost Excel files.

Retrieve from the Recycle Bin

If you accidentally delete the Excel files, they may disappear from your desktop. Fortunately, the deleted files can still be found and restored in the Recycle Bin. You are allowed to easily recover them by the following steps:

Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin first.

Step 2: Search the file that you require within the search bar.

Step 3: Right-click on the desired file and select Restore to return it to its original location.

Retrieve Files Using Backup

If your files are not in the Recycle Bin, they may have been permanently deleted. In this case, recovering them through Backup and Restore is also a good option. This method also works on the files being lost due to system failure or accidental overwriting. Note that you must ensure that the backup function was enabled beforehand. The specific recovery steps are as follows:

Step 1: Go to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > Backup and Restore in turn.

Step 2: Click Restore my files.

Step 3: Click Browse for files to choose the file you want to recover, and then click Next.

Step 4: Specify the saving path for your recovered file, and click Restore.

Restore Lost Excel Files with Software

What if we don’t have a backup?

Given that not everyone backs up their files, it is suggested to retrieve lost Excel files using recovery software. This solution not only applies to diverse file loss scenarios, but also simplifies the recovery process and improves working efficiency.

AOMEI FastRecovery, a robust yet user-friendly data recovery solution, aims to assist users in retrieving data from an extensive range of storage devices, while offering broad support for various file formats. Whether you’ve lost your Excel files due to accidental deletion, system failure, or another reason, this tool can help you quickly scan and recover them.

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Follow the step-by-step guide below to recover the files that disappeared from the desktop.

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI FastRecovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your files are located.

Step 2: Scan your disk to find the deleted files. It offers two modes, "Quick Scan" and "Deep Scan", which are designed to find lost files comprehensively.

Step 3: Upon scanning completion, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired file and then click Recover.

Step 4: Specify a path for the file. Simply bide your time till the procedure is complete.

How to Avoid File Loss?

Implement Regular Backup

Implementing a data backup can greatly minimize the risk of losing data. It is advisable to back up your essential files regularly, so that you can recover lost files in time.

Avoid Accidental Deletion

Be careful when handling and managing files on a daily basis. Ensure that your actions do not lead to the accidental loss of certain files.

Maintain Device Safety

Take essential measures to keep your devices stay in good working condition. Use security software to prevent it from physical damage or virus attacks.

Summary

In this post, we've discussed several typical causes for files missing from the desktop and provided three functional solutions to settle the painful issue. When your Excel files disappeared from the desktop, first check whether they have been deleted. Then switch a appropriate method or professional software to recover them. What’s more, it is equally important to implement measures to protect your data and prevent future loss.