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(7 Methods) How to Fix Files Lost after Windows 10 Update Easily?
If you find files lost after Windows 10 upgrade, you can follow the shared 7 methods to recover lost files. Or you can rely on the best data recover software for Windows to effectively get them back.
By Irene / Updated on July 24, 2024
User case: Files lost after Windows 10 upgrade
Some users report files missing after Windows 10 update, just like the following user case:
I recently lost ALL my files after another Windows update. I had noticed a little while back that my shortcuts were not working... and that for some reason all my files were in a directory called Windows.old.. I was trying to work out how they were there, and then now that directory has gone.. and all my files with it.
- Question from Microsoft Community
Usually, this happens after installing a new Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 7/8 to Windows 10. But don't worry about it too much. Learn the causes and corresponding solutions to this problem and easily find lost files after the update to Windows 10.
Why files lost after Windows upgrade?
Multiple factors can lead to files lost after Windows 10 upgrade. Yet, there's no need for excessive worry, as retrieving missing files after a Windows 10 upgrade is quite feasible. But before the recovery process, let’s see some potential causes of data loss during a Windows 10 upgrade:
▌ Changes in file locations: Documents may have been unintentionally relocated to different places during or after the upgrade.
▌ Provision of temporary Windows account: You may have been assigned a provisional Windows account, potentially causing trouble with your documents.
▌ Unintended deletion: Files can be accidentally removed while transitioning to Windows 10.
▌ Compatibility issues with software: Installing outdated or incompatible software might lead to data loss or corruption in the new Windows version.
▌ Presence of malware or viruses: Existing malicious software on your computer can interfere with the upgrade process, potentially causing data corruption or loss.
▌ Insufficient space on disk: A insufficient disk space on the hard drive could hinder the upgrade, potentially causing data loss or corruption during installation.
▌ Problems with a network: If the upgrade involves downloading files from the internet and there are network problems, it may result in incomplete downloads and potential data loss.
▌ Human error: Errors made by the user, such as starting the upgrade without proper backups or accidentally formatting the wrong drive, can lead to data loss.
What to do when files lost after Windows 10 upgrade
When you find files lost after Windows 10 upgrade, try the following 7 methods to recover lost files in Windows 10.
Way 1. Check if you’re signed in with a temporary profile
When you discover your files are missing after a Windows 10 Update 2022, the initial step is to verify if you're logged into a temporary user profile.
Step 1. Firstly, head to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings in turn.
If it shows: "You're using a temporary profile. Roaming options are not accessible," it means you're in a temporary profile.
Step 2. Restart your computer and sign in once more. This should eliminate the temporary account, and your files should become available again.
Way 2. Look for the missing files using Search
Click on the search box located on the taskbar and search for your files. If you can't find them and you're not logged in with a temporary profile, some files might be hidden from view.
Step 1. Press Win + E to open Windows File Explorer. Then, click on “View” in the toolbar and tap “Options” to open Folder Options.
Step 2. In the View tab, select the checkbox next to "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" in the Advanced settings, click Apply, and then OK.
Step 3. Try searching for your files once more.
Way 3. Enable a Windows Administrator account
If you've upgraded from a previous Windows version and made a new Microsoft account, your files might be in a disabled administrator account. You need to enable this account and sign in again to access your files.
Step 1. Type "computer management" in the search box and choose "Computer Management".
Step 2. In the left pane, click on Local Users and Groups, then select Users. Right-click the Administrator account and select Properties.
Step 3. In the General tab, uncheck the "Account is disabled" option, click Apply, and then OK.
Way 4. Go back to Windows 10 previous update
You can recover lost files after Windows 10 update by reverting to the previous update.
Step 1. Go to Settings > Update & Security in turn.
Step 2. Click on Windows Update, then select View Update History.
Step 3. Choose "Uninstall updates".
Step 4. Then a window will appear. Select a Windows update after which you noticed your files went missing.
Step 5. Restart your PC and check if your missing files have returned.
Way 5. Restore files using Backup and Restore utility
If you've made a backup using the Backup and Restore utility on your device, you can utilize it to restore your missing files.
Step 1. Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Then, select "Select another backup to restore files from”.
Step 2. Choose the backup and click Next.
Step 3. Use the "Browse for files" or "Browse for folders" option to locate your missing files.
Step 4. Select a location to save the backup, pick your files, and click Restore to recover recover lost files after Windows 10 update.
Way 6. Restore missing files from the previous file versions
At times, you can recover a file if you've activated File History to back up your files.
Step 1. Right-click the new file, then choose Properties.
Step 2. In the small window, click on the Previous Versions tab, select the previous version based on the time, and then click Restore.
Way 7. Recover lost files with a professional data recovery tool
If you still can't find the lost files after trying these methods, this indicates that these files might have unintentionally disappeared or removed during Windows 10 updates. It is high time to depend on a robust data recovery tool.
To recover lost files, the most effective method is to rely on AOMEI FastRecovery which is regarded as the best data recovery software for Windows computers. Its Recover Data allows you to deal with almost all the common data loss scenarios within a few steps. Follow the guidance to quickly restore lost data:
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.
Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.
Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".
Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.
Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering ends.
To sum up
It's highly possible that files lost after Windows 10 upgrade. This could be due to the Windows 10 update possibly moving your data to a different part of your PC, accidentally deleting files, or other reasons we listed. However, you can easily rectify this with the methods shared and AOMEI FastRecovery.
Once you've recovered your lost data, it's advisable to explore more powerful functions on AOMEI FastRecovery for efficient PC management. Functions like PC Cleaner, Duplicate Files Finder, and App Mover have proven to be effective in expanding storage. Besides, features such as OS Migration and Disk Clone can help you easily upgrade your disk or move data to a new device.
