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Windows 7: 2 My documents folders, deleted one, both gone! How to recover files?

08 Nov 2011   #1

windows 7 professional x64
 
 
2 My documents folders, deleted one, both gone! How to recover files?

I noticed I had two copies of the My Documents folder, one in my user folder where I want it, and the other buried deep in my pictures folder (I think I accidentally dragged and dropped it there once when I was trying to change the order of icons in the navigation pane). I deleted the one in my pictures folder, and both folders disappeared!

What happened?



I closed the screen out, re-opened "my computer," and see both My Documents folders back, but empty.

1) How can I recover my files? My last backup was last week, and I've written quite a bit since then. I was actually about to back up again when I saw the annoying second folder and deleted it, not realizing they were linked. The folder was too large and bypassed the recycle bin.

2) How can I fix the two folders issue? I have the same problem with my music folder also, and have had problems with the folders under my username seeming to disappear, reappear, and move for no apparent reason.

The computer has Windows 7 Professional.

Thanks for any help.
My System SpecsSystem Spec

08 Nov 2011   #2

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)
South Australia
 
 

Hi,

Recuva from Piriform might be able to recover this for you.

Regards,
Golden
My System SpecsSystem Spec
08 Nov 2011   #3

windows 7 professional x64
 
 

I've already tried Recuva and DiskDigger. Recuva found all the files, but most said "unrecoverable." I loaded them anyway but MS Word won't open them, saying they're corrupt/parts are missing, and in WordPad they just open as gibberish (I think WordPad can't open word documents though, so maybe there was no point to trying it anyway).
Any other ideas?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


08 Nov 2011   #4

Windows 7 x64 (SP1)
 
 

You have "Hide protected OS files" unchecked?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
09 Nov 2011   #5

Windows 7 Pro 32bit / Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

Sometimes there is a shadow copy of the files in question. Right click the parent folder, choose properties and check the Previous Versions tab. I would guess that if Recuva didn't help you might be out of luck. The couple of times I've used that software it worked pretty well.

Best Wishes,
RȘnce
My System SpecsSystem Spec
09 Nov 2011   #6

Windows7 Pro 64bit SP-1; Windows XP Pro 32bit
Grafton,IL
 
 

Try a System Restore point before you did the deletion.

Always the easiest and quickest to try. Tutorial here if needed.> System Restore
My System SpecsSystem Spec
09 Nov 2011   #7

Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
 
 

You can try Restoration |MG| Restoration 2.5.14 Download
(Run as Administrator)
Quote:
One word of caution, though, this program will find just about everything that you've ever deleted from your PC, including files deleted from program uninstalls, so if you know the extension (DOC, MP3, etc.) of the file that you deleted, narrow your search to only files with that extension. Once you find your file select it, and then click on "Restore by Copying.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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