Folders & documents on desktop missing after windows automatic update

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  1. Posts : 14
    Windows 7
       #1

    Folders & documents on desktop missing after windows automatic update


    Hello all.

    There was an automatic update on Wednesday and after that all the folders on my desktop are missing.

    I don't think they were deleted but I don't have access to them.

    I did find a clue. I was able to open a notepad document I had on the desktop (missing after the update) by going to the Start menu and hovering over Notepad. A list of recent documents appears to the right and I was able to open the missing document that way. Then I went to do a "save as" to find out where it was and it was in the config.msi file. However that file is locked. I think all the folders are there too.

    How do I unlock it?

    Or if that cannot be done, does anyone have any suggestions as to how to access the folders?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #2

    Goto folder c:\users\yourname\desktop

    all is there?

    C:\Users\Public\Desktop is for "all users" stuff

    All stuff you lost is still there?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #3

    flower108 said:
    Hello all.

    There was an automatic update on Wednesday and after that all the folders on my desktop are missing.

    I don't think they were deleted but I don't have access to them.

    I did find a clue. I was able to open a notepad document I had on the desktop (missing after the update) by going to the Start menu and hovering over Notepad. A list of recent documents appears to the right and I was able to open the missing document that way. Then I went to do a "save as" to find out where it was and it was in the config.msi file. However that file is locked. I think all the folders are there too.

    How do I unlock it?

    Or if that cannot be done, does anyone have any suggestions as to how to access the folders?
    Are only folders missing? Or shotcuts as well?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 14
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello Kaktussoft,

    Thank you for your reply.

    I checked in the folder c:\users\yourname\desktop but the files are NOT there. There are no shortcuts either.

    Another reason I think the files are still there is because after the update I had less space on my harddisk than before. If they had been deleted there would have been less I think.

    Any other ideas anyone?

    How can I unlock the config.msi folder?

    Thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #5

    copy a file/folder or shortcut to c:\users\yourname\desktop ... does it appear on desktop?
    copy a file/folder or shortcut ro C:\Users\Public\Desktop ... does it appear on desktop?

    You know a filename of a file/folder you lost? Search where it is and say it
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #6

    Config.msi folder is totally unrelated PC Hell: What is the Config.MSI Folder and Can I Delete It?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 14
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thank you for following up.

    I don't understand what you mean when you say:

    copy a file/folder or shortcut to c:\users\yourname\desktop ... does it appear on desktop?
    copy a file/folder or shortcut ro C:\Users\Public\Desktop ... does it appear on desktop?

    In the desktop folder you are referring to, c:\users\yourname\desktop, the missing files and folders are not there so I can't copy them from there to the desktop.

    If you are speaking of the shortcuts, please tell me where to find them.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #8

    Normally your desktop shows:
    -all stuff from c:\users\yourname\desktop
    -all stuff from C:\Users\Public\Desktop

    So just put something in both folders and tell me if they really appear on desktop.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #9

    Be sure to display hidden files and system protected files as well (temporary). After troubleshooting put the settings back as they were
    Hidden Files and Folders - Show or Hide
    Really nothing in c:\users\yourname\desktop? Not even hidden?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #10

    You can see what was in both 2 folders before and restore it. Previous Versions - Restore Files and Folders

    Still can't believe a patch did delete it
      My Computer


 
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