Windows 7: Deleted my Favorites by accident

feelg777 · 07 Oct 2014

I was having trouble with Internet Explorer using Comcast e-mail, the Comcast rep instructed me to go to tools and delete browsing history, cookies and temp files, then go to advance tab and reset, I lost all my favorites is there anyway to recover them?

richc46 · 07 Oct 2014

The only way I know is to download and try this software and then just hope
Recuva or ShadowExplorer to try and recover them from the file's original folder.
You do not need the paid version
https://www.piriform.com/recuva

ThrashZone · 07 Oct 2014

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
You could try system restore to an earlier time ?
Or try this first
Click Start button and click on your user name near the top where your user folders are,
Right click the Favorites folder and use the tutorial here,
Previous Versions - Restore Files and Folders

whs · 07 Oct 2014

I would also suggest Shadow Explorer. Here is a little tutorial.

ShadowExplorer - Recover Lost Files and Folders

feelg777 · 07 Oct 2014

Thanks rich, I tried recuva but it didn't find it, And thank you for the welcome Thrashzone, I did two system restores and I did the start procedure deal but no go, that was a stupid mistake on my part not to have backed up, but I thank you again gentlemen for the quick response.

richc46 · 07 Oct 2014

I cannot speak for others, but you have tried just about everything that I can suggest. In the future download the free Macrium Reflect and back up the entire hard drive every few weeks. In that way everything is backed up, even the OS.

ThrashZone · 07 Oct 2014

Backups are important for sure,
I would also change the Favorites folders structure so reset will not effect them at all,

Go back to your user name folders location,
Open the favorites folder,
On mine there are only 2 folder,
Favorites Bar and the one I made Bookmarks,
I pretty much deleted everything else I never liked the way ms had so much junk in there so I made my own without all of the ms clutter,
I've reset hundreds of times throughout the years without loosing 1 single website because of a reset and I do delete personal setting every single time

So think about making your own folder structure,
Cheers.

feelg777 · 07 Oct 2014

Success Gentlemen, I finally found it through shadow explorer, again thank you Rich and thrash and whs, you guy's saved me from a lot of grief, you guy's know your stuff.

richc46 · 07 Oct 2014

We are all glad that we could help. Come back any time.

whs · 08 Oct 2014

That's good to hear. Shadow Explorer is a jewel.