Entire Windows folder has vanished

ellenc · 21 Aug 2011

You may have trouble believing this, but the ENTIRE WINDOWS FOLDER on the hard drive has vanished. I've been using my machine as usual although am having some bad problems, such as not being able to download/install since Windows Installer is also gone. I guess that's part of the Windows.system 32 stuff that disappeared.
I have a bad feeling I'll have to reinstall Win 7. How in the world could something like this happen? I have the old Windows folder from XP on the drive but no Win 7. Fortunately, I obssess over backing up and have Carbonite, Acronis True Image, Windows BU and everything on Seagate external drives. Many thanks for your ideas. ec

Bare Foot Kid · 21 Aug 2011

Hello.

As you have everything backed up and if it's a Dell have a look at the factory restore option in the information below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Information

Turn on the computer.

2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

Note:
You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.

3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.

5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.

6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.

7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.

8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.

9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.

10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

theog · 21 Aug 2011

Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

gregrocker · 21 Aug 2011

You know the C:windows folder is missing how exactly?

Have you run a bootable malware scan? Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

It's possible malware has hidden it, so after disinfecting run SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot and Startup Repair from DVD Repair console or Repair CD:
System Repair Disc - Create