How can I find my lost files?

abhi1gautam · 13 Sep 2013

Hello. yesterday, all the files and folders from documents, desktop and downloads folders were missing. Then I looked for them in the Documents and Settings folder. I found them. Then I moved all the contents from 'Desktop' folder and placed in my existing desktop. I left the Downloads and Documents folder as they were. In the next restart, the Documents and Downloads were restored, but the files from desktop which i moved are not present anywhere. I have used recuva, to search in case the files were deleted, but without any luck. I restored the system to previous restore point, and suprisingly, 'some' files that were in the desktop were appeared. Still the files that i require were not present. Now i have undone the system restore. Is there any way to get the files back? Thanks.

ThrashZone · 13 Sep 2013

Usually this would point to some type of malware setting either the Library or folders inside the library as hidden in the attributes,
You can use these free tools to see if they find anything,
Manually Update them before running full scans,
Try not to use your computer while the scans are running, (one at a time of course).
Uncheck the box to Active the Free trial from the final install options,
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free
http://www.superantispyware.com/?tag=SUPERANTISPYWARE
This one is the longest up to 4 hours, the others are only about 45 minutes,
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
There have been many posted workarounds as Showing Hidden folders, files and drives in folder options,
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/56005-file-folder-hide-unhide.html

abhi1gautam · 14 Sep 2013

Thanks. I am doing the first method that you mentioned. By the way, just for confirmation... are the files and folders deleted, or are they in a certain location?

ThrashZone · 14 Sep 2013

If you referred to the Hide - Unhide link the files most likely are just set as hidden so they are located in the same location as they were prior,
If items are found by the other scanners see if this one finds anything as well,
Review Jacee’s instructions to run Adwcleaner here,
Ignore the title of the thread,
https://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/303717-unusual-remote-assistance-control-process.html