Recovering A User Account

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  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
       #1

    Recovering A User Account


    In trying to streamline my wifes Laptop (Win 7 64bit), I deleted her user account as she didn't like having to login and give herself permission for various actions all the time.
    Obviously this was the wrong way to go about it.
    However when I went to re-create the account, I managed to get most things back but she can't access her photos and other user items.

    What can I do to fix this?:)
    I'm not too sure if I know the exact User name she had.
    Cheers
    Last edited by Nordo; 26 Dec 2010 at 19:45.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #2

    Welcome
    If I understand correctly, your wife had photos and other documents in her account, which cannot now be found
    The answer is that these items may have been in her account only and at deletion they disappeared into cyberspace.
    The solution would be to download them again or if you have access, give her permissions.
    https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...rmissions.html
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,800
    Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
       #3

    When you choose to delete a user, the option to save their files is best selected. If you still can't
    get to them. then you might have to take ownership of the directories where the photos are stored.

    right click on properties and see if you can't change the options for security to allow access.

    Rich
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    What's going on with all these "Rich" guys.

    I hope richc46 isn't right. I am toast!!!
    Most of the photos have long since been wiped off the camera's memory. I did make a backup disc a few years ago, but there have been heaps more photos added since then. Of course she has also lost all her other personal stuff including documents, favourites, etc.

    The account only took a split second to delete so that's why I think everything is still there (including HD addresses), just can't be accessed by anyone.

    As far as giving access via the security settings, surely the only person who can give access is the original User (who is now no more).

    I have confirmed that the new account I created has the exact same name ("Cilla"), but windows treats it as a new account.

    Please save me from a fate worse than death!!!!

    PS I might add my original post into the General Discussion forum, if it doesn't contravene the rules.
    Last edited by Nordo; 26 Dec 2010 at 19:45. Reason: Added PS
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #5

    You can try to get with disc digger, but use computer as little as possible until then.
    You can also use my favorite recuva
    http://www.piriform.com/recuva
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,009
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #6

    Deleting was that fast because nothing really was deleted (yet). Windows just declares the clusters involved as unoccupied and free for reuse.So you need a software to find those clusters and link the files back together. Recuva would have been my Tool of choice, too.Good call, rich46.
    Best would be to get a portable version on a different computer and start it from a USB stick.
    The less you write on that specific harddrive, the better the chances to retrieve those files. That involves also to save the found data to a different drive if possible (perhaps even the USB stick

    As far as giving access via the security settings, surely the only person who can give access is the original User (who is now no more).
    As can every account with admin privileges...but you need to find those files first.

    I have confirmed that the new account I created has the exact same name ("Cilla"), but windows treats it as a new account.
    That's just the way it is. Windows (as well as Unix and a few others) don't really care about accounts created with names identical to previously deleted ones .It's a safety precaution.

    -DG
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks.
    I've downloaded recuva portable onto another computer. However, I have already downloaded and installed Open Office on my wife's computer, so I may have already lost some of her files.

    I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to Recuva. What do I do once I have found the files? How do I make them readable by her new account?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,009
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #8

    Once you have the files, copy them into your wife's Picture folder like
    C:\Users\Cilla\Pictures

    Depending on whatever rights were set you might have to take ownership over those files

    Take Ownership Shortcut

    If that's not enough, move all the pictures in a sub folder, right click on it and go to
    Properties/Security/Edit/Add put in your wife's new user name in the box, click on
    check names and when it looks right
    , click on OK
    Recovering A User Account-capture.jpg

    Recovering A User Account-capture1.jpg

    That brings you to #4...make sure the just added user name is highlighted
    put a check mark in Full Control click Apply and close all remaining windows from that process with OK
    That should do it

    -DG
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks SledgeDG

    I made a big blue by using Wizard and doing a deep scan looking for "pictures".
    I got thousands of files, many which were repeated 3 or 4 times.

    After transferring them to my 4GB USB stick, then burning them onto DVDs on my computer and using up 4 DVDs I realised I must have been doing something wrong. I had thousands of files without any folder structure.
    I then tried the Advanced mode. In this mode I selected:
    Normal Scan
    Keep Folder Structure

    I am currently recovering and saving this scan which doesn't seem to have any repeats, and I still have everything retained their correct folders. Also I haen't all the other crap I got the first time (gifs, etc of many other programs).
    This will be less than two DVDs, and I'm hoping I can just add them to my wife's new account.
    If I have any problems I'll follow your advice with your brilliant step-by step procedure.

    I've been using CCleaner by Piriform for many years, but never knew about Recuva. Absolutely brilliant program for idiots like me.

    Thanks so much for you help and patience.

    PS Have left big ticks in your profile.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,009
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #10

    You are most welcome, Nordo
    I'm glad you got your stuff back.
    Right...if you see/feel you don't have everything back you could still try the deep scan (just bare in mind that some data might have been overwritten when you installed OpenOffice)
    Thank you for the feedback

    -DG
      My Computer


 
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