All Libraries Missing-Please Help!

[thomaswest3]

Hello:
Something went wrong with my computer, and all of my Libraries (including MyDocuments, Pictures, etc.) are gone. I received several error messages (which I cannot recall) while doing a Virus Scan, and when I restarted my computer they were gone, and most of my program folders were empty. When I go to the Libraries tab, there is simply nothing there, and all of my files are missing. I did a system restore to a month ago, when everything was fine (and it brought back all of my programs), and they are still gone. I was able to access some of them via the Recent Documents in my Microsoft Word Starter, but not all of them.
Any thoughts about what caused this and how I can go about recovering my files?
Thanks for the help!

T.J.

 

[MacGyvr]

What do you mean when you say "something went wrong" with your computer?

Have you run Malwarebyte's yet? If not, do so immediately....full scan.

 

[karlsnooks]

What do you mean when you say "something went wrong" with your computer?

Have you run Malwarebyte's yet? If not, do so immediately....full scan.

+1

Link to malwarebytes in my sig.

 

[thomaswest3]

Actually, that was what I was doing when I started getting the error messages. I'm running another one currently.

 

[lgreta98]

This just happened to me, too! At first I thought all my files disappeared from my Libraries, so I went to my backup program and tried to restore all of them. But actually, the files are still there (in the C: directory). It is the Libraries feature that is not working, so when I tried to restore my files to the target Libraries location, nothing happened. I am waiting for an answer on this, too..

 

[karlsnooks]

I give you the same advice: run malwarebytes. Link in my sig.

 

[lgreta98]

· Yes - I ran malwarebytes full scan, there were no problems whatsoever.

To be more specific, the "Libraries" disappeared after I did a Windows update. After the update, I went back into the Control Panel/System and Security/Review Your Computer's Status to see if there were any of the updates I'd missed, when I noticed under Maintenance there was an option to "Check for Solutions." When I ran that, there seemed to be a lot of problems relating to McAfee, which it then fixed. But it didn’t fix the missing Libraries problem. Also, somewhere along the way a window popped up saying that Windows Explorer stopped working. This was the sequence of events as I recall them…

 

[Hopalong X]

Tutorial that may help. > http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/581-libraries-restore-default.html

Read thru the first part. The actual "how to" is under the big green Here's How. The TIP box under "Here's How" has a link to find them if they are just hidden and the restore does not work.

Hope that helps.
Mike

Also the icon part may just be missing or not showing from the navigation pane which you can see how to do here> http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/580-library-hide-show-navigation-pane.html

 

[lgreta98]

That was a good idea, but unfortunately didn't work (glad to know those options are there, though).

I guess I could also just create new Libraries, then either cut or copy my folders from the C: drive (My Documents, My Pictures, and My Music folders), right? Although what a pain. Would rather have Microsoft figure out what caused them to disappear, and fix it.

 

[lgreta98]

I thought I could cut or copy my folders from the C: drive (My Documents, My Pictures, and My Music folders) to a new Libraries folder, but it doesn't let me paste it into a new Libraries folder. Libraries just seems to have stopped functioning. Are there any more ideas? Thanks!

 

[essenbe]

In an elevated command prompt (start-type cmd-right click and select run as administrator) Paste this into the window sfc /scannow It is a system file checker and will try to repair any malfunctioning files. It also can ask you to put the installation disk in. It also may be nessary to run it several times if it finds problems it says it cannot repair.

 

[Britton30]

Here's how: SFC /scannow
And did you try This for unhiding Libraries?

 

[lgreta98]

Thank you essenbe - but I first have to get the "Run" command to appear on this computer with Windows 7 (I've been looking on Google for solutions, so far to no avail). Extremely frustrating..

 

[severedsolo]

Thank you essenbe - but I first have to get the "Run" command to appear on this computer with Windows 7 (I've been looking on Google for solutions, so far to no avail). Extremely frustrating..

You don't need the run command, The search bar IS the run command as well on Windows 7. Or, you can just press Win+R to get it to come up if you prefer the old school window.

 

[essenbe]

You can go to start-all programs-accessories to find the command prompt too. Just right click and select run as administrator.

 

[lgreta98]

"libraries missing" problem solved

Hi All - the problem has been solved! I went to Control Panel, and entered a search for "Folder Options." Under View/Hidden Files and Folders, I selected "Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives." Voila! Thanks for all your suggestions..

 

[Britton30]

Cool, we're glad you got it fixed.

 

[schoenvonk]

I have the same problem, libraries missing

I have the same problem, after installing SP1 of Windows 7, some of my standard libraries are missing now. Has this problem been solved?

René

 

[schoenvonk]

I have the same problem, after installing SP1 of Windows 7, some of my standard libraries are missing now. Has this problem been solved?

René

 

[lgreta98]

Renee - my particular problem was solved. See instructioons below:

I went to Control Panel, and entered a search for "Folder Options." Under View/Hidden Files and Folders, I selected "Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives."