Solved My folders are missing!

[MythicDO]

Hi guys, I really need help!

Earlier today, I started my computer. It took a long time to start up. When I logged in to my user account, it was not the way I left it last night when I shut it down. I don't think it loaded my user account, but instead the default account since all my folders and files were missing on the desktop. However, I was able to find them through the "search programs and files button". I was directed to a folder where I found all my stuff, which I proceeded to drag all of them out on to my current desktop. For whatever reason, I decided to restart my computer. And when I logged in again, it reverted back to my user account but all of my folders and files were gone again! I know the files and folders are on my computer since the amount of space left on the C-drive indicates that the folders were not deleted.

I think what I have to do is get into the "default account" again and move the folders back. Or I can just move them onto an external hard-drive. But I have no idea how to get there. I searched on the internet but I didn't know what key words I should put in. So I'm still very much stuck and desperate.

Please help! Thank you in advance.

 

[bassplayer97]

Check under c:\users and look for any of them that say "temp". More than likely you logged in with a temporary profile and the files are sitting there. If it says you don't have permission, just right click the folder > security > advanced > owner and take ownership of the folder and all subfolders. Post back if this doesn't work!

 

[MythicDO]

I checked up the c:/users and all I see are: "MythicDO" (my account), "public", and "updatusUser".

 

[bassplayer97]

updatusUser is an admin account created by Nvidia to update your graphics drivers. It's possible you were in on that account, but unlikely. Might be better off trying to do a system restore if at all possible.

 

[MythicDO]

Actually, I did try to do a system restore. But it showed me the blue screen afterwards. So I reverted back to this version.

 

[MythicDO]

Is it possible to somehow log in to the temporary profile and move the folder to an external hard-drive. Then log in as my own user account again?

 

[bassplayer97]

If it was still on the computer, it would be showing up under C:\users...... make sure you are showing all hidden fodlers too. Otherwise, you'll likely be better off trying to search again and notate the folder in which the files exist (assuming it finds anything).

 

[MythicDO]

Hmm, I checked my c-drive again and it looks like all my files and folders got deleted.
Okay, thank you bassplayer97 for your help. I think I'll try to find a way to recover those files.

 

[bassplayer97]

Check with piriform.com. They make a great program called recuva. It's totally free and does a decent job recovering files.