Upgraded from Vista to Windows 7 - Files are gone!

jcooke1369

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I've installed the Windows 7 upgrade from Vista onto my C drive - I was careful about making sure I didn't do a custom installation because I wanted to keep my files and programs. After the installation - my programs are still installed, the file folders are still there, but the folders on my D drive are empty. My music, photo, video, and document libraries are completely empty.

Other threads have said to look in the Windows.old folder but there is no Windows.old folder on my computer. I had a few folders with documents on the desktop that are intact - so why would it delete some files but not others? Is there anyway to get my files back?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Pro x64, Arch LinuxIntel Core 2 Quad Q8200 OC'd 3.08GHz8GB DDR2 900MhzMSI GT730 2GB GDDR5 (Kepler)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64, Arch Linux
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 OC'd 3.08GHz
Motherboard
Asus Rampage formula LGA775
Memory
8GB DDR2 900Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GT730 2GB GDDR5 (Kepler)
Sound Card
Supreme FX2
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung LS22F350 LED
Screen Resolution
1080P
Hard Drives
Kingston SSDNow UV400 120GB, 500GB Hitachi, 2TB Samsung, 500GB Seagate FreeAgent, 640GB Samsung, 160GB Toshiba (Arch)
PSU
AeroCool 500W Bronze
Cooling
Cooler Master V6 + 3X fans
Keyboard
Prolink keyboard
Mouse
Logitech M705
Internet Speed
1MiB/s
Browser
Chrome Beta
I've installed the Windows 7 upgrade from Vista onto my C drive - I was careful about making sure I didn't do a custom installation because I wanted to keep my files and programs. After the installation - my programs are still installed, the file folders are still there, but the folders on my D drive are empty. My music, photo, video, and document libraries are completely empty.

Other threads have said to look in the Windows.old folder but there is no Windows.old folder on my computer. I had a few folders with documents on the desktop that are intact - so why would it delete some files but not others? Is there anyway to get my files back?

Welcome to SevenForums, even if the circumstances could be better.

Following will help us:
WIN | type DISKMGMT.MSC | ENTER
WIN is the key with the flag on it.
This will run the Disk Management program and display info re your disks.

ALT SPACEBAR combo | X key
This will maximize the Disk Management display.

WIN | type SNIPPING | ENTER
This will run the "Snipping Tool" whcih allows you to take a picture of part or all of the screen.

Attach the "snip" to your next post.
Screenshot - How to post
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bitAMD A10-4600M6.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-12-28)AMD Radeon HD 7660G
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite S875D-S7239 laptop
OS
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
CPU
AMD A10-4600M
Motherboard
AMD Pumori (Socket FT1)
Memory
6.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-12-28)
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD 7660G
Sound Card
High Definition Audio Device
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP Monitor (1600x900@60Hz)
Screen Resolution
1600x900@60Hz
Hard Drives
SSD 119GB Corsair CSSD-V128GB2 ATA Device
Keyboard
Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
HP Wireless Optical Mobile Mouse Model FHA-3410
Internet Speed
What the local pub, local coffee shop offers.
Other Info
Optical Drive:MATSHITA BD-CMB UJ160B ATA Device


Also have an Asus ha1002xp netbook with Win 7 Ultimate installed.
Hello jcooke1369, welcome to Seven Forums!





Are you saying that files in another, separate from the C: partition ("on my D drive") are empty?

Files in another partition, separate from the installation partition are not bothered by the install and (I don't use Librarys) I don't believe that Windows 7 will automatically impost 'things' into the Library folders.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

W 7 64-bit UltimateIntel Q9550 Yorkfield8GB Dominator 8500C5DATI : XFX 5870
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
* BFK Customs *
OS
W 7 64-bit Ultimate
CPU
Intel Q9550 Yorkfield
Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro
Memory
8GB Dominator 8500C5D
Graphics Card(s)
ATI : XFX 5870
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 7-1
Monitor(s) Displays
1x 47" LCD HDMI & 3x 26" LCD HDMI
Screen Resolution
1920x1080P & 1920x1200
Hard Drives
1x 80GB Intel X25-M G2 SSD : 1x 500GB & 1x 640GB WD Caviar Black(s)
PSU
Corsair 620HX
Case
Cooler Master RC-690
Cooling
Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
Keyboard
Microsoft 500
Mouse
Razer Diamondback 3G
Internet Speed
14 Mb/s
Other Info
1x Koutech 3Gb/s SATA HDD Hot Swap Rack
Thanks to everyone for helping out!

I'll post some screen shots when I get home later today to help explain...

Bare Food Kid - that's what I'm saying. I had various files spread out on the C & D partitions. Windows 7 was installed on the C:\, the files previously on the C:\ are still there, but the files on the D:\ are not there (the folders are all there, but they are empty).
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
Thanks to everyone for helping out!

I'll post some screen shots when I get home later today to help explain...

Bare Food Kid - that's what I'm saying. I had various files spread out on the C & D partitions. Windows 7 was installed on the C:\, the files previously on the C:\ are still there, but the files on the D:\ are not there (the folders are all there, but they are empty).



That makes no sense at all (not pointing a finger) that's not supposed to happen at all.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

W 7 64-bit UltimateIntel Q9550 Yorkfield8GB Dominator 8500C5DATI : XFX 5870
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
* BFK Customs *
OS
W 7 64-bit Ultimate
CPU
Intel Q9550 Yorkfield
Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro
Memory
8GB Dominator 8500C5D
Graphics Card(s)
ATI : XFX 5870
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 7-1
Monitor(s) Displays
1x 47" LCD HDMI & 3x 26" LCD HDMI
Screen Resolution
1920x1080P & 1920x1200
Hard Drives
1x 80GB Intel X25-M G2 SSD : 1x 500GB & 1x 640GB WD Caviar Black(s)
PSU
Corsair 620HX
Case
Cooler Master RC-690
Cooling
Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
Keyboard
Microsoft 500
Mouse
Razer Diamondback 3G
Internet Speed
14 Mb/s
Other Info
1x Koutech 3Gb/s SATA HDD Hot Swap Rack
Which folders are empty? If you are navigating to your Documents or Music by going to the windows 7 Libraries or start menu they will be empty. By default they look at the documents folder on your C: drive. Go to your start menu and click "Computer", then click your D drive and look in the folders, are your files there? If they are all you have to do is add those folders to your respective libraries or do what i did and move the default folders to your D drive.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 10 Education 64 bitAMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 MemoryZotac NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built
OS
Windows 10 Education 64 bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
Memory
8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
Graphics Card(s)
Zotac NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
Sound Card
VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
Screen Resolution
1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
Hard Drives
Crucial M100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
PSU
Thermaltake TR 620
Case
Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
Cooling
Stock heatsink and fan
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
Mouse
Logitech Wireless M570 Trackman Wheel
Internet Speed
80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Other Info
HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Files have been found & restored! Thank you everyone for your help.

It turns out that the files were hiding in a hidden folder located at D:\$INPLACE.~TR

Recuva did not find them (even after a deep scan) but a different program called SalvageData Recovery did find it.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
That's good news and thanks for update
welcome to seven forums
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7600IIx4 amd athelon 635 processor2x2gbati radeon HD 5450
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Hewlett packard/p6512uk
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7600
CPU
IIx4 amd athelon 635 processor
Motherboard
FOXCONN 2AA9
Memory
2x2gb
Graphics Card(s)
ati radeon HD 5450
Sound Card
(1) Realtek High Definition Audio (2) AMD High Definition
Monitor(s) Displays
samsung lcd tv 32"
Screen Resolution
1360x 768
Hard Drives
(1) WDC WD10 01FAES-60Z2A0 SATA Disk Device (2) Maxtor OneTouch USB Device (3) ST310003 33AS USB Device (4) WD My Book 1111 USB Device
PSU
?
Cooling
air!
Keyboard
wireless hp
Mouse
wireless Hp,optical
Internet Speed
1.10mb/s
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Firefox
Glad you found them and thanks for letting us know.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bitIntel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz2.50 GB RAMNVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home built
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
CPU
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Motherboard
ASUS P4P800-VM Motherboard Chipset: Intel 865G + ICH5
Memory
2.50 GB RAM
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Sound Card
SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio (Chip)
Monitor(s) Displays
ViewSonic VX 1962 wm
Screen Resolution
1680 X 1050
Hard Drives
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80 GB
ST380215A ATA Device 18.6 GB
Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive 750 GB
Cooling
Fan based
Keyboard
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 v10 USB
Mouse
Logitec optic USB
Internet Speed
3.01 Mb/s download 0.64 Mb/s upload
Files have been found & restored! Thank you everyone for your help.

It turns out that the files were hiding in a hidden folder located at D:\$INPLACE.~TR

Recuva did not find them (even after a deep scan) but a different program called SalvageData Recovery did find it.


Hello again.



Glad to see you have found the files and thanks for the update.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

W 7 64-bit UltimateIntel Q9550 Yorkfield8GB Dominator 8500C5DATI : XFX 5870
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
* BFK Customs *
OS
W 7 64-bit Ultimate
CPU
Intel Q9550 Yorkfield
Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro
Memory
8GB Dominator 8500C5D
Graphics Card(s)
ATI : XFX 5870
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 7-1
Monitor(s) Displays
1x 47" LCD HDMI & 3x 26" LCD HDMI
Screen Resolution
1920x1080P & 1920x1200
Hard Drives
1x 80GB Intel X25-M G2 SSD : 1x 500GB & 1x 640GB WD Caviar Black(s)
PSU
Corsair 620HX
Case
Cooler Master RC-690
Cooling
Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
Keyboard
Microsoft 500
Mouse
Razer Diamondback 3G
Internet Speed
14 Mb/s
Other Info
1x Koutech 3Gb/s SATA HDD Hot Swap Rack
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