How to Recover Lost Files After Windows Update?

Getting your Windows updated means improved performance, stability, and security, but many users encounter an unpleasant experience when their files get deleted.

So, in case your files, documents, photos, and work folders are missing, do not panic. Because those files mostly become temporarily inaccessible, not permanently.  

Whether you are using Windows 11 or Windows 10, this blog will walk you through various methods to recover your files.

Check Your Windows.old Folder

Whenever Windows gets updated, it saves your previous data in a folder named Windows.old. This folder contains desktop files, downloads, videos, and pictures.

How To Find It?

• Click on the File Explorer icon
• Check for: C:\Windows.old\
• Then search for:

C:\Windows.old\Users\YourName\

When you find the files, simply copy (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V) them to your latest folders. You have to act upon it quickly because Microsoft automatically deletes Windows.old after 10 days of the update. 

Cross-check If You Are Logged In Using The Wrong Account

At times, after you are done updating your system, Windows often creates new or temporary user profiles to make it look like all your files are deleted.

How Can You Check?

• Tap on the Start Menu
• Then, just click on your profile icon
• Double-check if there are many accounts listed

Hence, if you see any other account with your name on it or an Admin’s, switch to that account and check your files.

Restore Your Files From File History

Recovery becomes way easier if your File History backup is enabled before the update.

What Steps Can You Follow?

• Click on Settings
• Then, go to Update & Security
• Select Backup
• Choose the option, Restore files from current backup
• Search for your missing data
• Once you find it, click on Restore

This method is more straightforward and can bring back deleted or overwritten files.

Use Windows Search To Locate The Files

Sometimes your files are in the system only. They just shifted.

What To Search?

• Select Windows + S
• Enter: .docx, .pdf, .jpg, and .mp4

You will be surprised to see how often this method works because Windows scans your system for matching data.

Restore The Data From Restore Point

In case your files and folders disappeared right after the update, you might be able to roll back the system state.

What Steps Can You Follow?

• Click on Windows + R
• Enter: rstrui.exe
• Select Next
• Click on the restore point before updating
• Select Finish

Thus, by following this method, you can restore the system settings and files to an earlier state.

How To Prevent File Loss In The Future?

Below are some precautions that you must take to prevent file loss from happening again in the future:

• Enable File History by going to Settings, then Update & Security, selecting Backup, and turning it on.
• Always use OneDrive Backup by enabling desktop backup, documents backup, and pictures backup.
• Also, create system restore points. Search for restore point, click on create, and then name it as ‘Before Windows update.’

While losing files can be scary, you can recover them as they are still somewhere out there.