Automatic Update deleted all my files!

1- Brand new laptop, w/ Win-7 installed by Dell

2- Yes

3a- McAfee, no other spyware

3b- Only activated and ran the 3 month free version of McAfee and nothing else.

4- The papers were saved and Word shut down. The computer was left on w/ no applications running. The windows automatic update service ran during the night. Once the computre was restarted after the updates were performed the changes occurred.

5- Yes, no issues whatsoever

6- Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB979683) Installation date: ‎4/‎15/‎2010 3:00 AM Installation status: Successful

7-The dialog box is fully populated with some items checked and some not

Thanks

Last night [28 Apr-10] my laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit on a Dell Inspirion Laptop performed an automatic update.

Please answer each of the following questions by number in your reply:

1. Had you upgraded to Win7 64-bit (from, e.g., Vista 64-bit) or is it a brand-new laptop that came with Win7 64-bit preinstalled by Dell?
2. Is your computer still under Warranty or Service Contract?

3a. What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Windows Defender)?  What third-party firewall (if any)?

3b. Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

4. Were you working on one or both of the "two 15 page papers" when the reboot prompt appeared? If so, did you close both files before you rebooted?
5. Had all previous updates installed via Automatic Updates successfully?
6. Click on/open Start | Control Panel | System And Maintenance (If you are using Classic View, skip this step) | Programs & Features | Installed Updates: Is Security Update for Windows 7 64-bit (KB979683) listed? If it is, what's the Installation date displayed?
7. Click on/open Start | Control Panel | Programs | Turn Windows features on or off (If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation): Is the Turn Windows features on or off dialog box blank/empty?

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Hi Dan,

Have you been able to recover your data?  If not, I have another idea (I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier).  Although I stand by my previous statement that just running System Restore will not restore your user files; the act of creating a restore point creates "Previous Versions" of files and folders.  All you need to do is right-click on the folder your data was located in (or the folder above) and choose Properties.  Click on the Previous Versions tab.  Find the restore date you manually ran before the data disappeared and click Open. 

What you will see now are what's called Shadow Copies.   You can copy files or folders from this window to the location you would like to have them restored to. Make sure to close the window when you are done, so you don't confuse the Shadow Copies with your current files/folders.  If you look carefully at the address bar, you'll notice it includes the date and time of the restore point as well as the folder names.  

This would be a better resolution than the Restoration program above.  You'd only need to run that program if no restore points are available.

Barbara

Hi Dan,

Losing your personal files is a serious problem. 

Visit the Microsoft Virus Solution and Security Center for resources and tools to keep your PC safe and healthy.  If you are having issues with installing the update itself, visit Support for Microsoft Update for resources and tools to keep your PC updated with the latest updates. 

It can be downloaded from here:  http://download.cnet.com/Restoration/3000-2094_4-10322950.html.  It can be used to retrieve files that seem to have been permanently deleted.  I have used this program several times with great results. You will have the best results if you run this program as soon as possible after the accidental deletion.

I hope you are able to retrieve your data.  It also serves as a reminder that System Restore will not actually restore your user files; it’s only for system files and settings.  To backup your data files, you need to use Windows Backup or some other backup program.

Good luck,

Barbara