Windows 8 "refresh" removed applications

Also, tech support did not explain to me that "refresh" meant "re-install" why would I ever think those two words meant the same thing.  Refresh implies something quick and easy and I wouldn't think to question what tech support was telling me to do.  Had the word "reinstall" been anywhere in those warnings I would have stopped tech support at that moment and gotten a clearer answer. I've been using WIN8 for two months and this is completely different from XP which I had been using for a number of years.  I believed to be happening was a "refreshing" of my computer - NOT a reinstall of my OS.  Win8 is a completely new OS that the basic computer user with surface knowledge that is using completely new terminology when it comes to these things.   While I am lucky as I had MOST of my files  backed up, I can understand how most people would be rather upset.    To an average computer user apps does not mean the same as software/programs,  if you say to most people "what is microsoft office?" they are going to answer "program" not "an app"....as evidenced by this thread and "refresh" does not mean "reinstall the OS"   Just like F8 is supposed to put you into safe mode. I don't see a reason to be so mean to people who don't have the same level of understanding as you do. 

The simple answer to anyone asking why they can't get their files back is this:

When you refreshed your computer, you reinstalled Windows 8.  When the warning came up about "APPS" they were talking about your programs and software. When it said it would not effect your personal data and files, it DID NOT mean 3rd party programs/apps/software.  Such as any programs that were not originally installed on the computer, including things like microsoft word and photoshop, unless you backed up the files on the hard drive or to a USB or something along those lines or "create an image" which means "backup".  You misunderstood what "refresh" was going to do and need to learn all the new terminology that Microsoft has chosen to use for this completely new OS that not everyone has caught up with yet.

Oh and the back up thing is not working for me either.  The software company that I use to run my .svg files is unable to get my backed up files restored. yay. so apparently. backing them up doesn't work either. my only files that were saved were ones backed up to a cloud.

I did ASK it was tech support that told me to use the refresh feature.  I had a BSOD and could not very well go googling my questions. My computer was only booting to BIOS and we had a hard enough time getting it into safe mode.  I was told to refresh the computer and followed their instructions.  I specifically asked them, will this remove my files and programs and they said no - only non-microsoft apps.  And I am sorry, apps are something on my kids ipod - programs are what are on my computer. That is what they have always been called by Tech support.  I understand that in the more tech world they are called applications, however for those of us that only have basic knowledge and have been around since the dawn of computers...they are programs and when tech support tells me I won't lose my files - I tend to believe them.  My .svg files are gone. This DID mess with my files.   Windows has been using the same safe mode/fix the computer thing forever and that is what most people who are doing a quick fix with basic knowledge know how to do, drastically changing things and vague wording is confusing.

The term "Applications" (or "apps" for short) has been around for many many years....well before the current generation of mobile devices....

If you weren't sure about what refresh would do then ASK........

I am sorry but the wording IS very confusing and it is even more confusing to those that are used to doing things in WIN7 or XP. The system refresh told me it would NOT remove my files. It DID remove my files. It removed my files within my PROGRAMS.  I read the warning as it would remove any non-windows store APP, since I had not installed any APPS this did not pertain to me. I was worried about my FILES.  

It is completely unfair and wrong of Microsoft to word it the way they did, they would at least add the word PROGRAM to the forth bullet point.