Can I undo a refresh on windows 8, I have no restore points but would like to go back 24hours?

Yes but for those of us who aren't Magellan compu-navvy's, how do you get to this file and open and reinstall it.  I don't want to have to reinstall every program and app individually. Please help now.  It's ridiculous for people to have to waste ime redoing things constantantly because of Windows misleading instructions. Somebody please reply ASAP.

Well it is not ASAP but here is your reply. First, files are not something that you install. A program or application (app) you would install. When you hit the refresh button it did just what it said it was going to do. It did not get rid of you files. It did however get rid of your applications.

The only way to return the computer to full functionality is to remove all of that stuff and start from scratch. It did clearly state that it was removing the apps from the computer. apps is short for application. But it went further and gave you the other bit about install from the internet or a CD. If you are having to redo things all the time because of "Windows misleading instructions" then do not do something unless you know what it is going to do for sure.

Yes but for those of us who aren't Magellan compu-navvy's, how do you get to this file and open and reinstall it.  I don't want to have to reinstall every program and app individually. Please help now.  It's ridiculous for people to have to waste ime redoing things constantantly because of Windows misleading instructions. Somebody please reply ASAP.

I practically just did the exact same thing. Decided since my computer was having issues to "refresh" it. A total "did not think" moment there, only to realize it was too late for some of my programs. However, I've gotten in the habit over the years and having gone through dozens of computers to not exactly install things the way Microsoft wants you to. I also keep copies of files such as games or important programs in other folders. The refresh did indeed wipe a ton of my stuff out, freed up a whole 100+GB of space which I am not complaining about. But because of the odd positioning of so many of my files, games and folders it missed a good 80% of what I at first had a miniature heart attack over thinking I had lost. I still am rather annoyed it erased my restore points as I would still undo it if I could. But nonetheless, a little more organizing and tweaking and my system will be back to normal due to the unusual patterns in file-placement. Word for the wise, never do what Microsoft "suggests" you to do. The programs which can harm your files will almost always target the areas Microsoft suggests you to place things into. Keep backups or just change the file-path and you will find you have allot less of a file-loss situation.