Automated Windows 10 updates deleted all my documents and files

Hello Cat,

Congratulations on getting your files back, I am curious as to what files had been deleted, was it as extensive as some of us suffered or a smaller more easily tracked set. I would also be grateful for a heads up as to where they had been placed placed them to enable you to find them all so quickly.

I used all of Regile's tips and even ran a very extensive file extension search which did not help me find any of my files, so they have been extensively masked (also did a hidden extension search), or totally deleted.

Another add to my deleted list was the contents of my download folder.  So far I have spent over 2 (two) solid days rebuilding my files, I shudder to think how long my photo-library and music collection will take. I thank heaven my book manuscripts live on a protected offline drive.

I am attempting to recover files on an HP ENVY x360 PC. Model 15-bp131TX.

The owner has just lost his wife to cancer and had asked me to recover all his photos of her from the PC.

It does not start at all, other than showing the HP Logo. I removed the drive to connect it to another PC for file recovery to an external USB drive.

However, when I look at the hard drive from the HP, it has the usual 16.4GB Recovery partition plus only a DATA partition of 975GB. The DATA drive, contains absolutely nothing but a folder named   Windows10Upgrade. Within that folder is a 406.497 MB file named   17134.112.180619-1212.rs4_release_svc_refresh_CLIENTCONSUMER_RET_x64FRE_en-us.esd    dated 21/08/2018

It seems the Windows partition has been completely deleted by this Windows 10 upgrade.

My File Explorer is set to show hidden files and file name extensions so nothing is hidden.

I have tried recovering deleted files using my usual specialised file recovery software, checking also for files that have been deleted as a result of reformatting or overwriting with a new operating system.

With the exception of the aforementioned Windows10Upgrade folder and some system files, absolutely nothing seems to be recoverable from this drive.

It seems the entire drive was wiped following acceptance of a Windows 10 upgrade.

Any ideas greatly appreciated as I am concerned about the fragile mental state of the owner of this PC, especially if I have to tell him that all the photos of his recently deceased wife are gone.

Please help

Dear David,

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I was away. I'm sorry to hear of your problems with Microsoft's Windows 10 Update. Hope you have made some progress by now. If you have not already contacted Microsoft for tech support, their number is 1 800 642-7676. Hopefully they can help.

Another thought...do you think your friend's photos can be retrieved from iCloud.

Microsoft has suggested that I take my laptop to a Microsoft Store where my hard drive would be replaced at no charge but that I would be billed to have Windows 10 installed and my files replaced from a backup. (Have no idea what that will cost). That sounds like my only option.

Wishing you luck!

CAS

Hello Cat,

Congratulations on getting your files back, I am curious as to what files had been deleted, was it as extensive as some of us suffered or a smaller more easily tracked set. I would also be grateful for a heads up as to where they had been placed placed them to enable you to find them all so quickly.

I used all of Regile's tips and even ran a very extensive file extension search which did not help me find any of my files, so they have been extensively masked (also did a hidden extension search), or totally deleted.

Another add to my deleted list was the contents of my download folder.  So far I have spent over 2 (two) solid days rebuilding my files, I shudder to think how long my photo-library and music collection will take. I thank heaven my book manuscripts live on a protected offline drive.

I am attempting to recover files on an HP ENVY x360 PC. Model 15-bp131TX.

The owner has just lost his wife to cancer and had asked me to recover all his photos of her from the PC.

It does not start at all, other than showing the HP Logo. I removed the drive to connect it to another PC for file recovery to an external USB drive.

However, when I look at the hard drive from the HP, it has the usual 16.4GB Recovery partition plus only a DATA partition of 975GB. The DATA drive, contains absolutely nothing but a folder named   Windows10Upgrade. Within that folder is a 406.497 MB file named   17134.112.180619-1212.rs4_release_svc_refresh_CLIENTCONSUMER_RET_x64FRE_en-us.esd    dated 21/08/2018

It seems the Windows partition has been completely deleted by this Windows 10 upgrade.

My File Explorer is set to show hidden files and file name extensions so nothing is hidden.

I have tried recovering deleted files using my usual specialised file recovery software, checking also for files that have been deleted as a result of reformatting or overwriting with a new operating system.

With the exception of the aforementioned Windows10Upgrade folder and some system files, absolutely nothing seems to be recoverable from this drive.

It seems the entire drive was wiped following acceptance of a Windows 10 upgrade.

Any ideas greatly appreciated as I am concerned about the fragile mental state of the owner of this PC, especially if I have to tell him that all the photos of his recently deceased wife are gone.

Please help

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-close-and-completely-delete-your-microsoft-account

I finally called Microsoft and they reinstalled Update 1803 again and aside from losing all files from 2019, I was up and running again (sort of). That was 3 weeks ago. Last week I received another update and the same thing happened again. Everything was wiped out, only this time, even with help from knowledgeable Microsoft tech service reps, my hard drive has apparently disappeared. They offered to escalate my case, but I'm tired of 4 hour phone calls getting me nowhere! Their solution...replace the hard drive. Considering it...or I might just buy a Mac and get it all over with.

Thanks, I'll check it out tomorrow.