Automated Windows 10 updates deleted all my documents and files

I totally agree. Just started a 2 week vacation now have no means of saving movies & photos from my go pro. Microsoft must have idiots do in nd their coding now and probably will never fess up to their mistake or make amends...

I can only offer some guidance/things to check yourself.

Make sure you are using the same sign-in name as you were previously.

Check using File Explorer for any user name folders that are similar to your usual sign-in name. Expand This PC and then expand C:, expand the Users folder and look in the individual folder names listed for common default folders. (Desktop, Documents etc.)

If you want to try it go to Settings > Update and security select View installed update history and there should be an option to Roll back to the previous build. (if you have just updated)

Although this is after the event:

Always keep a second backup copy of important files.

Don't keep files on your desktop. Use the default folders Documents, Videos etc. and use shortcuts on the desktop to those file locations.

Ya. Ok.

How do I back up my latest documents when Microcrap just starts the reboot and update without any option to not do the update.

It brought up a message, I told it to wait; It prompted later, Update now? I said to wait. The next time, nothing, Microcrap takes over and starts the update without any option to save my latest work. Fedora is the way for me now. Download an ISO and burn, Boot off the drive, BANG, you have a desktop. Free ?,,, Yes. All free. The Operating systgem, all the APPS you could ever want, FREE.

You guys have went to your own heads.

I appreciate your sharing the "fix". However, this does not say much for the cause i.e. Microsoft releasing patches/updates that have not been sufficiently tested. Unfortunately there is no obvious recourse, no apologies from Microsoft, and thousands of users are left wondering when the next update will destroy their data again. This has already happened to me twice. I am an IT consultant and fortunately make regular backups, but it still wastes a day of my time (and income) to try and recover from a "standard update". Much as I appreciate the utility provided by Microsoft applications/Azure/SaaS and OS, it still leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

I have fixed over 30 computers this has happened to. The only way I have found to do this is to pull the hard drive from the computer and slave it to another computer. Backup any important files to another drive or thumb drive. Your files are still there they are just not accessible. After doing the backup put the hard drive back in the computer and do a Factory Reset on the computer. Once the computer is backup and running copy your files back to the places they belong by using a thumb drive.

This same thing happened to me on March 5, 2019...all files gone after auto update in windows 10. No restore points to reset to an earlier date. And so far I have not been able to get any answers from Microsoft. That Virtual Agent is useless! If anyone knows a way to get back all my personal and business files that were lost PLEASE share!