Automated Windows 10 updates deleted all my documents and files

I had just the same problem  wiped some of my data on my server  crouped other files  windows became so unstable even the file explorer would crash th os  and say things like missing dlls  missng strings   missing files  my server was completely messed up after this update  files on raid storage drives that have nothing to do with windows or the os drive were affected as well  at this point i haft lost data and no one at micrsoft is owning up to there wrong doing i had a samll company a start up at that in voice over ip and hosting small file server and well i have had to back pay my clients due to this and close down till i can figurer out if wondows is safe for me  to uses any more i have decomitiond all computers running window 10 till an oficall anoucment is made   i might only have one server and 2 laptops but it dosent matter if the company is small or huge the fact that this has / could hapen agen is a masive problem from a producivity and law point of view  as if microsoft let the update out knowing it could do this it would actualy be illegle and could be  coniderd esponage and damage of property knowingly                                                                                                 a real sad day for me  i am fairly know my way around windows and doing server/it sutff thats why i uses it but this might be when i jump off the rolercoster

i'm another victim of the april update.  all of my pictures and videos are GONE!

If there is class action lawsuit going I'd like to join.   anyone know of one?

this is my computer.  and for microsoft to update it and delete all of my files off of it is illegal.  it has to be.  this is the last straw for me.   i'm installing linux.   i can't have my computer being corrupted.  it used to be i had to worry about viruses.  now i have to worry about windows updates.  I'm done with this company.

I have deleted the Windows.old Folder after the update. why not have notice about this problem ?

Hello John,

Files being lost after an update may be caused by you're signed in with a temporary profile or the files are moved to Windows.old folder. We recommend that you follow the methods below to retrieve your files:

Method 1: See if you're signed in with a temporary profile

1. Go to Settings then Accounts.
2. Click Sync your settings on the left pane.
3. Check if you see a message at the top that states You are logged on with a temporary profile. Roaming options are currently unavailable, if yes; Restart your computer then sign in again.

Note: We can't sign into your account. This problem can often be fixed by signing out of your account and then signing back in. can also be address by restarting your PC and signing in again.

You should back up everything you worked on since upgrading to an external drive, or it'll be deleted when you sign out of the temporary account.

Method 2:

Select the search box on the taskbar and search for your files. If you don’t see them and you’re not signed in with a temporary profile, use the troubleshooter to fix problems with Search. In the search box on the taskbar, type indexing, and then select Indexing Options. Select the Advanced Administrator icon button to view more options, then select the Troubleshoot search and indexing link and follow the steps.

More things to try:

• Some files might be hidden from view. In the search box, enter Show hidden files and folders. Under Hidden files and folders, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Then try searching for your files again.
• Look for all files of a certain type using the asterisk (*). For example, to search for all Word documents, search for *.doc. For music files, search for *.mp3.
• When you upgraded to Windows 10, some of your files may have been moved. To check the location of files you find, press and hold (or right-click) the file and select Open file location. Copy any files you want to move to a different location.

Method 3: Search for Windows.old folder

Click this link on how to retrieve file from the Windows.old folder. The article is also applicable for Windows 10.

If you think this was useful, feel free to "mark it as an answer" to help those who are facing the same problem.

Let us know if the methods above worked.

Hello everyone, just installed the 1809 October update... after installing, all files in my documents folder were gone... I've already used all the tricks mentioned here... still can't find it. I resorted to using a file recovery software... I retrieved most of my files, but I wasn't able to retrieve the most important ones. this is really bad.

I've got a better one and I hope there's a way to recover.  Windows update wiped out the contents of my Windows.old folder including some important documents.  How do I get them back.  I'm using a local account.