Automated Windows 10 updates deleted all my documents and files

Jackie..

Tell your IT tech that the data is not gone. There are 2 things he can do.

1st. When you are on the Desktop that you can't click on anything tell him to hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete and hold the shift key and Click on the reset menu item. The computer will reboot and open with some different block choices. Click on Reset your PC and alot of the times it will ask if you want to keep your data. Tell him to answer yes. After about a half hour your computer should restart with windows 10 reinstalled and your files in tact. You will need to reinstall your programs again.

2. If the first one does not work have him remove your hard drive from the computer. Your data is still all in tact its the system profile that is trashed. Copy your users folder which contains your documents and other files. After he does that put the hard drive back in the computer and then re-install windows 10 your files will be safe and you will have a copy of them.. After he returns the computer to you sign up for OneDrive and use this to back  up your important files regularly.

I have done the above o 10 laptops this week and all have worked correctly after complete and all files intact.

Rick

Exactly the same thing has happened to my computer. Left with a Black screen where all you can see is the recycle bin and can't do a thing!!

I've given to a colleague at work whose in our IT department and he said that he will have to reload all the software and all the data is gone!!

make things worse is while moving countries, I have misplaced the disks that came with my computer so I'm going to have to purchase the software.

Microsoft = seriously how can this happen??

AnnieS1, thank you that is a route that worked for me in retrieving my files. Wont ever trust Microsoft again and I see an Apple in my future.

Hello everyone!

I also have an ASUS and it also went to black screen Windows after the forced update last night. While I haven't found the solution yet, there is a way to get your files off your computer which it sounds like might be useful. Mine aren't visible, but aren't gone either.  Might we compare the black screen Windows to an alternate timeline in a sci-fi thriller where everything is still the same...you just can't see it.  Or at least I hope this is the same for you...

There are 2 ways to get to the task manager, left clicking anywhere does nothing, that has been established, but if you right click on the magnifying glass you get some options.

Alternately, in black screen Windows select Ctrl Alt Dlt to prompt the logoff screen and go to the task manager. In the task manager window Click on File -->create new task then click on browse. This will open up a "my computer" type window.  I think it defaulted to 'my PC' folder but if you scroll down to the bottom of the side window on the left you should see your hard drive OS (C:). Double click on that and your user file should be accessible which should have your files and a bunch of other program folders and The windows.old file is also here on mine. Navigate to the file or folders you want, right click on them and select copy.

If you insert an external hardrive or USB memory it should also show on the left window below the C harddrive. After you copy your files, navigate over to the external drive and double click on it. Then right click and paste the files in. Whew!

Of course this isn't a solution to get your computer up and running but saves money on unneeded data recovery service. And we may be able to use some of the "solutions" suggested by Mr/Mrs. Microsoft from this task manager window that has been so helpful. But first let's get our data backed up to primarily....reduce our stress level....and in case any of the solutions really do delete files as occurred last fall's update which started this thread.

I haven't gotten any of the blue screen trouble shoot options to work yet but I will post again if I do. I will complete my data backed up and then try some more things.

I mean, I wasn't trying to imply that you should be constantly on the defensive. Clearly  I wasn't. I'm just saying, if, like me, your OS ended up borked, reset (not rollback) might help.