This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Last night I updated to 1809, and it all went smoothly, but then I find that all my files in Documents are DELETED. Gone. Poof. This included many crucial documents and financial info. Yes, I have a backup (I think - using Windows Backup to a NAS). But this is pretty bad. Did no one in the first two rings run into this yet?
I understand (from the news) that this happens to all files in Documents that aren't synced to OneDrive. Further, the Documents folder is really an agglomeration of "Documents" from several different paths - not sure how that works, and it may or may not relate.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
i had major issues getting the 1809 update after finally getting to update it everything seemed fine but turning on my system today all my files have been deleted, im running the 1809 update build 17763.316, is microsoft going to pay for me to use some recovery software to get my data back
Glad to know there are signs of "eureka" still on others people's lost data.... I updated my
Dad to 1809 two weeks ago. That was with remote help from MS after the *huge* update downloaded for the 4th time or so and then just failed anyway like "not today..." so I finally got impatient enough to call in. And now I'm looking at about 10 years of family geneology work becoming only a memory because 1809 ate it or whatnot..... and this is in February 2019, not last October when the trainwreck commenced as it's fits and starts would play out.
The files missing are called .PAF files and they are specific to certain geneology softwares. So if anyone else happens to be able to suggest other options to recover this lost info, I'm all ears and all gratitude because my Dad (who did that geneological work) is friggin pissed as anyone else might expect would be the case. So.... I would love to hear any ideas from anyone about how to fix this....
And somewhat related: to the support rep yesterday after 2 hours talking, zero results, and even less substantial explanations as to why..... PLEASE KNOW: it was rude and flippant to ask if you could close the ticket anyway, like you'd resolved anything at all. You don't get to say software's failures to update alongside windows simply loss data, and if you did it would NOT BE after we both just witnessed the program working as fine as always until it came time to open the project.
To the other techs, thanks for continuing to help and sorry I'm negative and soooooo over this.... And if any readers happen to know much about genealogical softwares that use .paf files, gedcom files, and what to do when they just vanish and no one wants to hold themselves responsible, I'm all ears.
I was somewhat lucky. I updated to version 1809 this morning. It went faster than usual, and than I expected. As much as I can see, all My Documents were still there, but all Downloads were removed. It's okay. I have a backup of all my documents and most of my downloads, so I didn't lose much really. I noticed that most, if not all, of the system files and documents, are now compressed, including desktop icons for programs, and documents saved on desktop. When I looked at C: drive properties, I saw that 'Compress this drive to save disk space' option checkbox was not checked. That's strange. Then I ran the 'Compact /CompactOS:query' command at the command line prompt, and it said that the hard drive system files were not compacted, because it was not needed.
You my find your files missing after 1809 update but your files should still be there. after update seems the correct file path is not set and still points to a temp folder. So if you find your files missing open file explorer and right click on your Documents folder or Pictures etc and then click properties then click on Location tab and check the file path I would bet its still pointing to the Temp folder if that is the case simply replace the file path to C:\Users\Your-User-name\Documents and all your files will be there. do same for Pictures, Music etc.
Microsoft should be addressing as I see people telling others to restore pc or buy recovery software etc. I would bet all those people just needed to set the correct file path. I have fixed over half dozen pc's already with file path issues and calls keep coming in I have noticed its only with oem versions of Win10 and not Retail. Either way MS needs to address this .
On Side Note
Always keep back up copy's on a usb stick or a portable usb drive
Hello to all the readers at the Microsoft Web Site. I wrote the above^comment because so many including myself did in fact loose data and important files and programs when this happened too.
How or Why this happened is as unknown to me as it is to many programmers who work at Microsoft itself!
Microsoft has made Good on it by Fixing Win10 and Updating the Windows 10~ 1807 to 1809 with a Windows 10 Pro~update Patch Installer.
I was told by someone to look at Microsoft Windows itself ever since we were given: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, and now ...the Last O/S...Windows 10 Pro.
Many Patches and Updates were needed for each and every one of these Systems since they were created and updated over the years. See, every new operating system has Glitches, yet yes, I still fully understand that Whatever Happened which cause us to each loose all of our data and programs was a major issues and a horrible mess!
I had also thought that this ..."only happened " to people who-did Update there windows 7 to Windows 10 yet That was incorrect because it happened to me also with an HP Laptop that I purchased with Windows 10 Professional already installed on it. So, it wasn't an isolated issue.
Yes, we can vent and voice our frustrations here but that isn't going to bring back our files and programs is it? ...No, it isn't friends., So, what Now you might ask? I say...let us all Forgive them at Microsoft for they too are only human and as we are also and also-Know, we All 'make mistakes'. let each of us continue forward with, Lord Willing...That behind us!
Also, there was one other thing that I wanted to bring to your attention that I showed to Dr. Dan.
IF, you are having a problem Validating your copy of windows 10 -or- Microsoft Office do this to fix that problem...
Type CMD and when she opens~Right Click and Run it As Administrator> Type in:
slmgr.vbs/ ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
(Where you see xxx Use Your Licence) . Next type:
slmgr.vbs/ ato (and hit enter).
If you still run into a problem, do This ...
Press Win Key+ R ...Run command Boxopen and type in or Copy and Paste this:
Type: Slui.exe 4 "and then Hit enter" another Box opens... and then...
Call to Activate @ 1-855-801-0109****in the USA and…
(Have the 25-40 digit numbers ready).I hope this helps you and some others my friend, bye and may Adonai "The Lord" Bless you all, Bye, Michael.
