my computer restarted and everything is gone

megan chamberlain 40 Reputation points
2026-07-25T12:24:56.4+00:00

My computer was taking forever to start yesterday morning and when it finally did everything was gone, all my documents, photos, apps, screen icons etc. All of it gone, it is like I have a new computer. I think it has done an update or something and if I have read correctly created a temp Profile ?

I am not a computer expert and can only do the basics. Please help, I am desperate

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update
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DYARI BARHAM 37,661 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-01T06:25:12.7766667+00:00

You are most welcome. Glad to hear that your issue is resolved. Feel free to rate my answer. Have a nice day.

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DYARI BARHAM 37,661 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-07-31T06:06:55.9966667+00:00

Sorry for the delayed response. You do not need to start from scratch. Since you found your original files and copied them to an external drive, your important data is protected.

Please safely disconnect the external drive, and then try the following:

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

Select the Power icon in the lower-right corner.

Hold down the Shift key and select Restart.

Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

When the options appear, press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Sign in using your normal account password. Your PIN may not work in Safe Mode.

Check whether your original desktop, icons and files have returned.

Restart the computer normally and sign in again.

You can also create a new account and move your copied files into that account. Restart your computer multiple times to see if the new account works fine. Otherwise, perform a clean install:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-signin/manage-user-accounts-in-windows

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  1. megan chamberlain 40 Reputation points
    2026-07-26T20:12:29.9433333+00:00

    IMG_0891

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  2. megan chamberlain 40 Reputation points
    2026-07-26T20:13:18.3666667+00:00

    IMG_0892

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  3. DYARI BARHAM 37,661 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-07-28T08:50:08.41+00:00

    Thank you for the screenshots. The %userprofile% command worked and opened your current user-profile folder. However, I cannot see its complete location in the screenshot.

    Please press Ctrl + L while File Explorer is open. This will display and select the full address at the top.

    Please send me the address shown. You may replace your personal name with YOUR_NAME, but please do not hide words or endings such as TEMP, .000, or the computer name.

    For example:

    C:\Users\TEMP

    C:\Users\YOUR_NAME

    C:\Users\YOUR_NAME.000

    Please also confirm whether the profile name is the same as the Vinta folder you found earlier.

    Please do not move or delete any files yet.

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