How to Recover Deleted Files after Windows 10 Update

I remember getting super excited for the Windows 10 update: After all, it was like stepping into the future with the fancy blocks and graphics. However, all this excitement quickly turned into anxiety as I realized that some of my essential files went missing.

The Real Reasons Why Windows 10 Updates Delete Files

Here are the prime culprits behind the deletion of your important data after an update:

Unexpected Update Sequences

Windows 10 doesn’t offer the option to pause or delay updates. As a result, most updates occur in the background.

Here’s how you can disable the default automatic installation of new updates.

1. In the start menu, key in “Edit Group Policy” and open it.
2. Go to: Computer configuration > Administrative templates > Windows Components > Windows Update and choose Configure automatic updates.
3. Check the Enabled button and pick the 2nd option – Notify for download and auto-install.
4. Now, Windows will no longer force an automatic update. Instead, Windows will merely check for updates and not download them. You will receive a notification if there are any new updates available.
5. Upon addressing the notification, the Windows Update Module pops up for the download and installation of an update.

Buggy Security Windows Updates

Well, the good old saying is true: Don’t update right away until a ton of good reviews pop up.

You are probably wondering why a software giant like Microsoft still releases buggy updates that delete files. Technically speaking, unlike Apple, Windows runs on tons of different PC brands.

Consequently, it’s challenging for Microsoft to foresee and clear possible bugs before an actual update surfaces. However, the Windows dev team is quick to resolve these bugs.

Read more about one such bug here. Without any further ado, let’s dive right into how you can recover files after a Windows update.

9 Effective & Straightforward Techniques to Recover Files After Windows Update

Here’s our list of the top file recovery methods after an update:

1. Using The Administrator Account to Recover Data after Windows Update

If you upgraded from Windows 7 to 10, there are chances you created a Microsoft account in the process. As a result, your data could reside within the Administrator account – which is initially disabled.

Here’s how you can gain access to your missing files:

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Key in Computer Management and click on it.
3. Navigate as per this path: Computer Management > Local Users and Groups > Users.
4. Double click on the Administrator account (first row in the image).
5. Uncheck the Account is disabled box.
6. Click on Apply > OK.
7. Next, sign out of the current account.
8. Sign in with your admin account.

2. Uninstall the Update and Retrieve Your Files

What if you could roll back the update and get back to basking in the good old days? Well, here’s how you can do that:

1. Open Settings.
2. Head over to Update & Security and click on Windows Update.
3. Now, click on View Update History > Uninstall Updates.
4. Type in the buggy update ID into the search box, and press Enter.
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   Note: To quickly check out what version of Windows you’re on, use the shortcut Windows key + R and key in Winver and then select OK.

   

5. Restart your PC after the update gets uninstalled. Your files should be accessible now.

If the above steps didn’t work, you could also head over to File Explorer and then C:\Users\ . There are chances that the main user folder is renamed. For instance, if the user profile folder is C:\Users\Joshua there might be a C:\Users\Joshua.bak or C:\Users\Joshua.000 folder. This renamed folder will have your files.

3. Recover from a Previous System Restore Point

The restore point is a nifty feature in Windows. In a nutshell, if you run into a critical error upon installing a new application, or update – the system restore essentially rolls back the settings and configurations to an earlier point in time.

Here’s how you can recover data after Windows Update using System Restore:

1. Open Start.
2. Key in Create a restore point.
3. Click the first result and enter the System Properties page.
4. Click on the System Restore button. If you can’t click on the button, it means there is no available restore point.
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   System Restore is disabled by default. Here’s how you can enable it.

5. Click on Next.
6. Select the desired restore point.
7. Click on Close > Next > Finish.

Now, your PC would have teleported back in time to undo the buggy update.

4. Sign Out from the Temporary Windows Profile

After a Windows update, there are chances you encounter the “You have been logged in with a temporary profile” alert. Consequently, your desktop would be lifeless with your profile files gone and Windows settings back to default.

Here’s how you can check if you’re on a temporary profile:

1. Open Settings.
2. Head over to Accounts.
3. Click on Sync your settings.
4. If you encounter the following message, – you’re on a temporary profile.
5. Reboot your computer.
6. Sign in with your account.

Now, you should be able to access all your original files and folders.

There’s another workaround solution to this problem as well:

1. Restart your computer while holding down on the Shift key – this boots your computer into safe mode.
2. Now, reboot out of safe mode. Your PC should restart normally and bring back your default user profile.

5. Thoroughly Search for Your Files

While upgrading Windows, sometimes your data moves to a different location or folder. As a result, conducting a manual file search could help you locate that data:

1. Open up File Explorer (Windows key + E).
2. Click on This PC on the left panel.
3. Key your file name into the top right search box.

Additionally, File Explorer has a nifty feature that helps filter out your search results. You can drop down the kind tab and select a file type for a more refined search.

Furthermore, you can conduct a more comprehensive search by unraveling your hidden files/folders. Here’s how you can unhide files:

1. Go to File Explorer.
2. Under the View Tab, click on Options > Folder Options.
3. Under the Advanced Settings section of the View tab, check the option for showing hidden files.

Now, you can initiate your file searches. You never know: You were probably fretting over a file that was accidentally hidden!

If none of the above methods worked for you, it’s time to bring in the big guns: Data Recovery Software.

When selecting a data recovery tool, there’s a handful of factors you need to consider before making a decision. We have compiled a list of the best tools out there.

We have some more methods for you to recover your deleted files. These methods might be a bit obvious, albeit worth a shot!

7. Using File History to Restore Files

On the off chance that you backed up files before upgrading your OS, the backup restore would get your data back.

To restore a backup, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup. Scroll down and click the Restore files from a current backup button.

Windows shows the backed-up folders. Sift through the results to locate the files you need. Then, click the green button at the bottom to restore the files.

8. Backup and Restore Feature on Windows 10

This is a more conventional approach to restoring your stored backups. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
3. Under the Restore section, click on the Restore my files button.
4. Click on the Browse for files button.
5. Browse through the backup and mark the files you would like to recover. Click on the Add files button.
6. If you want to recover an entire folder, click on the browse for folders button; Mark the folders for recovery and click on Next.
7. Specify the destination for saving the restored files. Click on restore> Finish.

9. Checking the Windows.old folder

When you opt for a Windows 10 upgrade, the OS creates a folder named “Windows.old” which copies the previous version’s data – for recovery.

Here’s how you can recover data from the Windows.old folder:

1. Head to the File Explorer.
2. Click on the This PC option.
3. Enter the Local Disk (C:) drive.
4. Open the Windows.old folder.

This folder would contain your personal files and data. Now, you can move these files to a desirable location.

FAQs

Key Takeaways

Did your files get deleted after a Windows update? Fret not because there’s a handful of techniques to get your data back.

We covered certain methods like conducting a refined search and signing out of the temporary profile. Moreover, try to use a data recovery tool – which simplifies the data recovery process.

Additionally, if you have backups, restore the saved backup, and you’re good to go.

We want to leave you with one bit of advice: Backup, backup & backup. It merely takes a few minutes to schedule automated backups. Let us know in the comments which technique you found the most helpful.