Windows 10: Files Missing from Known Folders

Hello all,


Recently all of the files in my Windows 10 'known folders' e.g. Documents, Pictures, Music etc have become lost and all of the folders/file paths are now empty and I'm baffled as to what may have caused it.


To paint a clearer picture on the issue, if you look in the screenshot below, you will see that my photo's app is referencing a couple of 'recent' images for me to open whilst showing the file path in which they should be located. If I try to click the image however, it says 'file cannot be found'. Same if I try to navigate to that file path, the image won't be there.. although I know prior to this issue it definitely was!






This has happened to ALL of the files in my known folders and I cannot find them anywhere.. I've searched each file path manually, and I've tried searching for file names through Windows but nothing. I only ever see the file names referenced as 'recent' files in different applications and I always get the same error over and over 'file cannot be found'.


I didn't move the files for them to go missing at least not intentionally and I cannot think of what could have caused this. If anyone has any experience, or knows a way I can try find them somehow, please let me know!


I've also checked the recycling bin..


Cheers, Mike!

:)

 

Pinned & Recent Folder Missing From Explorer in Start

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I understand that the quick access and recently oped files option are missing. We will assist you to resolve the issue.

I suggest you to follow the steps given below and check if it helps to resolve the issue.

• Open File explorer.
• Click on View and then Options.
• Choose Folder and search options.
• Under General Tab and under Privacy, make sure to place a check mark on Show recently used files and recently used folder in Quick access.

Hope the information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.

 

Files and folder missing on computer after retreving from the Windows.old folder.

Hi Michael,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

As per the description, I understand that files and folder are missing from the computer which was retrieved from Windows.old folder. We will assist you to resolve the issue.

As an initial troubleshooting step, I suggest you to search for the missing files just by typing the name of the missing files on the search bar on the Desktop and also from the file explorer search and check if that helps to resolve the issue.

I also suggest you to refer to the article provided below and check if that helps to resolve the issue.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/find-lost-files-after-the-update-to-windows-10

Hope the information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.

 

Files missing from "Start Menu" "All Programs"

RE: WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE 32bit, Files missing from "Start Menu" "All Programs" list.

I have several "start menu" programs missing in my "all programs" list. One of the missing entries is the "accessories" folder and all related files.

As far as I can tell all of the missing files are on the system and they can be found by using the "start menu search" facility. This problem is occurring with other users but I can not find a solution which works to get things back the way they were after installing the OS.

I am seeing the missing apps and other items at this location in iexplore.exe %allusersprofile%\Start Menu\Programs .

Everything I have tried to get these items back into my "start menu" "all programs" list has been met with failure except creating a shortcut. A shortcut is not the real fix as it leaves two entries in the folder.

When I right click on the highlighted "all Programs" box, in the start menu, a small options list pops up, if "open all users" is selected a new window pops up. Inside that window I can click on the programs folder where I can see the missing entries that should appear on my "all programs" list plus those which I presently see on my "all programs" list together in a single directory listing.

How can I get the above directory list of programs back into the "start menu" "all programs" area so I do not have to go through this extra window and select the programs folder to locate what I wish to run?

I also noticed my accessories folder has a lock on it while I am in the primary user administrator account. If you know how to get rid of the lock it would be helpful however I can find that information when I get a chance to look up the answer?

I noticed some hidden (first tier) folders on the C: drive which I made visible while leaving protection on the OS folders. I can now see these folders in an iexplore.exe directory listing. This did not fix the problem in the "all programs" file selection list and I do not remember if this folder was hidden when the OS was installed.

When I opened up the system to allow a login directly into the Administrator account everything shows up the same as it did when the OS installed along with all other programs installed afterward.

After some progress I am still here *Bang Head :banghead: and slowly getting closer to an answer. Can anyone help me get there a little faster?