Windows 10: I lost my Desktop functionality, can I recover it?

Discus and support I lost my Desktop functionality, can I recover it? in Windows 10 Support to solve the problem; I had some files on my Softmaker office program that I wanted to put copies of on my desktop for easy access while I was working on a project. Instead... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Support' started by logman, Jun 20, 2016.

  1. logman Win User

    I lost my Desktop functionality, can I recover it?


    I had some files on my Softmaker office program that I wanted to put copies of on my desktop for easy access while I was working on a project. Instead of those few (a dozen or so) it pet all of them on and it seems it also put all the program files on also. I wound ip with over 400 files in the the desktop program although the actual desktop screen did not change.Itried several ways to undo it like deleting them to recycle but that did not work. I tried to do a System Restore but that would not work because one file (Bitdefender) would not allow it, evidently. I went to System Restore and tried to reconfigure but lost all restore points. Now many of Apps on the Start screen won't work, And if I access one the Start screen won't open again until I restart the computer. Internet Explorer and other programs wont work right if at all. can anyone Help.

    :)
     
    logman, Jun 20, 2016
    #1
  2. John582n Win User

    how can I recover my lost data

    How did you upgrade?

    Are you using the same user account?

    Is there a Windows.old folder present? if so your documents may be there. The folder is hidden - to view it:

    Click Start, type: hidden

    Click "Show hidden files and folders"

    Select "Show hidden files and folders"

    Click OK

    Locate the folder windows.old on your c drive

    See if your documents are there
     
    John582n, Jun 20, 2016
    #2
  3. how can I recover my lost data

    hey,

    A windows.old folder is made in the drive where you windows is installed usually C, that contains previous operating system

    If you upgraded recently, all your files under your username would be present in:

    C:/Windows.old/users/<Your username>

    Under this you would have folders named documents, downloads etc. you would find your files there.

    Remember to backup data before the upgrade.
     
    Sumit Dhiman2, Jun 20, 2016
    #3
  4. NavyLCDR New Member

    I lost my Desktop functionality, can I recover it?

    NavyLCDR, Jun 20, 2016
    #4
  5. logman Win User
    I am a little reluctant to open a new microsoft account. If I don't get any other suggestions I will try the new account option.I do appreciate the help and I'll let you know the outcome. I still can not access the internet with IE, my centurylink home page comes up but once it is up it just stays there until I either end it in Task Manager or restart the computer. The same sort of thing with the Start Screen, It wont even open when I click the window. If I set the Start Screen for full screen I can see all the Apps but they won't work. I am assuming something I did moved functions out of these programs and now they can't work right. So far I can still access the Internet with Chrome and some programs seem to work. Ironically Textmaker (part of Softmaker Office) still seems to work fine, that's where my trouble started. Thanks again......
     
    logman, Jun 20, 2016
    #5
  6. NavyLCDR New Member
    Did you see the part I bolded in my reply? The word LOCAL.
     
    NavyLCDR, Jun 21, 2016
    #6
  7. logman Win User
    No, I did not notice the LOCAL account emphasis. I am in the middle of an important legal project so I am not going to make changes until I am done with the project. I really do appreciate your input and I will try that when I am able to.
    Something I have noticed is that a lot of files seem to be in the wrong or inappropriate folders. Is there any easy way to correct that ?
     
    logman, Jun 21, 2016
    #7
  8. logman Win User

    I lost my Desktop functionality, can I recover it?

    NavyLCDR, Guru,
    I finished the days work and wondered if Bitdefender (one click optimizer) would help. I figured it could not hurt so I tried it. It seems to have worked Bitdefender removed, cleaned or relocated over 56,000 files. A lot of the files were redundant. Many of the files were Internet Explorer and Edge. It looks like They were caught in a loop that just kept running and would not let anything else run.
    I just want to say thanks again , just knowing I had a final option let me try other things first.........
     
    logman, Jun 22, 2016
    #8
  9. NavyLCDR New Member
    Glad it worked for you!
     
    NavyLCDR, Apr 4, 2018
    #9
Thema:

I lost my Desktop functionality, can I recover it?

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