Windows 10: Lost a lot of files, need help getting them back

I was trying to get rid of a ghost file on my desktop through the rmdir command in Command Prompt, but I made a stupid mistake and accidentally deleted all the files on my desktop, which I then tried to rectify with a system restore, only to discover that I barely got any of the files back. I've lost literal years worth of content because of my mistake, and I'm desperate to get it back. I've tried a few different file restoration programs, but haven't been able to get back anything from my desktop. I need a solution as quickly as possible.

:)

 

Np5 problems - a lot of them...

There are solutions to most of your problems, but it seems that you don't want them any more.

So I won't waste any more of my time here......

 

Np5 problems - a lot of them...

Ive answered all your questions,get a Sony Ericsson that has a 5 Mp Camera,GPS,N-Gage,Microsoft Office and Wi-Fi ALL IN ONE!!!!

 

If programs like recuva etc do not work, you are probably goosed unless you are prepared to pay for very expensive specialist services.

I know it is probably too late now, but please learn to backup data. You should do this anyway as there is always some chance the hdd will fail EVEN if brand new.

Best option is to buy an external usb hard drive.

 

da Cloud and flash drives are super cheap now.

 

I just tried Recuva and it was able to display a large portion of the files that I lost, but several are overwritten and some that I know were deleted aren't listed. Should I just proceed with the recovery or is there something else that might be able to bring back more of my files?

 

Recover them to a different drive. you probably overwrote a few files when you installed your recovery program.

 

I know it's to late do do it now but this is a example of why you should always have backups of important files.

 

Hello Guys and Gals, i learnt my lesson a few years ago, now i always have at least 2 Images on a EXT HD, it saved my A$$ this past week.

Thanks

 

To all those telling me to make backups, I get it. I'm definitely going to be more careful in the future, but making backups isn't going to help me right now. I need a way to get back the files that I've already lost.

 

ThePhoenix... don't shoot the messenger. If you do not have a backup, do what Winuser said in post #5. Do not do much more until you do. The more you try to mess with it, the more likely you will lose more files. If you do not have an ext drive of some kind, make that your first errand for the morning. You can recover them to a USB thumb drive. Run down to Staples, Best Buy, Radio Shack, anywhere you can pick one up. Make your best guess at the size, but 32GB should be more than adequate. Do your best to get back what you can, and accept the fact you may not get them all. You can't recover something that is simply not there or anywhere else.

No sermons on backups, you got the point.

If you would like advice on backup methods later, post again.

Right now... stop the bleeding.

TC

 

While using Recuva, I discovered what were referred to as "shadow copies" of my C drive, and there's one in particular that seems to list all of the files that were accidentally deleted. Is it possible to use a shadow copy to restore everything I lost?

 

Yes, there is, if shadow copies were made of that folder called Desktop -- according to a source I kinda sorta heard about awhile back. I'm not a shadow copy recovery person in the slightest, you have to find one somewhere somehow in your area or in here.
However, as much as possible, all of this must be done from a usb or dvd boot and the utilities working from the usb or dvd. The more c-drive Windows runs, the more writing and deleting and writing it does.

 

I'm not at all certain if this will help. Resplendence has an Undeluxe utility that when resident, makes a tiny text file pointing to each and every file deleted [if the allocated delete pot is large enough]. What I do not know: if undeluxe, running from a usb or dvd boot, will in some way "search for, find, and report" deleted files that it finds.

 

Shadow Copies usually refers to Restore Points. For now, if you can, recover everything Recuva can, including the "shadow copies". One step at a time. If they are, in fact, Restore Points, there are ways to "explore" the Restore Point and extract the files. I do not want to get into the nuts and bolts of that at this point. Get the Recuva done first! Stop the bleeding! To an ext drive.