Windows 10: Lost content of windows.old after upgrade

Hi there,


I have a very vital problem. Some weeks ago, I corrupted the boot file for my windows when attempting splitting partitions to enable dual boot. Yesterday, I reinstalled windows with a bootable disk for windows preview that I had in 2018. Everything worked perfectly after the reinstallation - at least all my files and programs were still in windows.old folder. I wanted to copy them out, but I kept seeing a message that the current build needs to be updated. So I did that overnight using windows update. I woke up this morning, booted the computer and I did not see any contents in my windows.old folder. The name was the user was shortened and all the contenthas gone . I am super confused as I do not know where to run to or what to do. I have vital information on the hard disk. I was wondering if retutning back to the previous build will bring back my lost data. On file explorer, the hard disk

:)

 

Lost files after upgrading to Windows 10.

Hello Paul,



Thanks for posting on Microsoft Community. We regret the inconvenience caused and will assist you in resolving the issue.



From the above description, I understand you have lost the files after upgrading to Windows 10 on your computer.



Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• 
  How did you upgrade to Windows 10 (Using Media Creation Tool or Windows Updates)?
  
• 
  How many days has it been since upgrading to Windows 10?
  
• 
  Did you check if the lost files are found in
  windows.old folder?
  

When you upgrade to Windows 10, the previous Windows files and folders are automatically stored in
C:\Windows.old folder. This folder is kept by Windows only for one month (30 days). After one month Windows 10 will automatically delete the folder.



The files & folders from the previous operating system after the upgrade to Windows 10 might have been saved in the
windows.old folder. Check if the lost files and folders are present in
windows.old folder by following the steps below:



Step 1: Using Cortana

• 
  Press Windows icon key on the keyboard and type
  windows.old in the search box.
  
• 
  Select the search result which shows folder and drive location of the program.
  
• 
  Follow the file/folder path to check the contents of the same.
  

Step 2: Using Windows explorer

• 
  Press Windows logo + E keys on the keyboard to open Windows Explorer.
  
• 
  Click on This PC option from the left side panel of the window.
  
• 
  Type windows.old in the Search This PC
  box located at the top right corner of the window.
  
• 
  Follow the file/folder path to check the contents of the same.
  

Refer to the link below on Find lost files after the update to Windows 10 and check if it helps.

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



Write to us with the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.

 

After upgrading to Windows 10 stored e mails are missing

I have also lost all of the folders I had created for my Comcast email (used Outlook) when I upgraded to Windows 10. I tried the steps listed but this did not work for me. Any other suggestions?

 

Files lost after Automatic Repair

Hi,

We understand the issue you are facing and will assist you.

I suggest you to refer the link provided below and check if it helps.

The files & folders from the previous operating system after the upgrade to Windows 10 might have been saved in the
windows.old folder. Check if the lost files and folders are present in
windows.old folder by following the steps below:



Step 1: Using Cortana

• 
  Press Windows icon key on the keyboard and type
  windows.old in the search box.
  
• 
  Select the search result which shows folder and drive location of the program.
  
• 
  Follow the file/folder path to check the contents of the same.
  

Step 2: Using Windows explorer

• 
  Press Windows logo + E keys on the keyboard to open Windows Explorer.
  
• 
  Click on This PC option from the left side panel of the window.
  
• 
  Type windows.old in the Search This PC
  box located at the top right corner of the window.
  
• 
  Follow the file/folder path to check the contents of the same.
  

Refer to the link below on Find lost files after the update to Windows 10 and check if it helps.

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



Hope this helps. Keep us posted on the status for further assistance.