Windows 10: Which personal files will Windows 10 Refresh keep?

I use Directory Opus file manger on Windows 10. Because of this I have been storing a lot of folders directly in my user profile and not in the dedicated "document" folder. I would like to know if I should move all those files and folders to the dedicated Document folder if I need to do Windows refresh. I know that it is supposed to keep my files and folders, but it seems that file history only keeps track of documents in those dedicated folders, so I wasnt sure if this was the case for refresh. I would rather move the folders temporarily before losing them.

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

personal data files missing after refreshing the PC with Windows 8.1

My PC with Windows 8.1 suddenly had problems and couldn't load Windows properly and it suggested to refresh the PC. I followed the suggestion and click to refresh the PC.

When the PC restarted again, the C drive is 90% free instead 10% free before refreshing, and I cannot locate or find any of my personal data files. I check the windows.old directory and the subdirectories are all empty.

Is there any way I can recover my personal files?

Thanks for the help.

 

Refresh erasing files.

Refresh Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Which option did you choose?

And it sounds as if you don't have a backup strategy. Amongst other things we strongly and repeatedly urge people to use disk imaging- which should be supported by another means to protect critical files you are working on.

[table][tr][td]Keep my files [/td] [td]

• This is to refresh Windows 10.
• Reinstalls Windows 10 and keeps your personal files.
• Removes apps and drivers you installed.
• Removes changes you made to settings.
• Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed. (If your PC came with Windows 10, apps from your PC manufacturer will be reinstalled.)

[/td] [/tr] [tr][td]Remove everything[/td] [td]

• This is to reset Windows 10.
• Reinstalls Windows 10 and removes all your personal files.
• Removes apps and drivers you installed.
• Removes changes you made to settings.
• Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed. (If your PC came with Windows 10, apps from your PC manufacturer will be reinstalled.)
• If you're planning to donate, recycle, or sell your PC, use this option and choose to fully clean the drive. This might take an hour or two, but it makes it harder for other people to recover files you've removed.

[/td] [/tr] [/table]