Windows 10: Win10 crahed, no Shortcuts. Is there a WinIni file in Win10

I really haven't a clue where to post this so forgive me.

Three days ago, I came back to my sleeping computer and got nothing when I moved the mouse. Tried to reboot, but had to unplug power to the machine for 30 seconds, then the bios came up. When I finally was able to sign in to Windows, nearly every shortcut was missing, and I mean EVERY one. Microsoft wanted me to sign in by telling me to Sign Out (which meant Restart), and after stupidly trying that a number of times to no avail, I gave up. Process Explorer wanted me to Agree to its use, Firefox wanted me to open an account (fortunately I had it synced to my phone) but all was blank. Win10 was happy I choose it and wanted to take me on a tour. It's like I just bought the computer and had to initiate everything.

The A-Z list of programs was there on the Start Menu, but clicking on them brought up a popup telling me that I didn't have that program installed. Using Explorer brought up blank folders for documents, downloads, until I started to panic that all my files were destroyed.

I then tried System Restore, going back a day, then 2 days, then 5 days, until I was back at version 1903. Always the same situation, nothing remembered from the past. In previous Windows there was a WinIni file with all the remembered settings, if my memory serves me well, and this was as if that file had disappeared. Finally, I quit Restoring (many hours of waiting) because I was tired of having to re-sign in to browser, etc. And I was resigned to reloading all my files from backup.

At some point of going through Explorer, I got to This PC/C:/Users/, and there were most of the documents except those just temporary desktop files. Clicking on an Excel, or Word, file opened up the file after telling Word my name and initials.

So my question to you all is:
Is there a file in Win10 that stores all the settings for programs, libraries (Quick access only has Docs, Downloads, Pictures, Music, Videos, ditto for under This PC), programs, even my password manager, which came up blank? Or am I going to have to start from scratch with each program?

Let me know if you would like to see anything, screen shots or log files. BTW I'm getting old (77) and a bit rusty so be patient with my forgetfulness. I started out with DOS 2.0 and it's been downhill ever since. LOL

Thanks for all your good help and please Stay Safe, G

:)

 

Win10: windows update stuck at never ending loop ?

When in win10:

• Update&security -> Windows update -> Finding update... .... .... ....

Planning to download the latest Win10.ISO (vers.1803) and manually update:
- Then wait that my ordered new SSD arrives and clone the old HDD to it.

 

GeForce Hotfix driver 353.38 (Update: Win10 versions added)

https://forums.geforce.com/default/...vers/announcing-geforce-hotfix-driver-353-38/

Update: Windows 10 (international) versions below:
Win10 - 64 bit desktop
Win10 - 32 bit desktop
Win10 - 64 bit notebook
Win10 - 32 bit notebook

 

Win10 updates

Other than privacy issues, overall win10 is better that 8.1 metro crap