one year later, still a Windows Update issue
- From: j l
- Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:39:03 -0700
Seriously, these people must be paid to say stupid, mean, derogatory things about you, instead of actually answering the question.
First off, get a Mac.
Second, to all those still struggling with this problem, who happen to stumble upon these ridiculous, self-righteous answers (thanks Google), here's some sweet relief:
You are not alone.
Where those files are hiding NOW:
http://www.howtofixcomputers.com/forums/windows-xp/all-files-desktop-my-documents-folder-missing-after-upgrade-towindows-xp-service-pack-3-internet-explorer-8-a-254376-5.html
..Bak profiles, and how to bring them home:
http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-vista/missing-desktop-files-folders/2620.html
Best Answer(s) Yet:
http://cherrybyte.blogspot.com/2007/07/fixing-user-profiles-in-vista.html
That last one seems to solve everyone's problems! My personal favorite.
<3
J
PS~ For further proof, an 80-something year old client of mine shared your problem. He couldn't cause this mess, you didn't either.
Kat wrote:
AFTER UPDATING, FILES ARE MISSING FROM MY DESKTOP
10-Feb-08
Last Thursday night I was working on my laptop, specifically on school stuff
which all gets saved in a folder SCHOOL on my desktop. Friday morning (I
think after updates were installed), the folder, and about two other misc
folders are gone from my desktop. They aren't in the recycle bin, and my
anti-virus software does not seem to have touched them. When I open Word and
try to open a document saved in this "missing" folder, it cannot. I did a
system restore to Feb 2. When it finished booting up, all of my folders were
there, and then two of them disappeared in front of my eyes. SCHOOL was back
however. When I opened SCHOOL, most of the subfolders were missing, there
were no documents in it, and the subfolders that WERE there contained
unidentifiable files.
I am in medical school. I NEED my SCHOOL folder.
Please don't make me switch to a Mac. This is CRAZINESS
Previous Posts In This Thread:
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 6:56 PM
Kat wrote:
AFTER UPDATING, FILES ARE MISSING FROM MY DESKTOP
Last Thursday night I was working on my laptop, specifically on school stuff
which all gets saved in a folder SCHOOL on my desktop. Friday morning (I
think after updates were installed), the folder, and about two other misc
folders are gone from my desktop. They aren't in the recycle bin, and my
anti-virus software does not seem to have touched them. When I open Word and
try to open a document saved in this "missing" folder, it cannot. I did a
system restore to Feb 2. When it finished booting up, all of my folders were
there, and then two of them disappeared in front of my eyes. SCHOOL was back
however. When I opened SCHOOL, most of the subfolders were missing, there
were no documents in it, and the subfolders that WERE there contained
unidentifiable files.
I am in medical school. I NEED my SCHOOL folder.
Please don't make me switch to a Mac. This is CRAZINESS
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 7:18 PM
TaurAria wrote:
You may never find an answer to this (and most likely WU didn't do it) - so
You may never find an answer to this (and most likely WU didn't do it) - so
give up and just replace the missing files from the numerous backups that you
make of your important data. You do make backup copies of your important data
don't you?
K
"Kate" wrote:
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:25 PM
Kat wrote:
Yes I do back up, but now I'm scared to even save things to my desktop.
Yes I do back up, but now I'm scared to even save things to my desktop.
Every one I've talked to thinks it's a WU thing. What kind of thing could
have happened that these folders just magically disappeared, and after a
restore don't fully come back?
"TaurArian" wrote:
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:50 PM
TaurAria wrote:
Kate, SR doesn't restore user's files.
Kate, SR doesn't restore user's files. By using SR, you only backdated the
computer to before the updates were installed. It doesn't affect your
personal documents etc. If they were gone, then they would still be gone
after a SR. Read the FAQ on SR.
BTW Why are you saving files to the desktop, you should be saving files in
"my documents". Have you searched "my documents". Perhaps you only lost the
shortcut from the desktop to your work.
Look/search, you may find the files.
Otherwise restore the files from your backups and make sure you make regular
backups.
No one relies 100% on the computer - the hard drive could fail, viruses etc.
Everyone I talk to says it's not Windows Update related.
K
"Kate" wrote:
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 9:07 PM
David H. Lipman wrote:
Re: AFTER UPDATING, FILES ARE MISSING FROM MY DESKTOP
From: "Kate" <Kate@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Then switch to a MAC because installing Windows Updates will NOT delete your personal data.
This was accidentally done by you or deliberately/accidently done by someone who had access
to your notebook.
Additionally, the System restore cache does NOT store documents. The System Restore cache
only backs up; EXE files, DLL files, the Registry and other critical OS/Software related
constructs.
BTW: If those files were so critical, why didn't make backups ?
I hear your pain but remember, computers are relatively worthless. Data has the "true"
value. A valuable, but costly, lesson was learned in this.
**Please do learn form this lesson.
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 9:21 PM
Shenan Stanley wrote:
Re: AFTER UPDATING, FILES ARE MISSING FROM MY DESKTOP
Kate wrote:
TaurArian wrote:
Kate wrote:
TaurArian wrote:
Kate,
TaurArian is correct - it is HIGHLY unlikely it had anything to do with
Windows Updates. Nothing is 100% certain - ever - however. So there is an
off-chance in the billion-to-one odds that maybe you hit upon some set of
coincidences that caused it to look like WU had something to do with it...
(Bad hard disk sectors in just the right place, a deletion of a file or two
you did right before - emptying of the Recycle bin, and all that combined
with the phase of the moon (thought I would throw in that last bit for fun)
and the reboot after applying the patches - *boom* folders gone.
TaurArian is also correct in the explanation of System Restore (for the most
part.) It *can* affect certain user files - but completely ignores others.
This may be why TaurArian suggested storing things in "My Documents" - the
system folder created specifically for a User's personal files and
completely ignored by System Restore.
List of files/folders that System Restore does/doesn't monitor:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html
In the restore process, what's restored and what's not:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/tips.html#19
What you can do now:
Check: %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\ for a folder by your username.
Is there only ONE of them - or more than one? If more than one - explore
both - particularly the DESKTOP folders under each one.
Remember even ONE file name? Do a complete search of your system for that
filename. Make sure Hidden and System Files are visible and searched using
the Advanced options in the search.
Try "Recuva" to look for your files:
http://www.recuva.com/
Try "UnDelete" to look for your files:
http://www.undelete.com/
Know the more you actually utilize the system - the more likely the files
(if erased and not accidentally moved someplace) will be unrecoverable.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 10:09 PM
Kat wrote:
"This was accidentally done by you or deliberately/accidently done by someone
"This was accidentally done by you or deliberately/accidently done by
someone who had access
to your notebook. "
It literally happened while I was asleep, alone, in my apartment. Would
someone have access over an unsecure network? I'm not as upset about the
missing files (thank God they weren't crucial) as much as I am just freaked
out wondering what happened....
For the author above:
I did remember a file name and did a complete search for it. It showed the
file had two shortcuts located at these two places
C:\Users\Kate\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows and \Office
Does that mean anything to anyone?
"David H. Lipman" wrote:
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 10:44 PM
David H. Lipman wrote:
Re: AFTER UPDATING, FILES ARE MISSING FROM MY DESKTOP
From: "Kate" <Kate@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Your own apartment or dorm apartment (you said you're a med student) ?
Wireless network ?
What AV and have you scanned your entire PC ?
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:00 PM
Kat wrote:
My own apartment.I have a wireless router that until today, was unsecure.
My own apartment.
I have a wireless router that until today, was unsecure. Bad I
know............
As for AV, I have MacAfee and the free AVG
And yes I've scanned the entire PC so far as I can tell...I made it so that
hidden files are visible, and I did a search of my entire hard drive for
certain file names that I knew were stored in the folder. It bounced back
SOME results, but they couldn't be opened because they were stored in the
"missing" folder, and the path was invalid.
"David H. Lipman" wrote:
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:10 PM
Shenan Stanley wrote:
Re: AFTER UPDATING, FILES ARE MISSING FROM MY DESKTOP
<snipped>
Entire conversation:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/browse_frm/thread/47948cd81fd49e10/bd397f4ab7480a8d#bd397f4ab7480a8d
Kate wrote:
<snip>
Assuming I am "the author above"...?
Means the shortcuts that point to the old files are still there - nothing
more. Shortcuts are worthless to you.
What about the Documents and Settings folder check I asked you to do?
What about the freeware and trial versions of the undelete products I
pointed you towards?
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:13 PM
David H. Lipman wrote:
Re: AFTER UPDATING, FILES ARE MISSING FROM MY DESKTOP
From: "Kate" <Kate@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Only ONE fully installed anti virus software should be installed performing On Access
scanning.
Choose, McAfee or AVG -- not both.
Personnally, I would choose Free AntiVir over either of them UNLESS you are using the McAfee
Corporate/Enterprise version.
Anti virus scanners will scan all files whether they are visible to you in Explorer or not.
Besides using AV software and securing your Wireless capabilities, the PC should be locked
down using strong passwords.
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:24 PM
David H. Lipman wrote:
Re: AFTER UPDATING, FILES ARE MISSING FROM MY DESKTOP
From: "Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@xxxxxxxxx>
I think this was case of remote malicious activity and thus the deleted data would NOT show
up in the Recycle Bin.
--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
On Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:46 PM
TaurAria wrote:
Hi Kate, as this appears to relate to a security issue rather than Windows
Hi Kate, as this appears to relate to a security issue rather than Windows
Update issue, suggest you heed David's advice regarding securing your
wireless router etc.
K
"David H. Lipman" wrote:
On Monday, February 11, 2008 2:08 AM
SG wrote:
Kate,See if this is available to you with your windows version.
Kate,
See if this is available to you with your windows version. Open Explorer and
navigate down to.....
C:\Users\YourName\Desktop
Right click on the Desktop folder then select properties.
Select the Previous Versions tab.
You should see some folders appear with different dates.
Do you see the School folder?
If so, select the Restore button.
--
All the best,
SG
"Kate" <Kate@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2DAB972F-E627-4A19-AF56-A8C09821DF1D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Monday, February 11, 2008 9:34 AM
Kat wrote:
1. I don't think I have a Documents and Settings folder - I have Vista?
1. I don't think I have a Documents and Settings folder - I have Vista? I
have a Documents folder, but there are no folders with my user name on them.
2. I tried Recuva - didn't find anything.
The other program seemed to be for Defragging.....do I need to do that?
"Shenan Stanley" wrote:
On Monday, February 11, 2008 10:48 AM
Shenan Stanley wrote:
Re: AFTER UPDATING, FILES ARE MISSING FROM MY DESKTOP
Kate wrote:
I never saw the mention of the OS - I may have missed it - although after
you posted:
C:\Users\Kate\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows and \Office
I should have guessed. hah
Look in C:\Users\ then.. Not documents and settings.
UnDelete - for Defragging? I think you looked at their other product
(DisKeeper) and not UnDelete.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
On Monday, February 11, 2008 4:43 PM
MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
Suggest you do NOT save files to the Desktop in Vista until SP1 is installed.
Suggest you do NOT save files to the Desktop in Vista until SP1 is
installed.
There are *issues* saving files to the Desktop and for now, it's best to
save them to the Users personal folders.
Here's one such issue:
An item that you copy to a Windows Vista desktop does not appear on the
desktop even though it appears in the Desktop folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943805
Same with downloads. Just let Vista put them where it wants to.
After all, 'it' knows better than you, right ? Who cares where you want
the file. Obey Vista and it will run just fine.
Defy it and it requires Activation combined with supplication.
[ that's all just a joke ... I think <w> ]
MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============
Shenan Stanley wrote:
On Monday, February 11, 2008 5:49 PM
realcestmoi wrote:
Hi there,Backup important files to a CD / DVD or external hard drive, before
Hi there,
Backup important files to a CD / DVD or external hard drive, before making
any changes to a system is my advice.
Best regards,
Michel Denie
EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
Observations on Professional Development Process
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials/aspnet/08ca858f-61ad-4f20-be19-89aeb2c59b86/observations-on--professi.aspx
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