Fix Files Missing After Restarting Computer and Recover Lost Data (2024)

User Queries: My Computer Reset Itself and I Lost Everything

"Recently, my laptop is running slower and slower; then I restarted it for a fix. To my surprise, all of my files, documents, pics, etc. everything is gone after the restart. Is there any way to restore the missing files?"

"My laptop reset itself and my desktop files missing after restart. It even reset the home screen image that I had!"

Files missing after restarting the computer have frustrated numerous users running different Windows systems, including Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, or the new Windows 11.

Why Did My Computer Delete Everything

The reasons for the computer restarted and deleted everything are various, like human error, virus attack, software conflict, corrupted system files, power failure, and more. When being caught in such a problem, you may be eager to know how to retrieve missing files after reboot. Here we'll show you useful solutions to restore desktop files deleted after restart Windows 10by using System Restore or professional EaseUS Data Recovery Wizardsoftware.

1. Perform System Restore to Recover Missing Files After Reboot

You can undo system change by reverting your computer to a previous restore point. And it also works to recover lost files after a restart.

Step 1. In the Windows 10 Search box, search for "System Restore".

Step 2. In the System Properties dialog box, click the "System Protection" tab and then click the "System Restore…".

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions and select the desired Restore Point when prompted. Then click"Next"to execute the operation.

CAUTION:

  • This method is available only when you have enabled System Restore before.
  • It will also erase your data, which is written after the time when Restore Point was created. Therefore, if you regret doing the restore, you can undo the System Restore without losing any data.

Fix Files Missing After Restarting Computer and Recover Lost Data (1)

2. Use Data Recovery Software to Restore Missing Files After Restart

If you do not enable system restore and need to retrieve missing files or experience data loss during system restore, don't fret. Youcan download and try EaseUS Data Recovery Wizardto retrieve files lost after restart.

This competent file recovery program enables you to recover lost data in different situations. For example, restoredesktop icons and files disappeared in Windows 10, retrieve documents/files missing after Windows 10 update, recover files infected by shortcut virus, and more.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

  • Restorefiles from RAW drives, lost partitions, and formatted hard drives effectively.
  • Repair corrupted files, includingdamaged videos, photos, and documents.
  • Recover data for 1000 types of files like .png, .jpg, .doc, .mp4, .mkv, .exe. pdf, and more.

Download for Win Recovery Rate 99.7%

Download for Mac Trustpilot Rating 4.7

Now, you can download the EaseUS data recovery tool on your PC and recover desktop files deleted after the restart.

Step 1. Run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on your computer. Choose the drive where you lost files and click "Scan". If your lost files were on an external storage device, connect it to your computer firstly.

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Step 2. The software will quickly scan the deleted files immediately, and then automatically perform a deep scan to find more lost files. After the scan is completed, you can use "Filter" to quickly filter specific file types.

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Step 3. Click the "Preview" button ordouble-click on a file for a full preview. Finally, select the desired files, click "Recover" and chooseanother safelocation to save all the files at once.

Fix Files Missing After Restarting Computer and Recover Lost Data (4)

How to FixMy Computer Deleted Everything After Restart

There are effective methodsto fix my computer restarted and everything is gone problem on Windows 10.We can't guarantee that these measures will work 100%, but they are worth trying.

1. Switch to Your User Account

Sometimes, when your computer restarts or crashes, Windows may not be able to log in to your user account. At this point, a temporary configuration file is created and logged in to. As the temporary file is empty, so you will mistakenly think that all your files are missing after the restart.

To solve this problem, you can log out of the temporary profile, switch, and log in to your user account. After a successful login, you can access all your lost files, including those on your desktop.

2. Scan and RemoveViruses and Malware

Some viruses or malware will attack your computer and hide or delete your files, then make your computer restart repeatedly. In this case, you can run a full virus scan by using antivirus software, such asWindows Defender, Avast, Mcafee,Norton, orKaspersky.

3. Check and Repair Your Hard Disk

If there's something wrong with your hard disk, it can cause the system to crash,and the computerrestarts and deletes files. To troubleshoot, you can use the disk detection tool that comes with Windows to diagnose and fix disk problems.

Step 1. Go to "This PC/My Computer", right-click the hard disk or partition that you want to check, and click "Properties".

Step 2. Select the "Tools" tab and click "Check".

Step 3.Once the system finds errors on your disk, let it fix them.

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Bottom Line

When you encounter your laptop or PCrestarts and delete files on your desktop issue, you can use System Restore or EaseUS data recovery software to get the lost data back. The sooner, the better. Also, you can try to fix the computer deletes files problem by logging into your useraccount, removing viruses, and checking the hard disk.

Download for Win Recovery Rate 99.7%

Download for Mac Trustpilot Rating 4.7

What's more, we think it is a wise idea to back up your computer data to an external hard drive regularly by using a Windows schedule backup softwareor the Windows built-in file backup tool.

Fix Files Missing After Restarting Computer and Recover Lost Data (2024)

FAQs

Why do my files disappear when I restart my computer? ›

The reasons for the computer restarted and deleted everything are various, like human error, virus attack, software conflict, corrupted system files, power failure, and more. When being caught in such a problem, you may be eager to know how to retrieve missing files after reboot.

Why does my computer delete files when I restart it? ›

Here we list the most common causes: The feature of Storage Sense is enabled making the error “Windows deleting files automatically” occurs when your computer runs out of disk space. Windows Defender deleted your files when it detects your files to be viruses. Your computer is infected by viruses or malware.

How to recover files after computer restart? ›

Computer Deleted All My Files After Restart, How to Recover
  1. Method 1. Switch user account.
  2. Method 2. Check hard drive for errors.
  3. Method 3. Recover deleted files with System Restore.
  4. Method 4. Restore deleted data from backup.
  5. Method 5. Restore all deleted/lost files with data recovery software.

Why did my files in my desktop disappear? ›

File Corruption or File System Corruption

File corruption occurs due to different reasons, like virus attacks, hardware errors, bad data injection, and so on. When your computer fails to save files because of a sudden power outage or system crash, the unsaved files may also disappear from the storage devices.

How do I restore my computer without losing files? ›

To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started. Then, select Keep my files, choose cloud or local, change your settings, and set Restore preinstalled apps? to No.

Does resetting PC permanently delete files? ›

🖥 How to Factory Reset a PC

You should see a title that says “Reset this PC.” Click Get Started. You can either select Keep My Files or Remove Everything. The former resets your options to default and removes uninstalled apps, like browsers, but keeps your data intact.

How to recover deleted files? ›

Navigate to the folder that used to contain the file or folder, right-click it, and then select Restore previous versions. If the folder was at the top level of a drive, for example C:\, right-click the drive, and then select Restore previous versions.

Is reboot and restart the same? ›

As we mentioned above, rebooting and restarting your computer are virtually the same thing. A restart is the action that initiates the reboot of the operating system. Selecting the restart button on the start menu signals the computer reboot.

Does resetting PC remove folders? ›

By default, resetting PC will only remove files on the drive where Windows is installed and it won't affect the data on any other drives. But if you choose to remove files from all drives, then all the data on the system disk will be removed.

How to recover lost files after Windows 10 reset? ›

Basic steps

Press the Windows key, enter Windows File Recovery in the search box, and then select Windows File Recovery. When you are prompted to allow the app to make changes to your device, select Yes. There are 2 basic modes you can use to recover files: Regular and Extensive.

Why did my files suddenly disappear in Windows 10? ›

Here are the reasons: Windows 10 automatic upgrade or update deleted the file. The virus deleted or hid personal files. You logged in to a new user account.

How to restore data on PC? ›

Restore Previous Versions

Step 1: Press Windows + E to open File Explorer. Step 2: Find the folder that contains the lost file or folder. Step 3: Right-click on it and select Restore previous versions. Step 4: Select a version that contains your wanted files and click the Restore button.

How do I find missing files on my computer? ›

To search for files on Windows

Open File Explorer by clicking the File Explorer icon on your taskbar. In the upper right of the Explorer Window, there is a Search box. The search will look in all the folders and sub folders in the current location. Try searching for the exact name of your lost file.

Why does my laptop automatically delete files when I click? ›

Problem: Files Get Deleted Automatically When Left-Click

Take it easy, you're not alone. It has been reported by many users on Windows 10. Incomplete installation of programs, problematic Windows OS, outdated mouse driver, virus attacks, and false registry change on your system are the main reasons for this to occur.

Why did all my files disappear in Windows 11? ›

There are a few things that could have caused your files to go missing after the Windows 11 update. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take: Check the Recycle Bin: It's possible that the files were accidentally deleted or moved to the Recycle Bin. Check there to see if the files are still available.

How to stop Windows 10 deleting files automatically? ›

Method 1. Stop Windows Defender from Deleting Files Automatically
  1. Open "Windows Defender" > Click on "Virus & threat protection".
  2. Scroll down and click "Virus & threat protection" settings.
  3. Scroll down to "Exclusions" and click "Add or remove exclusions".
Jan 11, 2024

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