How to access downloads folder from old HDD of a dead pc.

[Mark_jason]

My old Optiplex GX620 died (blinking amber orange light), checed PSU, works fine, if anyone knows what might be wring, will be benefitcal.
Anyway, I took the HDD out, made it as external HDD, but can't find my downloads folder, is there anyway I can access it?

 

[N3rdR4ge]

the path should be

C:\Users\[Your account name here]\Downloads

The C:\ will vary since you are using it as an external. Might be H:\ or whatever. I'm sure you get the point.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, Mark.

Are you able to access the drive without any issues? I mean is the location of the download folder your concern or you're having trouble opening the drive? Basically the download folder is located in your User Folder, under your account e.g.: C:\Users\Accountname\Downloads and you also have a public one - C:\Users\Public\Downloads.

edit: Looks like I was beaten to the answer while I was typing.
@N3rdR4ge, good clarification about the different letter since it's externally connected!

Let me know if that helps.
Boogieman_WD

 

[Mark_jason]

Thanks guys.

But I checked all profile folders and can't see the desktop stuff and downloads folder, all I can see is the windows folders, files and programs were installed on the dead pc.

 

[N3rdR4ge]

thanks boogieman.

may have an issue with the drive. you can try to get your data back with a third party program.

I like Piriform Recuva
https://www.piriform.com/recuva/download

just pick the drive with the wizard, select the type of files you are looking for and enable deep scan.

 

[Solandri]

Optiplex GX620 is a Windows XP-era computer. In Windows XP, your user directory is under:

C:\Documents and Settings\[User_name]

If it's not there, by chance did you have file or folder encryption turned on? If you did, unless you saved the backup key to external media, the files are unretrievable unless you can get the original computer to boot off the drive again.

Edit: Also, IIRC, XP didn't have a default Downloads folder. If you had one, you must have made it yourself, and it'll be wherever you made it (probably the desktop).

 

[Mark_jason]

Thanks so much boogieman N3rdR4ge.

Will try that now.

 

[N3rdR4ge]

good call Solandri.

check that too before the Recuva program Mark_jason.

 

[Mark_jason]

It was running windows 7.
Ok how to check if the encryption is on?

 

[N3rdR4ge]

what encryption are you referring to?

 

[Mark_jason]

file or folder encryption
As Solandri said.

 

[N3rdR4ge]

i doubt that is the case. try recuva.

 

[Solandri]

If it's Win 7, encryption is unlikely to be the issue. Encryption was available on all versions of XP, but only in the Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise versions of Win 7. You had to explicitly enable it (right-click file/folder -> properties -> advanced -> checkbox next to encryption). So if you don't remember doing it, it was probably off.

Have you tried showing all hidden and system files? In Win 7 File Explorer, tools -> folder options -> view
Select show hidden files, folders, and drives.
Uncheck Hide protected operation system files
(Since the drive is from another computer, I'm guessing maybe your current Windows box is interpreting the folders as system folders.)

You can change these settings back after you're done.

 

[Mark_jason]

N3rdR4ge: it is searching now 😀.

Solandri: checked: show hidden files and unchecked: hide protected operation system files, now I can see documents and settings, but: access is denied.
Still searching: how to enable access.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Try this out: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753659%28v=ws.11%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396
You need to take ownership of the folder (or drive, or file) in order to be able to access it. This is pretty common for the User Folder when you have connected a drive with an OS from a different computer.

 

[N3rdR4ge]

thats worth a shot too. but, you should see the Download folder even if you don't have the proper permissions. especially if you see the other folders like documents, pictures, videos.

either way, recuva will find it too with or without permissions, so keep it running while you try other things.

 

[Mark_jason]

Well with the permission I get the error:
Failed to enumerate objects in the container. Access is denied
When I want to apply the permissions.

 

[Mark_jason]

Tried this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn-dgqoeh9I

And got the same error.

 

[N3rdR4ge]

when it asks you to type object name, type your current machines user name, as it appears on your user folder and press check names.

your user name is C:\Users\[THIS NAME NO BRACKETS]

 

[Mark_jason]

That's what I did.

 

[N3rdR4ge]

you can also try this:

run command prompt as administrator

Type:

takeown /f <foldername> /r /d y

Example:

replace "<foldername>" with destination. like H:\Users

or

takeown /f H:\Users /r /d y

H:\ = the assumed drive letter assigned to your old drive



Recuva may be preventing ownership, so try again after it's finished scanning.

 

[Mark_jason]

That's wat I'm thinking.
Because with the CMD, it got successful first and then: syntax is incorrect.