Question Lost/missing folder on desktop

[streetgum]

I had a folder on my desktop that i kept important apps, documents and files in after decluttering that seems to have randomly disappeared. My first thought is that I may have deleted it by accident or moved it to a different drive while mass selecting pictures, but it doesn't make sense. I say this because I run a live wallpaper app that's always running and the mp4 file it uses was located in that folder on my desktop.

When i went to turn off my pc for the night the wallpaper was still running, so that means that file was still on the C :drive and hadn't been moved or deleted. Also there were files still in my recycle bin, so I know I didn't delete anything. Still the next morning the folder was gone.

I've ran 3 different types of recovery software, couldn't find any files. I've used the search bar in windows explorer to search all my drives and can't find anything. It's not hidden or invisible, there was no update and it wasn't removed to quarantine. I've tried everything and don't where else to look.

I'm open for suggestions because I have no idea where it could have gone or how to recover it. I spent years procuring everything in that folder and there are also some important documents in there as well.

i appreciate any help.

 

[Aeacus]

I'm open for suggestions because I have no idea where it could have gone or how to recover it.

At this point, look towards data recovery firm. Since the more you're using your (OS) drive, the harder (and costly) it would be to recover it.

When i went to turn off my pc for the night the wallpaper was still running, so that means that file was still on the C :drive and hadn't been moved or deleted.

Active files are loaded into RAM, and while the source file itself may be gone, the file works as long as PC is on. Powering off PC clears the RAM and wipes the contents.
Though, might want to look under Windows temp folder, since it may be there.

Also there were files still in my recycle bin, so I know I didn't delete anything.

There is a command: Shift + Delete, which will delete stuff outright, without going into Recycle bin beforehand.
And there is even Windows option not to use Recycle bin at all, so, even plain Delete will delete stuff outright.

I spent years procuring everything in that folder and there are also some important documents in there as well.

Reason not to back up that important data was?

On the other hand, you can look at it as life's tax. (Some call it stupid tax.)