Question Windows 11 file loss

[Wrighty1987]

Hi I am new here but it's because I need to try and fix a file issue with windows 11, I updated to Windows 11 from Windows 10 about 2 months ago (rough guess)
After the update I turned my system off as was late at night and then didn't really boot pc again till today.

When I went to load up some music I couldn't find any music files and so I checked other things such as pictures and documents and there was nothing there, now I know people will ask when I updated did I click clean install but I defo clicked keep all files etc and did not do a clean wipe.

All of Mt games are all still installed with all Game save files available I also have dated files in my downloads folder from like a year ago so I know I defo didn't do a c drive clean or chose clean install so now I have come to the conclusion they have got to be hidden somewhere but there is no folder in c called windows.old either in desperate need of help.

Also to add on to this problem I have gone to back up previous version or files whatever its called and it days there is no backup is available.

 

[Wrighty1987]

How reliable are data recovery software tools?

 

[Lafong]

How reliable are data recovery software tools?

You won't know until you try.

DON'T write anything else to the drive unless you want to lower the chance of data recovery.

Possible choices:

GetDataBack

https://www.runtime.org/data-recovery-software.htm



Active File Recovery


https://www.file-recovery.com/recovery.html


If they work, they will probably allow you to view the recoverable files.

BUT, you will probably have to pay to copy them somewhere.

Or you can pay a professional data recovery service, which could cost thousands.

 

[USAFRet]

How reliable are data recovery software tools?

Is the drive in question a solid state drive, of any type?

 

[DSzymborski]

How reliable are data recovery software tools?

That's a bit like asking "how reliable is a hammer?" Like most tools, the usefulness of a data recovery tool is a function of the competence of the user and the difficulty of the problem.

You will need another drive to be running your PC on to recover files to. And if you're currently operating using an OS installed on the drive with the data you wish to recover, the probability of restoring anything declines every second it's in use. Every moment, new data is being written on sectors that Windows believes to be "open for business," and many of these sectors will contain your files.

 

[Wrighty1987]

You won't know until you try.

DON'T write anything else to the drive unless you want to lower the chance of data recovery.

Possible choices:

GetDataBack

https://www.runtime.org/data-recovery-software.htm



Active File Recovery


https://www.file-recovery.com/recovery.html


If they work, they will probably allow you to view the recoverable files.

BUT, you will probably have to pay to copy them somewhere.

Or you can pay a professional data recovery service, which could cost thousands.

Will have a look at them I was advised 4ddig but that didn't find anything

Is the drive in question a solid state drive, of any type?

No its a HDD

 

[DSzymborski]

Will have a look at them I was advised 4ddig but that didn't find anything


No its a HDD

And are you still using this drive?

 

[Wrighty1987]

It's still in use yes

 

[alceryes]

If the data is important enough to spend $800+ in recovery I can recommend a good drive recovery service. You will have to send your drive to them. PM me if interested.
As others have said, turn off the computer NOW and unplug that data drive until you decide what you want to do. Continuing to use the drive makes the chance of a successful recovery decrease, continually.