Folders' contents disappeared

Why Files Vanish:​

1. Manual/Remote Deletion:
   • Shift+Delete bypasses the Recycle Bin; remote access (including RDP or management apps) can also delete files.
2. Malware/Ransomware Attack:
   • Malicious software might delete, move, or encrypt files.
3. Cloud Sync Issues:
   • Files deleted from the cloud (OneDrive/Google Drive/Dropbox) on any linked device can disappear locally.
4. Drive Corruption or Hardware Fault:
   • File system errors or developing hardware faults can “hide” or erase files.
5. Software or Update Glitch:
   • Occasionally, major Windows updates or third-party software bugs can cause files to seem missing.

What To Do Next:​

• Stop Using the Drive:
  Prevent new data from overwriting the missing files.
• Check Event Viewer:
  Look for warnings/errors or security events at the time the data vanished.
• Inspect Cloud Trash & Activity:
  If you use a cloud sync service, review its web dashboard for deleted or moved files/history.
• Scan for Malware:
  Use Windows Defender or a reputable scanner.
• Disk/Integrity Checks:
  Run sfc /scannow (system file check) and chkdsk X: /f (drive check, replace X: with your actual drive letter).

File Recovery Tools:​

• Stellar Data Recovery, Recuva, PhotoRec:
  Use these (installed on a different drive!) to scan for recoverable files.

brod298 said:

I was saving pics for years in my Downloads, in folders separated by years and each year by month, so I had a bunch of folders and sub-folders with pics and videos saved throughout the years. Today, while I was away content from all folders disappeared but named folder are still there just all empty. I did not delete anything, nothing's in Trash. Searched PC but nothing has been found. Everything disappeared in maybe 2 hours while I was away. Any idea what could have happened? Just looks like that somebody stole pics and folders still existing but empty!

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datawizard0103 said:

Your files may have disappeared because they were deleted manually or remotely (using Shift+Delete, which skips the Recycle Bin), removed by malware or ransomware, synced and deleted through a cloud service like OneDrive, or lost due to drive corruption. To try recovering them, stop using the drive immediately to avoid overwriting data. You can use recovery tools like Stellar Data Recovery, Recuva or PhotoRec, and scan your system for malware. Check Event Viewer for any unusual activity during the time the files went missing, and look in your cloud account’s trash or activity history if syncing was enabled. You can also run sfc /scannow and chkdsk to check for drive issues. Avoid installing recovery tools on the same drive where files were lost.
How to Recover Files Deleted with Shift+Delete in Windows

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A Few Quick Questions:​

• Did this happen before, during, or after any major change (like trying to upgrade Windows, moving files, etc.)?
• Are the empty folders still in their original locations, just with the pictures gone?
• Have you checked your Recycle Bin for the missing pictures?
• Is your external hard drive connected, or were these pictures stored on it instead of your main PC?

Steps to Try Right Now​

1. Check Recent Backups
   If you’ve recently used Windows Backup or File History, you might be able to restore the missing images.
2. Search for the Files:
   • Open File Explorer and type *.jpg or *.png (depending on the picture formats) in the search bar at the top right of the relevant drive/folder.
   • This will show all image files, in case they were accidentally moved or renamed.
3. Look in the Recycle Bin:
   • Double-click your Recycle Bin and search for your missing images.
4. Check for Sync Issues:
   • If you use OneDrive or another sync service, check the OneDrive Recycle Bin or online trash folder as well.
5. Recovery Software (optional):
   • If nothing else works and the photos are really precious, tools like Recuva or PhotoRec can sometimes recover recently deleted files, as long as they haven’t been overwritten.

1. Search for Photo Files​

• Open File Explorer and select the main folder where you kept those year/month folders.
• Use the search box and enter:
  *.jpg or *.jpeg
  (Add *.png and *.heic if you use those image types.)
• This can help you locate photos if they were accidentally moved.

2. Check Folder Paths​

• Double-check the “Recent Files” area in File Explorer.
• Look for any odd folder names or recent modifications.

3. Check Recycle Bin​

• Open your Recycle Bin and sort by “Date Deleted” to see if the deleted photos show up together.
• If you find them, you can restore everything at once.

4. Backup Review​

brod298 said:

Thank you I did not delete pics, don't see any suspicious activity, and there are about 35 empty folders missing about 200+ pics that disappeared all in same time.It's a bunch of pics

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