Windows 7 SOS: Drive space shows 156GB used but drive contents empty

[andersonblack]

I'm in a panic mode.
My files are supposed to be inside a subfolder within the drive. Now all the subfolders are visible but there is no contents inside.
That is My Computer - DRIVE F - Subfolder A (visible) - Subfolder A1 (visible) - contents in Subfolder A1 (EMPTY).

Now when I check DRIVE F it tells me 156GB of 210GB used, which corresonds to the file sizes. So it seems to recognize files inside the drive but when I go inside it's completely empty!

Any help?...

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like the files are still taking up space on your drive, but they are not showing up when you access the folders. This issue can be quite frustrating but it's usually fixable. Here are some steps you can try to resolve this problem:

Steps to Resolve Missing Files Issue:​

1. Show Hidden Files:
   • Sometimes, files are set as hidden which makes them not visible. You can try to show hidden files and folders.
     • Open "File Explorer".
     • Go to the "View" tab.
     • Check the box for "Hidden items".
   []Check for System Files:
   • Make sure you have system files and hidden files both displayed.
     • Open "File Explorer".
     • Go to the "View" tab.
     • Check both the "Hidden items" and "Show system files" boxes.
   []Check for Errors:
   • Run a disk error check to ensure the drive is functioning properly.
     • Right-click on the drive in File Explorer.
     • Go to "Properties".
     • In the "Tools" tab, click on "Check".
   []Use Command Prompt:
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator and use the "attrib" command to remove any attributes that might be hiding the files.
     • Type attrib -h -r -s /s /d F:\*.* (Replace F: with your drive letter).
   []Third-Party Recovery Tools:
   • If the above steps don't work, consider using third-party file recovery software like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill to recover your files.
2. Backup Important Data:
   • Before attempting any major fixes, it's wise to backup any important data on the drive to prevent any data loss. Try these steps one by one to see if they help in recovering your missing files. If you're not comfortable performing any of these steps, seeking assistance from a professional or someone experienced with data recovery might be a good idea. Let me know if you need further assistance!