How to retrieve deleted files after windows 10 update

After performing Windows 10 Update, a few users lost their private data as well as important files. This is, in reality, a troublesome approach owing to its riskiness. This is why a handful of users simply don’t go for the Windows Update rather stick to the older OS. Windows 10 never delete any files after upgrade; however, the files that correspond to specific addresses are unable to locate. Here, we deliver some easy workarounds that help you to retrieve deleted files after windows 10 update.

Windows.old folder gets generated only after Windows update and comprises the image copy of all the files. Using this you can access the deleted files up to 10 days. If you have previously created Full Backup, manually search the same and later install them. Specific data search and re-enable administrator account are some other remarkable ways to fix this bug. Let’s learn them in more detail-

How to retrieve deleted files after windows 10 update process

Here, we depict four different methods to retrieve deleted files which vanish after windows 10 update-

Recover Files using Windows. old Folder

Windows. old folder comes into picture only if you have recently updated your system to its latest version. This folder is designed to incorporate backup of all files up to 10 days from where you can recover the missing files. To retrieve the hidden files, you have to follow the below procedure-

Step-1: Jointly press Window key & E hotkey to open File Explorer.

Step-2: Now go to This PC option on the left pane afterward switch to the C:\ drive on the next screen.

Step-3: Here, open Windows.old folder followed by the User subfolder.

Step-4: Next to this, switch to the user account subfolder from where users can get the missing files.

Step-5: Subsequently, select the specific file or whole using (Ctrl + A) then hit Copy to drop-down button.

retrieve deleted files

At last, select choose location.. and decide the path wherein you are going to have them.

Recover Files Using Backup

Creating full backup is always a best practice so as to recover them back in worse scenarios. Windows 10 update is more or less a mandatory thing, hence it is always better to create a System restore point. Let’s see how to recover lost files during update-

  • Press Win & I together to open the Settings app; once found, click on the same.
  • Under the Update & Security category, do the click on Backup at the left column.
  • Switch to the corresponding right pane and choose More options under Backup using the file history section.
  • Succeeding after, select Restore files from a current backup.

retrieve deleted files

  • Furthermore, select the files which you want to back up at the original location then hit Restore.
  • This will take approx 10minutes to 2 hours depending upon the data transfer rate on your PC, so wait accordingly.
  • Once over you can get access of the files, so retrieve them back.

Use Search to look for deleted files

Alternatively, You can also search the Missing files manually and retrieve them by following these steps-

  • Go to System tray and type indexing; select best matched Indexing Options from the list.
  • On the next window, do the click on the Advanced button then Troubleshooting the search and indexing link.

Advanced options- Retrieve files

  • Henceforth, mark Files doesn’t appear in search result checkbox then Next again to proceed ahead.

Search and indexing

  • Lastly, follow on-screen instructions to locate the missing files format and retrieve them once found.

Re-enable Windows 10 administrator accounts

Re-enabling the Administrator account is yet another nice approach to get back the files that are deleted after the Windows upgrade. This task is quite easy as you need to follow these simple steps-

  • Press window key + X together and select Computer Management from the Power menu.
  • Again, expand Local Users and Groups available on the left pane afterward Users folder.
  • Switch to the corresponding right pane and visit to the Administrator section.
  • Under Administrator Properties window, uncheck Account is a disabled checkbox. See Snapshot below-

retrieve deleted files

  • Succeeding this, select Apply then OK button to confirm the changes.
  • At last, log out from Windows 10 Administrator account.
  • From the next login, you will see the files which were removed after Windows Update.
Soni Aryan

Soni Aryan

Soni Kumari is a tech enthusiast known for her expertise in how-to type topics and Windows troubleshooting articles. She loves exploring how to do things or tweaks in Android, iPhone, and other operating systems.