Lost Documents Library Contents

[Theseeker123]

HI !!

I run a Dell Desktop Optiplex 780 with windows 7 64 bit using Firefox Browser. I accepted Firefox invitation to update to the latest version and have had no end to my troubles since!!

The first thing I noticed was the disappearance of Office and the Documents Icon on the desktop screen. I`ve tried everything I can think of to recover them, but no luck.

Has anybody had experience of a recovery programme that could help please? (without costing a small fortune!!!)

[Hymie]

If you can recall at least one word within a document title that you have lost, you could use the computer search function (searching ‘this PC’ or complete drives).

If the document is found, then its location may be where the other documents can be found.

When you say ‘office’ do you mean Microsoft Office?

[bhg481]

If you click on the Microsoft icon at the bottom left-hand corner of your screen and choose "All programs" you should be able to find eg Word. Right-click and drag to the desktop and choose "Create Shortcut". You can do the same with "Documents".

[Theseeker123]

Hello Hymie and BHG 481,

I`m afraid it`s not so easy as that. There are no document folders or particular words to find. The whole desktop appearance has changed and icons have been moved or disarded for some reason. I`ve tried the normal "restore" method, as well as tried to search for a toll to search the hard drive (`cos they must be there somewhere!) but no luck without taking out a small remortgage!!

[wolf63]

I am not very technically minded but something similar happened to me.

I am the only person who uses this laptop and I am signed in as me. For some reason, I had been logged out and none of my files or documents were there.

I can't remember if I had to log back in or if I just shut the computer down and started it up again.

It worked - like magic!

[bhg481]

What happens when you click on the Microsoft icon at the bottom of your screen?

[Bertrum]

Click on the start button and in the search box type "word"
That should include if its installed "Microsoft Office Word"
Right Click and select "Send To" select "Desktop (create shortcut)

[Theseeker123]

Hello again all,
No,Bartram, there is no Word anything but then I have Open Office on the computer, so I picked that out instead and had it put on the desktop, but clicking on the icon only brought up files I`ve saved or used since 9th August, nothing before that.

bhg481, just the normal start up menu and usual options appear.

[Bertrum]

As you seem to be having problems searching for your files you could try downloading an alternative free search program such as Wise JetSearch
https://www.wisecleaner.com/wise-jetsearch.html
There is a portable version if you don’t wish to install available from here
https://download.cnet.com/Wise-JetSearch-Portable/3000-2248_4-75717143.html
If you cannot find your files they may well be lost and the only slim chance of recovering them is using a file recovery program. I know it’s been said so many times but backups do come in handy

[Theseeker123]

Hi Bertrum,

The first one gave me a message sayin " Unable to execute file Shell Execute filed- Code 5- Access is denied
The second would only attach itself to the "new" documents library which has run since 9th April, and will not go further.

Thanks for all your help though, I guess I`ll have to pay a Pro to figure it out after all!

[jno]

I'm not sure why updating a browser should interfere with things that are on your computer.

It's easy enough to put icons onto the desktop screen. Or have you lost the documents themselves?

[jno]

also, you might want to check your computer out with an antivus and/or malware program to make sure it hasn't been infected.

[Buenchico]

Let's forget about your desktop for the moment.

If you click the Start button, and then on 'Computer', are your libraries ('Documents', etc) shown down the left hand column. If so, are they accessible from there?

Alternatively (from the same starting point) can you get to them by double-clicking the icon for your C drive, followed by 'users' and then on your username for your PC?

[Buenchico]

>>> I'm not sure why updating a browser should interfere with things that are on your computer

It won't. Either it's a coincidence that the desktop problem appeared at around the same time or the dialogue box offering a Firefox update wasn't generated by Firefox at all. (i.e. it was associated with malware). It might be worth downloading and running AdwCleaner. (There's no installation involved. You simply run the downloaded file directly):
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

[Theseeker123]

Hello jno and Buenchico,

I don`t know either why upgrading the browser should affect things but just a coincidence? However, I`ve lost the documents, download list and pics. I`ve tried everything I can think of ( and advised by everyone so far) and nothing seems to work. I`ve had Malwarebytes Premium installed on my computer for the last three years and checked their reports regularly, and apart from PUP being blocked now and again, nothing major appears there.

I`ve just run ADW Cleaner and Malwarebytes again with no result. I`m now going to write to Malwarebytes (they`re usually very helpful) and see if they can suggest anything.

[Buenchico]

Run System Restore:

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.

[Theseeker123]

Hi Buenchico

That`s one of the first things I tried. Restored all (as far as I know to 6th June 2019