Accidently Deleted Desktop Folder: Windows 8.1

askingquestions

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I accidently deleted the desktop folder that holds most things like documents, downloads, google drive, dropbox, etc. I checked the recycle bin but it's now there. I searched on C drive and, of course, it's not there. I found it or something similar in File Explorer (but with a new name I believe). I copied the entire folder to the desktop. Now, when I add something to dropbox (one of the folders in the folder I deleted) the document is in dropbox on their website, but not in dropbox in the folder on the desktop that I just copied to. So....


QUESTION: How do I locate the folder I accidently deleted that originally contained many important files (e.g., AppData, contacts, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Dropbox, favorites.... music, pictures) etc.?

I was in the process of "sending to" the information from the original desktop folder to Dropbox as a backup - when the computer hiccupped or whatever and instead of clicking send to, clicked delete. The folder disappeared and is NOT in the Recycle Bin. Except for the one I found in the File Folder with a different name, I can't find what I deleted. Help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
One thing you need to do is turn on delete confirmation so you can't accidentally delete things. Right click on the Recycle Bin and select Properties. Check Display delete confirmation dialog.

The other thing you need to do is start doing Image Backups so if something like this happens it's easy to recover.

Lastly, give Recuva a try. See what it finds of your deleted files/folders.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 700-074
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4430 @ 3.00 GHz
    Motherboard
    MS-7826 (Kaili)
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 740
    Sound Card
    Integrated IDT 92HD68E2 Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S27C230B
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    240 GB Kingston SSDNow V300 Series
    PSU
    stock
    Case
    stock
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Browser
    Fire Fox
    Antivirus
    Eset Smart Security 7
From your description of its contents--

"AppData, contacts, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Dropbox, favorites.... music, pictures, etc"

--it sounds like what you deleted was your USER folder. Its name is not "Desktop" but your username.

Look in the Recycle Bin for a folder with your username. I hope you find it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 23-D030
WINUSER - I followed the link and tried the first recommendation given to that person: "Go to C:\Users\<username>....." and found a file that appears to be the right one. The only problem, it was not named the same as I had on the desktop, but rather, my email address. I can live with that, but then, when it provided instructions on how to copy it to the desktop, it said, "right-click - > properties -> Location method."
1. What???? I right-clicked. No problem, but when I went to properties - the method didn't seem to follow. What am I doing wrong? Can you understand and provide a step-by-step?
2. Is the email identified folder the same as the one from the desktop, but simply named differently? How can I tell - remember, I "deleted" the original one on the desktop.
3. Finally, using File History, I was able to locate the original folder - at least one with the same name as that deleted, but it's inside the backup HD, but not a listed folder using the File History. If it was, I'd simply click on it then restore. When I right-click on the folder I found in File History and choose restore and/or restore to... I simply get a folder on my computer HD with AppData, or some other piece (not the entire) folder.

Help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
Is it in C:\Users\{username}\Links?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
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