Windows 8 update and files deleted!

HELP - all my files are gone. I'm a student, all my docs, pictures (from wedding also) are not working here's what happened:


1. All my files (pictures and word documents) were located in 2 folders on the Desktop.
2. Windows did un update
3. After the update, I got logged in to an empty Desktop (which later i have learned was a temporary user)
4. I searched for my folder (while on the temp-user) and found them on the C:>Users>[Real-User]>Desktop>[Target-Folders]
5. I copied them to that temp-user desktop
6. Restarted computer, now it logged in to the Real-User
7. Folders were not there
8. Looked everywhere, couldn't find them
9. Searched for information, read about Shadow Explorer, downloaded & used it.
10. Found the folders, exported them to the desktop.
11. The files are now present, but are CORRUPTED! I can't open the images or doc files...
12. Did a system restore to before everything happened, the files are still in the exact same situation...


Some notes:
30% of the JPG files are 90% gray and you can only see the top 10px of the image..
50% won't even open (no preview, when open i get an error - Invalid File)
20% show the preview of the image (when browsing the folder) but can't open them


-tried to change file names/extension
-tried to open with Photoshop. paint. several image-browsers
-doc (word) files also gives an error. tried to open them with Notepad++/Google docs etc nothing worked
- tried several JPG recovery software, nothing worked..


What could be the problem? How can I recover those files? PLEASE HELP

Going forward, please, never again store anything of value (texts, documents, data in general) on any user Desktop. It is best to create data folders and copy, move, create, modify, etc. all data material in such a user-created folder.
Can I assume you made no recent, current, full image backups of your OS and data partition onto external media?
** If you have been "trying everything" -- I recommend stopping; wait for restoration and data recovery specialists to enter in and render advice and help. I'm off to school, I'm not a specialist, I'm going to listen in and learn alongside you.