Files/Folders Missing from Desktop in Windows 11/10 [Quick Restoration Guide]

User Case: Folders Missing from Desktop

"My issue seems to be unique, so I'm starting a new thread. Windows 10 users have had it since the main release date (I bought the computer with 8.0, so I welcomed the upgrade!)"

I'm missing a couple of files that I saved on my Desktop. One is an .xls file (fusion.xls) where I've been adding data every three weeks for the past two years, and the other is an .ods file (coffee fund.ods) that I created to replace one I lost earlier this year.

"I have already checked the Recycling Bin but couldn't find anything. Could you please guide me on how to restore folders that have suddenly vanished from my Desktop in Windows 11? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help in advance." - A user query from answers.microsoft.com

The Windows Desktop is an unassuming home screen that provides access to all files on the PC and serves as a storage space for photos, videos, documents, and shortcuts for easy access. However, it's not uncommon for desktop files to be lost or vanish following a Windows update, a system crash, or inadvertently by human deletion.

If you're experiencing a similar issue, as described by the user above, in the remainder of this article, we've outlined some excellent solutions for restoring missing folders from the Desktop. Before diving into the fixes, let's first explore why files might disappear from the Desktop to better understand the underlying problem.

Why Have My Files Disappeared from the Desktop in Windows 10/11?

Here, we will explore the reasons behind files disappearing from the Desktop in Windows 10/11. Several plausible explanations can account for missing or vanished files from the Desktop, including:

• The missing desktop folders/files have moved to a different location/folder: Occasionally, major updates to Windows 10 might move desktop folders or files to a different location.

• The folders that vanished from the Desktop were not visible: In Windows 10, hidden files facilitate the storage of user preferences. However, users can also manually hide files and folders. To resolve this issue, make hidden files visible using File Explorer.

• The desktop icons are hidden: Windows might occasionally conceal icons on the Desktop, including software, shortcuts, files, and folders. To resolve this issue, make hidden desktop icons visible in Windows using the Windows Search feature.

• Accidentally or unknowingly deleting the missing desktop folder or file: Accidents can happen to anyone, and unintentional file deletion occurs more frequently than one might think. But fear not, there is a solution – restore vanished files/folders using a data recovery program.

How to Restore Missing Folders from the Desktop in Windows 10/11

Regardless of the reason behind the disappearance of desktop folders, you can effectively restore them by following the solutions outlined below. Don't worry; we've provided detailed steps for your convenience: 1. **Restart Your Computer** Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary issues that cause missing folders. 2. **Show Hidden Files and Folders** - Press `Windows Key + E` to open File Explorer. - Click on the "View" tab in the top menu. - Check the box next to "Hidden items" to display hidden files and folders. - Look for your missing folders on the desktop. 3. **Restore from the Recycling Bin** - Open the Recycling Bin on your desktop. - Check if your missing folders are inside. If so, right-click and select "Restore." 4. **Run System File Checker (SFC)** - Press `Windows Key + X` and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin)." - Type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter. - Wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer. 5. **Check User Profile** - Press `Windows Key + R` to open the Run dialog. - Type `control userprofiles` and press Enter. - Click on "Change settings" for your user account. - Ensure that the "User files" location points to the correct folder. 6. **Create a New Desktop Shortcut** - Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select "New" > "Shortcut." - Type `%userprofile%\Desktop` in the "Type the location of the item" field. - Click "Next," give the shortcut a name, and click "Finish." 7. **Use File History (if enabled)** - Press `Windows Key + S`, type "File History," and open the app. - Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your missing folders from a previous backup. 8. **Third-Party Data Recovery Tools** If none of the above work, consider using a reliable data recovery tool like Recuva or tools Data Recovery Wizard to scan and recover your lost folders. Remember to always back up important files regularly to prevent future data loss.

Method 1: Recover Missing Files Using Search

Windows Search enables you to scan your computer for specific files and folders. This feature can be particularly useful when files have gone missing from the Desktop on Windows 10, as they might have been intentionally or unintentionally moved to another location.

Follow these steps to perform a Windows Search: 1. Click on the Start button, usually located at the bottom left corner of your screen. 2. In the search bar that appears next to the Start button, type the keyword or phrase related to what you want to search for. This can include file names, application names, settings, or any information you're looking for. 3. As you type, Windows will display relevant results in real-time under the search bar. These results may include files, folders, apps, and other content from your computer. 4. To refine your search, you can use specific filters or modifiers. For example, typing "kind:pdf" will show only PDF files, "date modified:today" for items changed today, or "location:C:\foldername" to search within a specific folder. 5. If you need more advanced search options, click on the "Search Tools" or "Filter" button (depending on your Windows version) above the search results. Here, you can choose additional criteria like date range, file type, size, and more. 6. Once you find the desired item, click on it to open or access it. That's it! Windows Search is an efficient way to quickly locate items on your computer.

Step 1. Click the Windows icon located in the bottom-left corner of the Desktop. Alternatively, press the Windows key on your keyboard.

Step 2. Start typing the name of the file or folder you're searching for. Windows will narrow down the search results as you type. Enter the name of the missing desktop file into the search bar.

Step 3. Browse the search results to look for the missing desktop files.

Step 4. Click on a document to open it directly. Alternatively, right-click and select "Open file location" if you need to expand the containing folder.

Method 2: Recover Missing Files or Folders with File Recovery Software

You can utilize a specialized file recovery software, such as the Data Recovery Wizard, to restore files or folders that have been permanently deleted from the Desktop on Windows 10 or 11.

This powerful data recovery software offers diverse and intelligent data-restoring solutions across various devices.

• Recover data lost due to deletion, formatting, partition loss, unbootable or crashed systems, or virus attacks
• Recover deleted files from Recycle Bin, HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, SD card, and external hard drives
• Restore lost data on Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP and Windows Server 2019 - 2003
• Retrieve deleted files from Mac running macOS 13 ~ 10.9

Follow these three simple steps to recover your missing files or folders:

Method 3: Restore Disappeared Files from Desktop Using a Backup

Backup and Restore is the foundational backup component in Windows Vista, Windows 7, and so on. It enables users to create backups of files and folders, as well as system image backups, which aid in recovering from corruption, hard disk drive failures, or malware infections.

< strong >Here's how to set up Windows backup:

Step 1. Press the Windows key on the keyboard and type Control Panel.

Step 2. Click on "Control Panel" to open it on your computer.

Step 3. Look under System and Security and click "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".

Step 4. Click "Set up backup." Start backing up the Desktop and other files.

Step 5. Choose the drive where you want to save the backup. Click "Next".

(Important: Use a separate drive from your primary hard drive. Crucially, ensure it has sufficient space to store the backup.)

Step 6. Choose a location to back up the desktop folders. You can also let Windows decide. Click "Next" and select which files and folders to back up.

Step 7. Review your selection, click "Save" to apply the settings, and then perform a backup. Review the backup preferences.

Once Windows Backup is set up and running, you can restore missing files from the Desktop.

Here are the steps to restore files from backup:

Step 1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type Control panel. Click on Control Panel to open it on your computer. Alternatively, you can directly click "Control Panel" from the Windows menu.

Step 2. Look under "System and Security" and click "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".

Step 4. In the Restore section, locate the button labeled "Restore files." Click on it to initiate the restoration process. Select the missing desktop folder from the list and restore it to your PC.

Step 5. Choose the desktop folders and files you wish to recover. Utilize the "Search," "Browse for files," and "Browse for folder" options for assistance. Click "Next."

Step 6. Select a new location for the recovered files. Click "Restore". Choose where to save the restored desktop documents.

注意:这些都是由Windows 10执行的操作/步骤。然而，你可以在Windows 11中找到类似的选项，只是会有一些不同。

Frequently Asked Questions about "Folder Disappeared from Desktop" in Windows 11

Let's explore your possible inquiries, and if you couldn't locate your specific question, please share it with us in the comment section. We'll address it in our upcoming post.

Why did my files suddenly disappear from the Desktop? Your files might have disappeared from the Desktop due to several reasons. Here are some possible explanations: 1. **Hidden Files**: By accident, you might have enabled the "Hide icons" feature or set the files as hidden. To check this, go to your Desktop and click on "View" in the top menu bar (if using Windows) or right-click and choose "Show hidden files and folders" (if using macOS). 2. **Wrong Screen Saver or Sleep Mode**: If your computer entered sleep mode or activated a screen saver, the Desktop icons might not be visible until you move the mouse or press a key. 3. **Software Glitch**: Sometimes, a temporary software glitch or a recently installed application could cause this issue. Try restarting your computer to resolve it. 4. **Malware or Virus**: Malicious software can sometimes hide or delete files. Run a full system scan with an updated antivirus program to ensure your system is clean. 5. **File Moved or Deleted**: Accidentally moving or deleting files can result in their disappearance. Check your Recycle Bin or Trash folder to see if they ended up there. 6. **System Update or Restoration Point**: A recent system update or restoring your computer to a previous point could have removed the files. Check your system settings for any updates or changes. 7. **User Account Issues**: If you're using a multi-user system, files might be associated with a different user account. Log in with the correct account to access them. 8. **Corrupted Desktop Settings**: There might be a problem with the Desktop configuration. You can try resetting the Desktop settings by creating a new user account and seeing if the issue persists. 9. **Storage Full**: If your hard drive is out of space, files may not show up on the Desktop. Free up some space by deleting unnecessary files or moving them to an external storage device. 10. **File Recovery Tools**: If none of the above solutions work, consider using file recovery software to attempt to retrieve your missing files. Remember to regularly back up your important data to prevent loss in case of unexpected issues.

Recently, many people have been asking the same question: why did the files suddenly disappear from the Desktop?

The most common reason for this is that you enable the "Show hidden files" option in Windows and then inadvertently toggle it off without noticing. To resolve this issue, simply return to that setting and click "Show hidden files" once more. Alternatively, you might have accidentally deleted the files or folders. To address this, you can utilize a file recovery tool to restore any lost files or directories.

How do you recover missing Desktop files in Windows 11?

Occasionally, files or folders may unexpectedly vanish from the Desktop. There are various reasons behind this occurrence. Here's how to restore files from the Recycle Bin:

Step 1. Open the Recycle Bin on your Desktop. Translation: Step 1. Open the Recycling Bin icon on your computer desktop.

Step 2: Select the files or folders that need to be restored and right-click on them.

Step 3: Select the "Restore" option from the menu that appears.

How to retrieve missing files from the Desktop after updating to Windows 11?

Windows is a powerful operating system, but it can be frustrating at times. One prevalent issue that users of Windows 10 often face is the disappearance of desktop files and folders following an upgrade.

Following a Windows 10 or Windows 11 update, certain files or folders might have shifted to a different location on your computer. Initially, you can conduct a search within each folder on your system to locate these missing files. Keep searching until you find them. If the folders that vanished from your Desktop are permanently gone, you can utilize data recovery software tools to effortlessly retrieve them.

结论

Frequently, users prefer to place their significant files and folders on their Windows and Mac Desktops for easy access whenever required. However, they might not be aware that this practice can heighten the risk of data loss due to unintentional deletion, unexpected power outages, or system crashes. Files and folders might vanish from the Desktop unexpectedly, owing to various unforeseen reasons. Consequently, there is a need to recover missing files and folders from the desktop.

This article offers several methods to recover missing folders from the Desktop on Windows. Any of the recovery solutions outlined above can be applied to restore lost files or folders. We have tested all possible approaches, and the one with the highest success rate is utilizing an excellent data recovery tool – tools Data Recovery Wizard. Keep in mind that the sooner you begin the recovery process, the higher the chances of successful data recovery.