How to Find Files Lost After a Windows 10 Update
Authored by:
Support.com Tech Pro Team
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Introduction
Just the thought of losing your files can cause fear. The worry has created industries designed to protect your data.
Many people haven't upgraded to Windows 10 due to this fear.
This guide will walk you through recovering your lost files after you've upgraded to Windows 10.

1 Check for Temporary Profile
- Select Start.
- Select Settings.
- Select Accounts.
- Select Sync Your Settings.
- If you see a message at the top that states, You are logged on with a temporary profile. Roaming options are currently unavailable, you are in a temporary account.
- Restart your PC and sign in again. This should remove the temporary account and your files should be available again.
? Are you in a temporary profile?
Just the thought of losing your files can cause fear. The worry has created industries designed to protect your data.
Many people haven't upgraded to Windows 10 due to this fear.
This guide will walk you through recovering your lost files after you've upgraded to Windows 10.

- Select Start.
- Select Settings.
- Select Accounts.
- Select Sync Your Settings.
- If you see a message at the top that states, You are logged on with a temporary profile. Roaming options are currently unavailable, you are in a temporary account.
- Restart your PC and sign in again. This should remove the temporary account and your files should be available again.
Before you restart or shut down your PC, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.
- Select the Start menu, then select Power.
- Select Restart.
After rebooting, select your account and log into it.
Your account should now be working properly.
- Select the search bar and type in what you want to search for.
- Look for all files of a certain type using the asterisk (*). For example, to search for all Word documents, search for *.doc. For music files, search for *.mp3. For pictures you could search for *.jpg.
- When you find the file you want, right click it and select Open File Location.
- A window will open showing the location of the file and the file will be highlighted.
- Select Start.
- Select Settings.
- Select Update & Security.
- Select Backup.
- Select Backup and restore (Windows 7).
- Select Restore my files and follow the instructions to restore your files.