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Missing files which partially seem to have transferred across when setting up new laptop

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HokkaHokka

PCHF Member
May 24, 2022
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#1
Hello,
We have set up a new Windows 10 laptop but I was surprised that when setting it up some files seem to have transferred from another laptop (Win 11) to this one.
Some of which started to appear on the desk top of the new laptop.
Initially I moved these to the recycling bin as I assumed they would be on our other laptop but now my daughter is unable to access her schoolwork files and I cannot find them on either (or indeed all 3 of the laptops we use)
We can get the folder an sub folders up but there is nothing in them.
I'm not very techie but I think it maybe something to do with One Drive.
Can anyone please give advice on how I get get these files back?

Thanks
HH
 
#2
definitely OneDrive.
when you initially set it up, it automatically includes the Desktop and Documents folders.
right click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, select Settings, go to the Account tab, click the Choose Folders button, untick Desktop from the list.

as to the ones deleted, on the PC you deleted them from, the files should be in that PC's Recycle Bin.
 
#3
Bruce said:
definitely OneDrive.
when you initially set it up, it automatically includes the Desktop and Documents folders.
right click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, select Settings, go to the Account tab, click the Choose Folders button, untick Desktop from the list.

as to the ones deleted, on the PC you deleted them from, the files should be in that PC's Recycle Bin.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply. The files that I deleted were in the recycle bin but the folders were empty when I click to open them so the files within are all missing.
 
#9
PeterOz said:

Sign in to OneDrive​

  1. Go to onedrive.com, and select Sign in at the top of the page.
  2. Enter your Microsoft account (Xbox, Skype, Outlook.com email address) and select Next.
  3. Type your password and select Sign In.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'm not at home right now but was signed into One Drive on all three of my laptop's last night when trying to locate the files. Is there any way of restoring an earlier state of One Drive perhaps?
 
#12
OneDrive has Version History.
in OneDrive, from a web browser, select the file you want, hover over the file you want, click the vertical dot dot dot, click Version History and pick the latest version to restore.
only issue here is you need to have the file in the list to be able to restore a previous version.

OneDrive also has a Recycle Bin itself.
log onto your OneDrive in a web browser, down the left hand column you should see Recycle Bin, see if your files are there, if so, select the ones you want (or select all by clicking the column header) and hit Restore.
 
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#13
Bruce said:
OneDrive has Version History.
in OneDrive, from a web browser, select the file you want, hover over the file you want, click the vertical dot dot dot, click Version History and pick the latest version to restore.
only issue here is you need to have the file in the list to be able to restore a previous version.

OneDrive also has a Recycle Bin itself.
log onto your OneDrive in a web browser, down the left hand column you should see Recycle Bin, see if your files are there, if so, select the ones you want (or select all by clicking the column header) and hit Restore.
Click to expand...
Funnily enough I managed to get the files back by doing this before reading your suggestion! I went into One Drive via Office.com and then to the recycle bin, found the files and restored them (before backing them up on a USB stick just in case!)
Thanks so much to everyone that helped me. I'm really relieved to have the files back. HH
 
#14
You need to have a backup sorted out. At minimum for schoolwork.
The easy to do it is to have a usb stick plugged in.
Set a shutdown button on the school work laptop linked to Microsoft synctoy
Click on shutdown and it will sync updated files to the usb every time you shutdown
 
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#15
good to hear.
people think OneDrive and all cloud storage services are self-redundant, that is, not requiring backing up.
in this case, you were lucky, but if it took you a few days to notice the missing files, and in the meantime, if OneDrive's recycle bin was emptied, you'd be feeling differently right now!

it's in my signature below - you live and die by your backups.
 
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#17
a cautionary tale regarding SyncToy...

I've always used ViceVersa, can't remember why, and it's a paid for software, but I stumbled upon it many years ago and it has served me very well.
saved my bacon on many times. trust it like a bungee cord.

but when suggesting backup software to others, I don't expect them to a) use ViceVersa, or b) even pay for backup software.
plenty around that do a good job, for free.

BUT.... I trialed SyncToy maybe 7-10 years ago for someone.
set it up, ran it, sync'ing from an internal drive to an external one.
look at the destination files that were copied and somehow (the way the Source and Target lists were side by side or something) noticed one file that wasn't copied over.
can't remember what file, do recall it wasn't sexy like an .EXE or that it would have been in use by the system.
seem to remember it was a user file, like .DOC or .JPG, that sort of thing.

haven't touched SyncToy since.
if you can't have 100% faith in your backup program and process, ditch it and look for alternatives.

but as I say, that was just me and my experience. take it with a grain of salt. (y)
 
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