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Files on computer disappeared?

I just restarted my computer for an update and when i turned it back on I can't view any of my files. None of the icons appear on my desktop even my recycling bin. I can't access them either. My downloads, documents, pictures etc folders can't be viewed either. I know the files are somewhere though because I can play them in my iTunes and such.

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  • 10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    virus maybe.. or something is not installed correctly on your computer.

  • 10 years ago

    You may have a virus that set the properties of all your document/music and desktop folders to 'hidden' which is why you can't see them - even though they are actually still there. E.g. your (My) Music folder appears to be empty but Itunes can still play the songs which are stored in the (My) Music folder...

    There has been a spate of this type of virus recently called things like XP/Vista Recovery (there are many others).

    To unhide your docs you need to change the 'hidden' attribute of each folder and document - as there could be thousands of them the easiest way is to use a program like 'unhide' by Grinler of BleepingComputer fame which can unhide all your files/folders automatically, see link below.

    If you haven't already, I would FIRST recommend scanning with the free version of Malwarebytes to check for viruses (or your files will just be re-hidden again if the virus is still on your computer).

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