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8 April 2024  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
 

Summary
Discover how to retrieve a missing folder in Windows 10 with our intuitive solutions. Uncover the underlying causes of the issue and resolve it immediately.



Table of contents

table iconI. Reasons why Windows 10 folders disappear
table iconII. How to restore folders disappeared in Windows 10?
Recover The Folder Which is Disappeared on Windows 10

I. Reasons why Windows 10 folders disappear

Windows 10 folders may disappear for various reasons. Identifying the cause is the first step to resolving the issue.
● If a virus or malware attacks your hard disk, it may obstruct file visibility. To address this, format the hard disk or use antivirus software to scan it. Should issues persist post-virus removal, employ professional data recovery software to retrieve the files.
● Files are hidden: Some incorrect operations may cause folders to be hidden.
● File system errors on a Windows 10 internal disk can lead to the disappearance of folders. To resolve this issue, you may utilize the chkdsk command or opt to format the hard disk. However, it’s crucial to understand that formatting will erase all data present on the disk. Therefore, it is recommended to use professional data recovery software to scan for and potentially recover lost folders before attempting any repair procedures.
● In the event of a sudden power failure or disconnection that affects your Windows 10 hard drive, resulting in file damage or loss, attempt a system restore to a previous version to recover the files.
● Windows 10 allows the creation of multiple user accounts, each with its own unique desktop, music, downloads, documents, and pictures folders. If you notice missing folders on the desktop, it’s possible you’ve logged into a different user account.
● Damage to hard disk sectors can result in missing folders, often due to either prolonged wear or improper use. Sectors, the areas that store data, are essential components of a hard disk’s functionality.
● Hardware problem: Hard disks have a finite lifespan, and as they approach the end of this period, the likelihood of hardware failure increases, potentially leading to sudden folder disappearance. To prevent irreversible data loss, it’s crucial to regularly back up critical files, as recovery software often fails to retrieve data lost to hardware malfunctions.
The above is the analysis of the reasons for the disappearance of Windows 10 folders. Let’s learn how to restore the disappeared Windows 10 folders.

II. How to restore folders disappeared in Windows 10?

1. Show hidden files and folders

To unhide a folder, first ensure your computer is started and then open File Explorer. Navigate to the View tab and make sure to check the Hidden Items checkbox. After that, right-click on the hidden folder, select Properties, uncheck the Hidden option, and finally click OK.
show hidden items in windows

2. Switch login account or view data of other users

If you can’t find a specific folder (such as Desktop, Music, Downloads, Documents, or Pictures) on your Windows 10 desktop, ensure you’re logged into the correct user account. To switch accounts, left-click the Start icon, select the currently logged-in user account (shown as ‘Administrator‘ in the example), and choose the desired account to log in. Once logged into the correct account, verify if the folder is present.
Find the administrator account
To view another user’s data without switching accounts, navigate to This PC > System (C:) > Users, double-click the desired user folder, and if a permission prompt appears, click ‘Continue’ to gain access.
Windows access other user data, You do not currently have permission to access this folder
Access the user’s desktop, music, downloads, documents, videos, and other folders with ease. Additionally, utilize the search box in the upper right corner to find folders by name.
If the folder remains missing after trying previous methods, it may have been accidentally deleted. Consider using professional data recovery software such as Renee Undeleter to scan the hard drive and retrieve the data.

3. Use Renee Undeleter to restore files

Renee Undeleter is a professional data recovery software designed to help you recover lost files caused by accidental deletion, recycle bin emptying, or disk/memory card/U disk formatting. It is equipped with four key modules: Fast Partition Scan, Whole Partition Scan, Whole Disk Scan, and Image Creation, providing a comprehensive suite of tools to tackle a variety of data loss scenarios you may encounter during system usage.
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The trial version of Renee Undeleter is designed to scan hard disk data, and it comes with a preview function to help you ascertain the integrity of the files. Below are the detailed procedures to follow:
Step 1: Download, install, and launch Renee Undeleter on your Windows PC. Select Whole Partition Scan from the main menu for initial recovery. If this does not yield the desired files, opt for a Whole Disk Scan to perform an extensive search.
Note: To prevent data overwriting, install Renee Undeleter on a separate disk from the one where data loss occurred. Use the partition recovery feature to scan all partitions on a hard disk. Ensure the software is not installed on the same disk as the partition requiring data recovery to enable scanning in this mode.
select whole partition scan in renee undeleter to recover deleted video from sd card
  • Fast Partition Scan: Recovers files lost from accidental deletion or recycle bin clearance.
  • Whole Partition Scan: Restores files from inaccessible or formatted partitions.
  • Whole Disk Scan: Analyzes partition information for a comprehensive scan of the entire disk.
  • Image Creation: Generates a partition mirror image for backup, allowing data restoration from the image.
Step 2: Next, select the hard disk partition that needs to recover data. After the selection is complete, click (Next).
Renee Undeleter Whole Partition Scan
Step 3: Once the scan commences, please be patient until completion. To preview a file, double-click on it. Should it match your criteria, proceed to select the file and click Recover. To streamline the process for multiple files, employ the file filter feature by typing the desired file extension (e.g., jpg, png, pdf, mp4) and press Enter to refine your search results.
preview before recovery
Step 4: Choose an alternative hard disk partition for file storage by clicking the Browse button, then select Restore. Upon completion of the recovery process, click Browse recovered files to inspect the retrieved files.
recover the whole disk data