Download files are gone

Start backing up your computer. My recommendation is a periodic image backup , with daily incremental backups , but the details matter less than doing it. Check the Recycle Bin. If they are, you can quickly and easily restore them. Search for the file s. Try to recall the name of one of the files, and search for it using Windows Search or the Command Prompt. If the file was moved to a different folder, you might find it there. This may also lead you to understand what happened and locate other files as well.

Check File History. Check OneDrive. Try file recovery. Regardless of whether you agree with me or not, you need to protect yourself, and the easiest way is simply to move the files elsewhere once downloaded. Subscribe to Confident Computing! Less frustration and more confidence, solutions, answers, and tips in your inbox every week. Download right-click, Save-As Duration: — 4. It may still exist in other tools, however. N assumed it was win I have never had this issue myself. I usually end up having to clear out the Downloads folder myself, so I am not missing anything current that i may have downloaded.

You mention that the option is being removed in a future version. The option to cleanup the downloads folder or to NOT delete the downloads folder? BTW, I did have a subdirectory inside my downloads folder deleted by disk cleanup once. Lesson learned. Another option. This also applies if you are using a download manager.

Excellent suggestions. I downloaded the user manual for my new cell phone to the download folder. It was there for less than a week before it was gone. I found it in my setup folder where I keep the installation files for the apps on my computer.

Good to know even if it is thirty five years or so late. Maybe some of them are still on my computer and nobody knows where Microsoft put them.

It will find ,as its name implies, Everything even deleted files. It has many other options for searching. Hope this will help. I never had any idea there was any danger. After reading this article, I emptied the Download folder into another folder.

Actually, I should take some time and move those files into more appropriate folders. Since my old Win 7 machines run with a standard user for everyone and an admin user for me, downloading a file while logged in as admin made it difficult for other users, either on the machine or on the network, to find these files. Problem solved! I believe it to be number 1 on the list above. But whatever or wherever it is located, I have never lost a file that I downloaded. And, as Leo suggests, if it is an important download, I move it to a separate, distinct folder and back it up!

Makes typing these entries into various open and save dialog boxes MUCH easier. Some programs have their own default Downloads folder which is can be changed inside the program. You can move the Downloads or any folder using Windows File Explorer. This article explains how to move the My Documents folder but it works for any folder. I moved Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos inside the OneDrive folder so all my personal files are synchronized on the cloud and are on all of my computers.

I have two Download folders. When you try to download new files or program, you might not be able to access it either. So how to fix this issue?

If you indeed lost some important personal files and data in the Downloads folder, relax! The professional data recovery software will help. This trustworthy and highly recommended data recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard shall be your best choice and you can directly download this software right here now:.

Install it and just follow the steps below to restore your lost Downloads folder data with ease now:. If you lost files in Downloads folder, move your mouse on "Select Folder" and click "Browse". If the whole Downloads folder is missing, select C: drive the default location of the Downloads folder and click "OK" to scan and find your lost Downloads folder. Here in this part, we'd like to provide useful and effective methods to you to restore deleted, disappeared or missing Downloads folder in Windows 10, 8 or 7.

You may selectively follow any one of the below-recommended methods to restore Downloads folder with ease now:. Download the file desktop. Extract desktop. Replace the desktop. System Restore will help you fully solve Downloads folder lost, disappear or missing issue in Windows 10, 8 or 7.

It's highly recommended for all Windows users to create system and data backup first in case of unexpected errors from happening. Here below we'll guide you to perform a system restore in Windows 10 as an example to restore Downloads folder to the original version with ease now:. He mainly writes articles about data recovery tutorials on PC and Mac and how-to tips for partition management. He always keeps an eye on new releases and likes various electronic products.

It's far from perfect, partly because today's advanced disk technology makes data-recovery more difficult than it was with the simpler technology of the past. It comes with a selection of advanced features, including partition recovery, formatted drive restoration, and corrupted file repair. Store Download Support Live Chat.

Restore Downloads Folder with Software Part 2.