Missing files


Hughbris said:
OP states "I don't use OneDrive", posts images showing OneDrive - did you allow time for the files to upload to OneDrive? The folders will be empty until files have uploaded and they're populated....

NB. Deleting empty folders when you're using an online syncing service is not going to work well.
Click to expand...
That was my mistake. I used an older capture from a time when I used One Drive.

Banjoman301 said:
Since OneDrive is the parent folder, log in directly to your OneDrive account and see if the files are there.

If they are, your system has a sync issue.

If they're not, look in the online Recycle Bin.
Click to expand...
I havent had One Drive for a year so I dont think that would help, but thank you
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
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Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
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8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
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Scannerman said:
I was hoping there might be a chance that the OP could roll back to when the files were there before One Drive scooped them. They could use One Drive to restore them though. After that they could use the tutorial to remove One Drive from their PC.
Click to expand...
The same reply as above. I dont use One Drive recently.

============================================================================================

Im not familar with powershell.

You may not think you do not use onedrive but if your username is m1tho you ARE using Onedrive.
- Again, thats the mistake of posting an older capture


Glasskuter,
Im sorry that you have made suggestions thinking One Drive is in my computer system

Under 'installed apps', there is no One Drive

Screenshot 2026-08-21 221901.webp




Screenshot 2026-08-21 221929.webp


2. Then Unlink account and PC from Onedrive.
- No One Drive on computer


glasskuter said:
Open Revo and look under Windows Apps to find OneDrive. Right click on it and select Uninstall. Once the uninstall is complete, on Revo’s “SCAN” page, select “advanced scan” option. Check all the leftover files and registry entries Revo finds and delete them.
Click to expand...
- it is just above

I'm not comfortable to use powershell

Thank you for your help
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Scannerman said:
I was hoping there might be a chance that the OP could roll back to when the files were there before One Drive scooped them. They could use One Drive to restore them though. After that they could use the tutorial to remove One Drive from their PC.
Click to expand...
The same reply as above. I dont use One Drive recently.

============================================================================================

Im not familar with powershell.
glasskuter said:
FreeBooter said:
Restore files from System Restore Points using ShadowExplorer.


Start by downloading the latest version of ShadowExplorer:

ShadowExplorer.com - Downloads

ShadowExplorer is a graphical front end for the Windows Vista Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS). Easily restore previous versions of deleted files. It works with all editions of Windows Vista.
www.shadowexplorer.com www.shadowexplorer.com
Click to expand...
I dont want to do a system restore. I dont know the file names that are no longer there
Click to expand...
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
You are not performing system restore using the shadow explorer app you will browse restore points created backup of your files and restore the ones you found.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 5700GMicron Technology DDR4-3200 16GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard
Erica6
Memory
Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Sound Card
Realtek ALC671
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
Im sorry One Drive capture led to silutions involving One Drive. [did that make sense?]
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
7ncgkxhg-webp.180599


I dont know the names of missing files as like in this example so powershell wont help because I dont know (fully) what files are missing
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
M1000tutorials said:
7ncgkxhg-webp.180599


I dont know the names of missing files as like in this example so powershell wont help because I dont know (fully) what files are missing
Click to expand...
You can browse folders contents from restore points.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 5700GMicron Technology DDR4-3200 16GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard
Erica6
Memory
Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Sound Card
Realtek ALC671
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
I googled "why are files missing"



AI Overview

Files go missing due to accidental deletion, relocation, cloud sync redirection (such as OneDrive moving your Desktop or Documents folders), logging into a temporary user profile, hidden file settings, or file system corruption
 

Attachments

  • 1787377020515.webp
    1787377020515.webp
    3 KB · Views: 1

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
In Terminal[admin],type in---dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth---and run it.
When completed,then type in ---sfc/scannow ---and continue to run it until a Clean Report is given
Does the problem still exist?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

win 10amd ryzen 5-2600ng skill sniper x 16gbnvidea gtx 1050
OS
win 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
home built
CPU
amd ryzen 5-2600
Motherboard
gigabyte b450m-ds3h
Memory
ng skill sniper x 16gb
Graphics Card(s)
nvidea gtx 1050
Monitor(s) Displays
benq fp 92
Hard Drives
samsung 860 evo 500gb m2 ssd
PSU
antec ea550g
Case
nzxt noctis 450
Browser
edge
M1000tutorials said:
I havent had One Drive for a year so I dont think that would help, but thank you
Click to expand...
That is a very important point to know. Can you say exactly how you went about getting rid of onedrive because remnants of it are definitely still there?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9168AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.9168
Im running it
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
glasskuter said:
That is a very important point to know. Can you say exactly how you went about getting rid of onedrive because remnants of it are definitely still there?
Click to expand...
I dont remember. I would have looked on google to see how to remove it.

I ran 'Everything' and here are the results . . . There were 425 objects


- I'll explain I have another problem of files duplicating so there may be dupllicates below

Screenshot 2026-08-21 234558.webp


Screenshot 2026-08-21 234620.webp


Screenshot 2026-08-21 234516.webp


Screenshot 2026-08-21 234607.webp

Screenshot 2026-08-21 234550.webp


My understanding is that the boxes are related to OneDrive. Sample below . . .

Screenshot 2026-08-21 234939.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
I ran Revo Uninstaller and OneDrive was not in the results
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Well, I have 430,000 empty files. @M1000tutorials do you have Voidtools Everything installed?

425,000 are in C:\Windows\WinSxS\Temp\InFlight. I will see if moving them breaks Windows.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics16GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic LX15PRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics
    Motherboard
    BIOS CT_BI_AMI_LX15PRO_AB8139_A-004
    Memory
    16GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete beta

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506Atom N450 1.66GHz2GB
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
  • Acer Swift SF114-34 laptop
    OS Windows 11 Pro 26200.8894
    CPU Pentium Silver N6000
    RAM 4GB
    BIOS v1.17
    SSD Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB (an upgrade)
kelper said:
Well, I have 430,000 empty files. @M1000tutorials do you have Voidtools Everything installed?

425,000 are in C:\Windows\WinSxS\Temp\InFlight. I will see if moving them breaks Windows.
Click to expand...
Yes. (As should everyone ;-)
Why do you ask?



C:\Windows\WinSxS\Temp\InFlight.
- I have 3060 files

========================================================

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
- is still running, Its been 90? minutes. Only at 67%
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
M1000tutorials said:
I am trying to find out why files are missing.
Click to expand...
Which are the files that are missing? What were files? Are they user created files? Did you see files there before?

Are you missing any files in particular ... e.g. "All my photos are gone"?

And those screen shots at posts #26 and #27 are still showing OneDrive as the path of the so-called missing files?

Who created those numerically named folders?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 2xH2 (latest update ... forever anal)Intel i5-124008GBNVIDIA GeForce GT730
    OS
    Windows 11 2xH2 (latest update ... forever anal)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Slim S01
    CPU
    Intel i5-12400
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT730
    Sound Card
    OOBE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB KIOXIA NVMe
    1TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    OOBE
    Case
    OOBE
    Cooling
    OOBE
    Keyboard
    BT
    Mouse
    BT
    Browser
    Brave FFox Chrome Opera
    Antivirus
    KIS

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 2xH2 (latest update ... 4ever ...i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHzIntel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 2xH2 (latest update ... 4ever anal)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15
    CPU
    i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVMe 512GB
    + numerous/multiple SSD Type C USB enclosures
    Internet Speed
    NBN FTTN 50
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Screenshot 2026-08-22 015742.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
In Voidtools Everything, enter size:0 and at the bottom it will tell you how many files have zero bytes.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics16GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic LX15PRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics
    Motherboard
    BIOS CT_BI_AMI_LX15PRO_AB8139_A-004
    Memory
    16GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete beta

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506Atom N450 1.66GHz2GB
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
  • Acer Swift SF114-34 laptop
    OS Windows 11 Pro 26200.8894
    CPU Pentium Silver N6000
    RAM 4GB
    BIOS v1.17
    SSD Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB (an upgrade)
Screenshot 2026-08-22 031947.webp

Im not concerned with empty folders. Im concerned with missing files

thanks
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
OS
Win 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.8737
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Lenovo.
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305 (1.80 GHz)
Motherboard
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Memory
8.00 GB (7.70 GB usable)
Hard Drives
2 TB
Browser
Google Chrome, Version 151.0.7922.172 (Official Build) (64-bit)
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