Solved Shadow Copy

So I managed to nuke pics/docs among other files using a windows debloater. I 'got' them all back using an app called Shadowcopyview.exe but *every* file is corrupted / unknown. Even though it says .pdf or .jpg they can't be opened?

Any thoughts besides 'he should have imaged first'?

Recycle Bin?

ChrisPbass said:

So I managed to nuke pics/docs among other files using a windows debloater. I 'got' them all back using an app called Shadowcopyview.exe but *every* file is corrupted / unknown. Even though it says .pdf or .jpg they can't be opened?

Any thoughts besides 'he should have imaged first'?

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Unfortunately that seems to be what should have been done.

I read some after I posted this thread and along with System Restore being basically a gamble, Shadow Copy (MS service) is a gamble and frequently fails.
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your valuables!

ChrisPbass said:

Any thoughts besides 'he should have imaged first'?

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System restore will NOT restore personal files because user data is not included in a restore point.
Once a personal file is corrupted,I know of nothing a user can do natively in windows to un-corrupt it. There are 3rd party tools that tout they can do it but I have not used them so have no recommendation. There are professional companies who advertise they can as well but I'm sure at a hefty cost.. There's always a slim chance one of the Live Linux distros could open them but that too would be a longshot depending on the level of corruption.

I would suggest that you’re completely out of luck. There are a lot of file retrieval softwares out there but I haven’t really found one that works that well, usually resulting in what you’ve discovered, unreadable files.

ChrisPbass said:

So I managed to nuke pics/docs among other files using a windows debloater.

Click to expand...

ChrisPbass said:

Any thoughts besides 'he should have imaged first'

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1. Maybe don’t use debloaters (scripts?). Use Revo Uninstaller Free to remove unwanted apps
2. You should of imaged first. (Sorry) Doing anything major to your computer warrants an image before proceeding. Debloating would be classed as major. It’s just a fact, people reminding you not only serves you but anyone who comes across this thread when searching for answers.

antspants said:

I would suggest that you’re completely out of luck. There are a lot of file retrieval softwares out there but I haven’t really found one that works that well, usually resulting in what you’ve discovered, unreadable files.






1. Maybe don’t use debloaters (scripts?). Use Revo Uninstaller Free to remove unwanted apps
2. You should of imaged first. (Sorry) Doing anything major to your computer warrants an image before proceeding. Debloating would be classed as major. It’s just a fact, people reminding you not only serves you but anyone who comes across this thread when searching for answers.

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Does every person HAVE to say I should have imaged 1st? No rubbish... I THOUGHT restore worked and have learned my big ol lesson.
I was very careful with the debloater, I just didn't understand that onedrive was my _____________ docs/pix. Debloater does more than just uninstall. I just CC Cleaner pro for that.
I just came back on 11F to ask about onedrive but I don't understand. I didn't even have 1D turned on!

ChrisPbass said:

Does every person HAVE to say I should have imaged 1st?

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That is practically this forum's (and tenforums) motto.
Main reason everybody says it is because people tend not to read all the interim threads - only last few.

When it comes to data backups, the Golden Backup Rules of computing are:

1) if data is critical, backup to at least two separate locations (maybed even three) e.g. external hard drive, and to cloud.
2) if data is important but not critical, backup to at least one location (maybe even two).
3) backup frequently.
4) if any doubt, refer back to Rules 1,2 & 3.

Actually, image backups are NOT really the best way to image data.

Image backups are more for returning pc to a know status quickly.

It is generally considered on this forum that data should be on a different partition to the C drive, and ideally backed up separately.

A good backup stategy is a combination of image backups and data backups, and frequency depends on a users needs.

For example, on my home pc, I image backup weekly, and interim on as needs basis.

All critical data is immediately backed to onedrive, and to an external usb drive weekly.

I only backup lesser critical but important data to onedrive.

I rarely backup non critical data e.g. videos I can redownload more than once every three months.

Everybody has to work out a strategy that suits them, particularly if using pc for work.

ChrisPbass said:

Does every person HAVE to say I should have imaged 1st?

Click to expand...

antspants said:

It’s just a fact, people reminding you not only serves you but anyone who comes across this thread when searching for answers.

Click to expand...

You were very careful, yet here you are, not trying to be rude just factual based on your comments.
There are a lot of threads on OneDrive in here, there are hundreds in online searches because it’s probably the most controversial or talked about aspect of Microsoft Windows, in my opinion.

• Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder backup Syncing
• Enable or Disable OneDrive in Windows 11
• Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11
• Turn On or Off OneDrive Run at Startup in Windows 11

I seldom use a backup or imaging program, simply save dual or triple copies I want to save onto other drives, both USB and NAS. The process gives me instant access without having to restore. If changing a SATA drive, SSD or HDD, I use hardware/offline cloning. Haven't gotten into cloning NVMe drives yet.