You have just completed a system restore and returned your computer to a previous state.
Deleted files can stay recoverable until they are overwritten: stop using the device. If software does not solve it, see Bot’s professional data recovery, which starts with a free diagnosis.
Everything seems to be working fine, until — suddenly — you notice that some of your files are missing.
System Restore should not delete your personal files, but a failure during the process can cause exactly that.
An incorrect system restore may cause some files to disappear from their original location.
But don’t panic! In many cases you can recover files lost after a system restore – and we’ll show you how.
What is System Restore?
System Restore is a Windows recovery tool that allows you to revert certain changes made to the operating system.
When you use it, Windows rolls back important files and settings, such as drivers, registry keys, system files and installed programs, to an earlier state.
To do this, Windows saves a kind of “snapshot” of the system files and the registry, known as a restore point.
This lets you bring the computer back to a working state after a failed installation or corrupted system files, without having to reinstall the operating system.
Does System Restore delete personal files?
System Restore relies on a restore point, which is not a full backup but a snapshot of the system settings.
Therefore, the answer is no: System Restore does not delete your personal files, such as photos, documents, music, videos, or emails stored on the hard drive.
However, it does affect programs and updates installed after the restore point, which are removed.
- System Restore generally does not delete personal files and cannot be used to recover files or folders;
- It may affect installed programs or Windows updates.
That said, you can still lose files during a system restore because of errors in the process, viruses or hardware problems.
That is why you should back up your important files before running a system restore.
Common causes of file loss after a system restore
Before explaining how to recover lost files, let’s look at the most common causes:
No backup
Many users keep their files only on the main drive, without any backup.
If something goes wrong during the restore, the system may overwrite data, and without another copy those files are lost.
Incorrect operations
Some users pick the wrong option during the process, such as Reset this PC, a Windows reinstall or formatting a drive – and those do erase data.
Errors in the partition table can also occur, preventing the data from being read properly.
Virus attacks
Viruses may hide files or make them inaccessible, giving the impression that they have been deleted.
Internal hard drive failures
A physical fault in the drive that holds your data can also cause file loss after a system restore. If you suspect one, stop using the drive.
System incompatibility
A drive or driver that is not compatible with the restored version of Windows may no longer be recognized properly, making it look as if the data has disappeared.
How do you recover files after a system restore?
Step 1 – Open Backup and Restore
This method only works if you had previously backed up your files with the Windows backup tool. Open “Backup and Restore” from the Start menu or go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Step 2 – Choose what to restore
- Click “Restore my files” to recover your data;
- Or select “Restore all users’ files”.
If prompted, enter the administrator password.
Step 3 – Browse the backup
- Select “Browse for files” or “Browse for folders”;
- To view individual files, use “Browse for files”.
Step 4 – Search the backup
Click “Search”, enter the file name, and press Enter.
Recover lost files with professional help
If these steps don’t work, or if you have no backup, it is time to get professional help – and to stop writing new data to the drive.
Look for a reliable data recovery service.
At Bot, we specialize in data recovery, whatever your operating system or device.
With more than two decades of experience, we work in controlled environments, including a Class 100 (ISO 5) cleanroom, to protect the integrity of your device.
We have handled more than 200,000 cases.
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Conclusion
System Restore is a reliable Windows feature, but in some cases, it can lead to file loss.
Fortunately, there are ways to recover these files, and the safest option is to rely on a professional data recovery service like Bot.
We offer free collection (islands not included) and a free standard diagnosis within 48 hours.
If you want to recover your files safely, start your data recovery now.
