You have just completed a system restore and returned your computer to a previous state.
Everything seems to be working fine, until — suddenly — you notice that some of your files are missing.
System Restore should not delete any of your personal files, but failures during the process can cause this issue.
An incorrect system restore may cause some files to disappear from their original location.
But don’t panic! It is possible to recover lost files 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 used, Windows restores important files and settings, such as drivers, registry keys, system files, and installed programs, returning them to previous versions and configurations.
In other words, System Restore creates a kind of “snapshot” of system files and the Windows registry, known as a restore point.
This allows the system to return to a working state after installation failures or data corruption, without needing to reinstall the operating system.
Does System Restore delete personal files?
You probably know that System Restore requires a restore point, which is not exactly a backup, but rather a snapshot of 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, this process does affect programs and updates installed after the restore point.
- 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.
It is also important to note that it is possible to lose files during a system restore due to process errors, viruses, or hardware issues.
For this reason, it is recommended to back up important files before performing a system restore.
Common situations of file loss after System Restore
Before explaining how to recover lost files, let’s look at the most common causes:
Lack of backup
Many users store files on the main drive without creating backups.
During a system restore, the system may overwrite data, leading to file loss.
Incorrect operations
During the process, some users may select incorrect options, such as formatting drives, which results in deleting all data.
There may also be issues with the partition table, preventing 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
Physical failures in the drive where data is stored can also cause file loss after a system restore.
System incompatibility
Drives that are incompatible with Windows may lead to residual data being lost, even after disconnection.
How to recover files after a System Restore?
Step 1 – Backup and Restore
Open “Backup and Restore” from the Start menu and follow the path: Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Backup and Restore.
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 the steps above do not work, it may be time to seek professional assistance.
Look for a reliable data recovery service.
At Bot, we are specialists in data recovery, regardless of your operating system or device type.
With over a decade of experience, we work in controlled environments that ensure the integrity of your device.
We have successfully handled more than 200,000 cases.
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 shipping, diagnosis within 48 hours, and continuous support.
If you want to recover your files safely, start your data recovery now.
