If you’ve successfully upgraded your Windows version to a newer one (for example, from Windows 10 to Windows 11), and you find that some files, such as documents, photos, or other files, are missing, don’t worry guys—there’s a good chance you can still recover those files.
*Note, however, that the steps below only apply if you performed an **inplace upgrade** either from an ISO file or through Windows Update. If you did a **clean install**, there’s a 100% chance your files are permanently lost.
The method we’ll use is quite straightforward: searching for the files in the **Windows.old** folder. This is because, during an upgrade, files and settings from the previous Windows version are not deleted for at least 30 days after the upgrade. So, if any issues arise with the system, you can roll back to the previous version thanks to this folder.
Also Read: How to Roll Back to a Previous Version of Windows 10
Step 1. First, open File Explorer > Navigate to Drive C > Windows.old.
Step 2. Next, navigate to the folder where your file should be located. (For example, if my missing file was in the Downloads folder, I’d go to **Users > gylan > Downloads**).
Once you search, if the file hasn’t been deleted, you’ll likely find it there.
The missing file will be in its original location, so make sure you know where it should be. Cases like this are quite rare, and the chances of users encountering them are very slim. However, if you do experience a situation like mine, you can search for the file in the windows.old folder before the 30-day period expires.
What if the windows.old folder has been deleted? Can it still be recovered?
The answer is no, guys, but there might still be a slight chance by using a **recovery tool**, although some files may end up being corrupted or damaged.
Why does this happen? Honestly, I’m puzzled myself—all files and folders should have been moved to their actual locations rather than being relocated to the windows.old folder. But remember, this is an extremely rare occurrence.
Have you ever encountered a situation where files went missing after an upgrade? Share your experience in the comments below, guys.
