Accidently deleted downloaded files

bobbymcgee · May 8, 2016

Greetings and Happy Mothers Day, ok, sorry I keep coming back to you guys but you are the best there is to me anyways. Here's the thing my buddy (again) doesn't know how it was done but the files in the download folder all got deleted. Here's what we tried system restore (with and without antivirus) keeps coming back with unable to restore your system. Also did in safe mode w/ networking. Did sfc /scannow said there were no problems. Checked for malware etc. again nothing. Tried reccuva(didn't have download folder listed). someone suggested tweaking.com/windows repair but, not sure how to do this. So once again any and all help is appreciated. :thud:

Digerati · May 8, 2016

Ummm, note the Download folder is really just the default "temporary" location for files and programs the user downloads but does not specify a different download location. Once those programs are installed, the Download folder can be emptied. In fact, many disk cleanup programs, including CCleaner or Windows' own Disk Cleanup purge that location as a matter of routine to keep clutter at bay, but also for security - to prevent potentially vulnerable insecure old versions of program from being exploited.

If there was something in the Download folder he needs, just download it again. This will ensure he gets the latest (and hopefully most secure) version.

xilolee · May 8, 2016

Hi bobbymcgee and Digerati. :smile9:

Sorry to say, but this statement isn't correct:

Digerati said:
many disk cleanup programs, including CCleaner or Windows' own Disk Cleanup purge that location as a matter of routine

Cleanmgr/disk cleanup doesn't remove files from MSIE11 download folder (usually located in c:\users\folder-of-the-actual-windows-account\downloads - I can't say %username% because I see recently if I change the username, the folder won't be changed...), even if I set cleanmgr to remove everything (with the sageset parameter).

The same is true for:

WiseCare365 and WiseDiskCleaner
Piriform CrapCleaner/CCleaner
KCSoftwares KCleaner
GlarySoft GlaryUtilities - DiskCleaner
Kerish Doctor - Cleanup of junk files

I'm not totally sure about ccleaner with winapp2.ini (made by users), but I think also in that case the download folder will be untouched.
The user should set that folder in ccleaner or in WiseDiskCleaner/WCare365 on purpose to remove the files in it.

:wave:

bobbymcgee · May 8, 2016

Greetings, not sure what actually happened only know that the said files(download) some how got deleted. The folder is there it's just empty. Checked everywhere(program files, sys32.wow64, you name it I checked) Also ran system restore again (turned av off) said system couldn't be restored came back with error code 0x80070005. Any input into using tweaking.com windows repair? :confused2:

bobbymcgee · May 9, 2016

bobbymcgee said:
Greetings, not sure what actually happened only know that the said files(download) some how got deleted. The folder is there it's just empty. Checked everywhere(program files, sys32.wow64, you name it I checked) Also ran system restore again (turned av off) said system couldn't be restored came back with error code 0x80070005. Any input into using tweaking.com windows repair? :confused2:

xilolee · May 9, 2016

A system restore point won't help you to recover the files in the download folder. That folder isn't saved by registry restore.
There could be chances to recover those files if your friend did any backups... Or if she/you used programs like recuva, after the pc started from a recovery USB/CD (without starting the pc).

bobbymcgee · May 9, 2016

xilolee said:
A system restore point won't help you to recover the files in the download folder. That folder isn't saved by registry restore.
There could be chances to recover those files if your friend did any backups... Or if she/you used programs like recuva, after the pc started from a recovery USB/CD (without starting the pc).

If you read my post you would have seen that we tried recuva it didn't work.I was informed that the purpose of any system restore is to undo actions that were done regardless if by accident or not. Thank you:thud:

Digerati · May 9, 2016

xilolee said:
Hi bobbymcgee and Digerati. :smile9:

Sorry to say, but this statement isn't correct:

Digerati said:

many disk cleanup programs, including CCleaner or Windows' own Disk Cleanup purge that location as a matter of routine

Click to expand...

As seen through the link I provided above, Disk Cleanup does indeed clear out the Downloaded program folder.

Regardless, it does not change the fact the files saved in download folders are for temporary use and if needed, just download them again.

@bobbymcgee - it would probably be best if you told us specifically what files you are looking for.

bobbymcgee · May 9, 2016

Digerati said:
xilolee said:

Hi bobbymcgee and Digerati. :smile9:

Sorry to say, but this statement isn't correct:

Digerati said:

many disk cleanup programs, including CCleaner or Windows' own Disk Cleanup purge that location as a matter of routine

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

As seen through the link I provided above, Disk Cleanup does indeed clear out the Downloaded program folder.

Regardless, it does not change the fact the files saved in download folders are for temporary use and if needed, just download them again.

@bobbymcgee - it would probably be best if you told us specifically what files you are looking for.

Actually I'm not looking for anything. My friend says it's mostly regular downloaded stuff that he just didn't get rid of. Someone had mentioned to just re-download everything but he can't remember everything he had in the folder. He said most of it was for win 7 ( which really can't be used again) So there you go. :huh:

Digerati · May 9, 2016

So there you go. :huh:

Yeah, I am scratching my head too. Nothing is "run" or used by Windows once whatever was initially put in there is installed. And if a program, it would now be installed in the default "Program Files" or "Program Files (x86)" folder locations, or a user designated location if not using the default. Plus, anything that was in that download folder is most light out-of-date by now. So I don't see the worry about not remembering what was in there. Maybe he should download something new and see where it goes. Maybe he changed the default download location and forgot that too.

bobbymcgee · May 9, 2016

Digerati said:
So there you go. :huh:

Click to expand...

Yeah, I am scratching my head too. Nothing is "run" or used by Windows once whatever was initially put in there is installed. And if a program, it would now be installed in the default "Program Files" or "Program Files (x86)" folder locations, or a user designated location if not using the default. Plus, anything that was in that download folder is most light out-of-date by now. So I don't see the worry about not remembering what was in there. Maybe he should download something new and see where it goes. Maybe he changed the default download location and forgot that too.

Yeah I'm just going to tell him don't sweat it. Next time you download something put it where you won't loose it(like a removable drive) Before i go can you just give me some input on the capture in post #5. Never got that

xilolee · May 9, 2016

Digerati said:
As seen through the link I provided above, Disk Cleanup does indeed clear out the Downloaded program folder.

It does indeed clear out the c:\windows\downloaded program files, but it doesn't indeed clear out the c:\users\account-folder\downloads.

Read More:

By the way you must not believe me. Just try it on your machine.
I think you also have got cleanmgr.exe and c:\windows\downloaded program files path-folder and c:\users\account-folder\downloads path-folder on your windows machine.

Digerati · May 9, 2016

(like a removable drive)

Or change the default download locations. My download folder has 6 sub-folders (Hardware Stuff, Internet & Networking Stuff, Misc Stuff, OS Stuff, Security Stuff, and Utilities). When I download a program, I always do a "Save as" and put in one of those folders.

xilolee · May 9, 2016

bobbymcgee said:
If you read my post you would have seen that we tried recuva it didn't work

I read it, but I don't think you used it as first method, starting the pc in another way (through a rescue cd, as an example).
The problem is the more you use the PC and the drive(s) where the files were, the less are the chances to recover the lost files.

aftend89 · Jun 1, 2016

Did you try restore function of system in Windows? Usually in such case it is effective.

Digerati · Jun 1, 2016

@aftend89 - I see you just joined today so, Welcome! We appreciate you wanting to help. But when dredging up old, dormant threads, it is best to read through them first. Note the OP said in his opening post they tried restore.

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