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Question

C drive problems

Jul 11, 2019 12:01PM PDT

I have accidentally deleted multiple important files from my laptops c drive, now none of the icons on the tool bar will work except a select few. The Windows icon won't start even on the keyboard so I can't get to the computer settings. What can I do to get the important files back onto the c drive?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: deleted
Jul 11, 2019 12:08PM PDT

First check if they are in the Recycle Bin. If so, restore them.
If you can get to the command prompt, run sfc /scannow.
If you have a backup, use that.
If you made a recovery drive (recommended!), use that.
If your PC came with recovery discs or you made them, use those.

If none of the above, download a Windows install disc or stick from Microsoft, and boot from it to initiate repair options.

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Recovered c drive files
Jul 11, 2019 12:56PM PDT

I have recovered the files that I deleted from my laptops c drive, I have saved them onto an external drive. How do I put them back onto the c drive?

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Re: put back on c-drive
Jul 11, 2019 1:00PM PDT

Just copy (using File Explorer) to the place where they belong.

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My method has been to boot up Linux to copy files back.
Jul 11, 2019 1:02PM PDT

HOWEVER THIS WILL ONLY PUT BACK THE FILES AND MAY NOT REPAIR A BLOWN WINDOWS OS.

This is why we recover files then try repairing the installed OS with whatever tools we can. At the office we don't do this because folk today won't pay for the time so it's always a clean install then put there files back for them as I'm encounter more and more users that can't copy files back from an external drive. Don't know why folk are pushing back on basic skills like that.