Windows did an update and I had an excel file open, the most recent auto recover is from back in July which is month ago. I cannot seem to find a more recent one anywhere. Alot of data lost!

Hello Erin,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum!

From what you described, I understand a recent Windows update has caused your files from July onward to appear missing.

This issue often happens because Windows loads a temporary profile which hides your original data. I know how panicking and frustrating this can be but don’t worry, your data is usually still there. Below are several methods to help you recover your files.

Note: Just a heads-up, if the file was never saved or sync was interrupted, data may not be recoverable. But it’s worth checking the below options:

1. Restart your PC multiple times

Restart PC 4 times, letting the PC fully load to the desktop each time. This often forces Windows to reload your original profile.

2. Check for Duplicate User Folders

• Open File Explorer > navigate to C:\Users.
• Open those folders and check inside to see if your files are there
• Look for: Your usual profile folder. Another folder with a similar name
• If you find your files in the old folder: Create a new user profile with Admin rights. Log into the new profile. Copy your data from the old profile folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to the new one.
  Note: Do NOT copy files into the temporary profile, they will be deleted when the issue is fixed.

3. Registry Fix for Temporary Profile (recommended)

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry is usually geared towards advanced users, administrators,... it can help fix some problems; however, improper registry modifications can cause serious problems. Therefore, please make sure to follow the steps below carefully. For further protection, make a backup of the registry before modifying it. For more information on how to backup and restore the registry, please refer to: How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Step 1: Open Registry Editor

1. Click Start, type regedit.
2. Right-click on Registry Editor > select Run as Administrator.

In Registry Editor, go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

Step 2: Check for RefCount

In each profile key:

If you see a subkey named RefCount, double-click it.

Change Value data to 0

Click OK and close Registry Editor.

Step 3: Update Windows
Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates

If the issue still persists, open Registry Editor again (Run as Administrator).

• Navigate to the same path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

Look for two similar profile keys

• One normal (without .bak)
• One ending with .bak  (This is your original profile)

Do the following:

• Delete the normal key (which without .bak)
• Rename the .bak key by removing .bak.
• Close Registry Editor.
• Restart your PC to apply changes.

See a related thread: Windows update deleted all files from my desktop.

I hope those methods could help you recover your files. If you need further assistance or have any questions, feel free to ask me. I'm here to support you!

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If you are not synchronizing your files with the cloud, you must save often. Press Ctrl+S in Excel, Word or PowerPoint as soon as you stop typing for a moment.

The "Save AutoRecover information every X minutes" setting is not a replacement for manual saves.