Lost Files after Upgrading to Windows 11? Learn How to Recover Them

Summary: If you’re having trouble locating files on your system after upgrading to Windows 11, you can try some proven methods shared in this blog to recover the lost files. The best way to recover lost files after Windows 11 upgrade is by using a powerful data recovery software.

Windows 11 is finally here and most of you must have already installed it on your system. As announced by Microsoft, this new OS will be provided to all eligible devices by 2023. Windows 11 offers multiple new apps and efficient ways to enhance productivity. Certainly, it’s a wholly unique experience for users.

However, the excitement gets lost when you end up losing your crucial files, folders, and favorite photos after upgrading to this new OS. Therefore, it’s always recommended to set up your Microsoft account to transfer files and folders and back up your system files.

If you have lost files after upgrading to Windows 11, check out the possible methods to recover the lost files.

How to Recover Files after Upgrading to Windows 11?

Here are some effective methods to recover files that are lost after Windows 11 upgrade:

Method 1: Sign in to your Microsoft Account with the Right Profile

You may have trouble finding your files after upgrading to Windows 11, if you’re signed into a temporary profile. You need to sign into the right Microsoft account. To do so, follow the given steps:

If this option appears, click it. You may receive a message stating, ‘You are logged on with a temporary profile. Roaming options are currently unavailable’ on your screen.

Reboot your system and sign in to your Microsoft account with the right profile.

Note: It’s recommended to back up your files and folders to an external storage media drive. Else, your data will be deleted when you sign out of a temporary account.

Method 2: Recover Files using Troubleshoot Search and Indexing

If you’re not signed in with a temporary profile, you may search for your files through Troubleshoot Search and Indexing. Follow the given steps:

Method 3: Unhide Hidden Files

Your files appear to be lost if they’re hidden. You can unhide them by following the given steps:

Method 4: Restore File from Backup

If you have a backup, use it to restore the lost files after the Windows 11 upgrade. Follow the given steps:

Method 5: Recover Files with Data Recovery Software

If you’re still not able to recover the lost files, try Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition. It is an easy-to-use software powered by smart and powerful scanning algorithms that help you find and retrieve files lost due to deletion, drive formatting, corruption, or even malware infection. The software is also efficient at restoring files lost due to Windows upgrade.

The software supports recovery of all file formats and types from Windows PCs, laptops, and external storage media drives, such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and more. To retrieve files using this software, follow the given steps:

Note: Using this software, you can recover up to 1 GB of data free of cost.

To Wrap Up

Recovering lost files after Windows 11 upgrade isn’t a hard row to hoe. You can follow the methods discussed in this blog to get back your deleted, lost, or even hidden files.

Additionally, using Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition can be of big help when the rest of the methods don’t seem to help. It is a DIY free data recovery software that can efficiently retrieve files and folders from Windows systems and storage media drives.

FAQ

A. How can I transfer my files from Windows 10 to Windows 11?

You need to create a Microsoft account. Once the account is set up, it will connect your device across Microsoft applications and services, such as Edge, Office, OneDrive, etc. When you sign in to your account on Windows 11, your files, folders, and other data will automatically be transferred to the device. Read more.

B. Can I delete Windows 10 after installing Windows 11?

Usually, after ten days of upgrading to Windows 11, your previous version of Windows (Windows 10) will automatically be deleted from your PC. However, if you’re certain that your files and settings are fine, you can manually do it with the following steps:

  1. Open Settings > System > Storage > This PC > Temporary files.
  2. Choose the previous version of Windows under Remove temporary files and then choose to Remove files.

It is to be noted that deleting Windows 10 after upgrading to Windows 11 can’t be undone.

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