Is it Possible to Recover Files from Windows 8->8->10?

[diana139]

Hi,

My boyfriend was running a bootlegged version of Windows 8. I reinstalled his Windows to a legitimate version of Windows 8 so that he could get the free upgrade upgrade to Windows 10.

When we went from Windows 8-->Windows 8, the only option the installer gave us was "Keep Nothing", so we backuped files onto an external harddrive (or so we thought), before the wipe. He had a bunch of important files on his Desktop but it turns out they were copied as shortcuts on the external harddrive and so he can't access any of these files. We didn't know this until we were already running Windows 10. So basically, we installed Windows twice on the same day, which was today.

He's extremely upset about these files he lost. They were a reflection of his undergraduate career. Is there any way to get them back? He's tried opening the windows.old folder but there's nothing there. If he were to restore to the Windows 8 that he had previously, is there any chance? Is there anything that can be done?

Experts, please help. Much, much, much appreciated.

 

[1etherer]

Hi,

How long ago did you upgrade? windows.old data stay there for 28 days (they say).

Install Recuva https://www.piriform.com/recuva and scan the folder to see if it can recover any data. if it can, you will need to pay for the software to retrieve it.

rolling back to windows 8 is not possible without windows.old data.

 

[carnageX]

Hi,

How long ago did you upgrade? windows.old data stay there for 28 days (they say).

Install Recuva https://www.piriform.com/recuva and scan the folder to see if it can recover any data. if it can, you will need to pay for the software to retrieve it.

rolling back to windows 8 is not possible without windows.old data.

This is the option I suggest. Until then, limit usage of the computer. Every piece of data that get's written to the drive in the mean time, will reduce the chance of files being recovered because they're being overwritten.