Where is the missing folder?
Where is the missing folder?
Hey there, I saw you mention a folder you often use on your desktop that hasn’t been deleted. It’s strange since no one else has touched it and the system logs aren’t showing any activity. You’re wondering if something unusual might be happening—maybe even a ransomware attack? I’m here to help you explore this further.
I don't believe it's a virus. It might appear in the second window since you're not giving enough time to wait for results in the first one (or maybe due to a typo). The missing folder could have been moved—this often happens when someone accidentally clicks the mouse button while moving the mouse over a folder. Try using any file manager with its search feature and look again. There are many options besides Windows Explorer; it might also be a broken search database that needs rebuilding. See https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-...ows-vista/ (it's for Vista, but similar steps apply). You could also use tools like AdwCleaner to be sure.
I agree, it doesn't seem like a virus, but it's quite strange. After years of building and using PCs, I know these things don't just happen. My main worry is that another program might have removed it or there was some kind of corruption. What surprised me was realizing the folder was gone when I saw it missing. There was about 34.6GB of space left on the C drive. If the folder had been deleted, I expected roughly 5GB more space since it matched the size of what was missing. I thought it might be a system error, so I ran several checks: DISM tool, System File Checker (SFC.exe), and scanned the disk twice. Now the system has 39.9GB, but my drive still shows 5GB extra without deleting anything or using any cleanup tools. This is really puzzling and makes me anxious about what might be happening.
Variations in behavior could stem from disk verification processes or system updates. However, it's unusual. It's wise to employ any file manager with logging features. This way, if something goes missing later, you'll be able to identify whether the issue lies with you. I'll begin by checking Autoruns and observing what starts up on my system. I also advise against using sfc or reinstalling unless necessary, as these might not resolve the root cause since we don't fully understand the problem. Certain applications can encounter difficulties—for instance, I recently used a video converter and found it problematic. Consequently, I opted to remove the program from its directory instead of relying on a system tool. The path was "c:\progs" which connects to "C:\Program Files". After removal, the junction disappears without leaving any remnants. By the way, I remember from years ago that accessing system folders like the desktop can be problematic. Too many programs and utilities try to optimize or clean, which often makes them less useful.
Great to hear you're noticing so many spaces! Thanks for the feedback. From my experience, some reliable data recovery tools include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Stellar Data Recovery. Let me know if you need more options!
I created system images with Macrium Reflect and a second operating system since I’m cautious about working while the system runs. I prefer making images when the system is offline, using USB rescue media also made by Macrium Reflect. This helps me restore an older version of the system as a new drive and recover what I need. However, if you require a genuine recovery solution, I don’t recall needing it recently. I have backups of my systems and important data stored on standard SATA drives (regular HDDs), not temporary USB devices that fail after warranty. I don’t plan to restore anything for years.