How To Recover Lost or Deleted Files After Windows 11 Upgrade?

recover data after Windows 11 update

We all wish to move to the latest software and applications to easily access the latest technology and features. Be it for security or features; the new version gives us more reasons to upgrade to Windows 11. 

 Generally, upgrading from windows 10, windows 8, or windows 7 to windows 11 must be a smooth process. Most of the documents and other information will be restored, but in some cases, you may lose documents like photos, passwords, etc., after upgrading to Windows 11.

In these situations, we ask questions like: Will upgrading to Windows 11 delete my files? Can data be recovered after a Windows reset? If Yes, how do I recover files after Windows 11 update?

No need to worry; you can easily recover missing files after upgrading to Windows 11. In this article, you will help you learn how to recover files after upgrading to Windows 11.

Why Do the Files Get Deleted After Windows 11 Upgrade?

Numerous reasons can lead to file deletion not appearing or being hidden. The following are some reasons why Windows 11 upgrades cause data loss.

  • You might be supported with a temporary Windows account.
  • The previous account that you used before the update is presently not working.
  • Documents might have moved to different areas.
  • The records might be erased unintentionally during upgrading to Windows 11.
  • Files might be lost due to Corruption.
  • Inaccurate up-gradation.

How to Recover Deleted Files After Windows 11 Update or Reset?

Here are some tried and tested solutions to recover files after a factory reset or update on Windows 11:

Method 1: Remove The Temporary Account

You may have trouble finding old documents if you have recently updated your PC to Windows 11. You may have old or temporary credentials logged in as your user account.

message saying can't sign into your account

Step 1: First, check if you are logged in with a temporary account.

Step 2: Now, Select Start > Settings > Manage your account > Sync your settings. A pop-up will appear stating, “You are signed in with a temporary profile. Roaming options are presently unable”. So, what you need to do is restart your PC and sign in once again. This process will resolve the problem, and you can access your documents again.

Step 3: Sync the Settings page.

Step 4: If you get the message, “We can’t sign into your account,” try signing out and signing in again by inputting the credentials. 

Method 2: Using the Search Bar

Try searching for the files directly in the search options if you are not having trouble signing in. You can use the File Explorer search option (upper-right corner search box) for this task. Alternatively, you can use the search bar on the taskbar.

For example, you need to find a PDF file. Either type up the document name or type *.pdf to display all available PDFs and look for your preferred one.

Method 3: Windows Backup and Restore

windows backup and restore

For recovering files later, we can back up files using the Windows backup feature. Go to the search of the taskbar, Type Control panel > view by: large icon > Backup and Restore.
Next, you click to Create a system image > Next on the pop-up. Next, you’ll see another interface to select the drives you want to restore. Tap “Next” and Hit“Start backup.” This will create a backup folder for your drives.

Method 4: Enable Administrator Account

The administrative account may get disabled during the installation of windows 11. In such cases, the files or documents under the account are inaccessible. 

Step 1: Type “Computer Management” in the search bar in the taskbar.

Step 2: Then click “Local Users and Groups” > “Users”.

Step 3: Now, Double click “Administrator” and untick “Account is disabled”.

Step 4: Hit Apply and then click OK.

Suppose none of the above methods worked out. In that case, you need to use a prominent data recovery software like Yodot File Recovery to regain lost or deleted files after the Windows 11 update or factory reset.

Method 5: Recover Missing or Deleted Files After Windows 11 Update using Yodot File Recovery

downloadnow-win

When you can’t recover the files using the above methods, try Yodot File Recovery software.

It is an easy-to-use application built with smart and powerful scanning algorithms that helps you recover files deleted due to deleting, drive formatting, corruption, and other reasons.

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

Steps to recover data after installing the new Windows:

Step 1: Download Yodot File Recovery software and install it on your laptop or PC.

yodot file step 1

Step 2: Select the drive from where files are to be recovered and permit the software to scan the drive.

yodot file step 2

Step 3: View the recovered data in two different viewing patterns for easy file selection. Select the ones which you need to recover.

yodot file step 3

Step 4: Preview” option allows you to preview the recovered file to ensure that the correct file has been rescued.

Tips to Consider Before Upgrading to Windows 11 Without Losing Files:

You can follow these tips before upgrading your system to prevent data loss and to have a smooth Windows 11 upgrade.

  • Check the system requirements to see if your hardware supports Windows 11 upgradation or not.
  • Don’t forget to take a data backup to avoid data loss.