Computer restarted - all files empty: Overnight my computer did a restart and when I opened it this morning the normal screen that I see is totally different from yesterday. Also, all...

jmccl Loc: Western Shore of Utah Lake

Overnight my computer did a restart and when I opened it this morning the normal screen that I see is totally different from yesterday. Also, all my files are missing, documents, pictures, etc empty folders. What did they just do to me???

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Did you try customer support for whatever kind of computer it is?

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Did you check that you are still SIGNED IN as you? Sounds like an UPDATE changed something. I have an update pending for my next reboot.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Did it upgrade from 10 to 11, providing it was a Windows computer?

fredpnm Loc: Corrales, NM

Another excellent reason not to leave your computer on overnight.

Since we have no information on what kind of computer - PC or Mac - and what version of the OS you are using, as well as some information on your setup - like any external drives, I am at a loss to offer up any ideas on what happened.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

If local, go to top computer consultant IMMEDIATELY!

Mr. SONY Loc: LI, NY

revhen wrote:

If local, go to top computer consultant IMMEDIATELY!

ASAP

kbk

One reason to have an external backup drive.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

fredpnm wrote:

Another excellent reason not to leave your computer on overnight.

Since we have no information on what kind of computer - PC or Mac - and what version of the OS you are using, as well as some information on your setup - like any external drives, I am at a loss to offer up any ideas on what happened.

As are 95% of us, the other 5% will guess...

jmccl Loc: Western Shore of Utah Lake

fredpnm wrote:

Another excellent reason not to leave your computer on overnight.

Since we have no information on what kind of computer - PC or Mac - and what version of the OS you are using, as well as some information on your setup - like any external drives, I am at a loss to offer up any ideas on what happened.

Yeh, I'm a dufus. It's Win 10. Even the recycle bin is empty. The base start-up screen used to be a colorful feather, now it is a window with the light shining through. Fair warning to rest of the group, turn computer off at night.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I know Win 11 shows a different picture on start-up/wake-up while asking for the password. Windows even wants to know if I like it (top right). I haven't looked for where that setting is located as it really doesn't bother me.
I don't know if 10 does that, never had 10...

Have you used Explorer to view folder contents on C:?

hannaco Loc: People's Republic of California

Have you tried going to a prior restore point?

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

jmccl wrote:

Overnight my computer did a restart and when I opened it this morning the normal screen that I see is totally different from yesterday. Also, all my files are missing, documents, pictures, etc empty folders. What did they just do to me???

Check to see if it logged you in as a new user

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

papakatz45 wrote:

Check to see if it logged you in as a new user

That'll do it.
Another user will not have access to different user's stuff.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

[quote=fredpnm]Another excellent reason not to leave your computer on overnight.

I seldom shut down my PC. I do an occasional reboot. I ran an ethernet cable over and around a double slider glass door, along several baseboards and through two walls to be hard wired to my router. Not as susceptible to invasion as a wireless connection. I have my old fashioned ways and I'm stubborn. At 86, I don't have too many fears of impending doom. However, I also have multiple Acronis backups, just "in case"! I have not done nightly shut downs for almost 17 years.
Mark