PC crashed out of nowhere now all my files are gone

Unexpected PC Crash: How to Recover Files and Diagnose Hard Drive Issues

Experiencing a sudden system crash can be a distressing experience, especially when important files seem to vanish without explanation. This article explores common causes behind sudden computer shutdowns, methods for troubleshooting these issues, and practical steps to recover your data, including insights into potential hardware faults.

Understanding the Incident

Recently, a user reported that while engaging in a call with a friend on their Windows 10 PC, the system unexpectedly restarted. Following this restart, the user encountered critical issues: File Explorer was missing, and access to personal files appeared compromised. Despite multiple restart attempts and routine troubleshooting steps—such as checking the Recycle Bin, restoring deleted files, and running scan and repair commands—the problem persisted. Notably, the user’s hard drive was newly installed a few weeks prior, raising concerns about potential hardware failure.

Diagnosing the Problem

1. System Instability and Unexpected Restarts

Unexpected shutdowns can result from various factors, including software glitches, driver conflicts, or hardware issues such as failing hard drives or power supply problems. In this case, since the system rebooted randomly during a call, it’s prudent to consider hardware stability as a possible culprit.

1. Missing Files and File Explorer Issues

The disappearance of File Explorer and inaccessible files may be symptomatic of file system corruption, drive errors, or misconfigured system settings. Interestingly, checking storage settings revealed that files still reside on the drive but are not displaying properly—indicating potential mounting issues or corrupted directory structures.

1. Recovery Attempts

The user attempted multiple standard procedures:

• Checking Recycle Bin and restoring files

• Running system scans and repair commands

• Restarting the system multiple times

Eventually, a third-party file management application from the Microsoft Store allowed partial access to files, particularly in the Downloads folder. However, folders such as Documents, Videos, and Pictures remained inaccessible, suggesting partial data corruption or partition recognition issues.

Steps to Recover Files and Diagnose Hardware

1. Verify Drive Health

2. Use built-in Windows tools like ‘CHKDSK’:

3. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run: chkdsk /f /r C:

4. Utilize third-party disk health monitoring tools (e.g., CrystalDiskInfo) to assess drive SMART status.

5. Access Files with Alternative Methods

6. Use Windows File History or previous versions if enabled:

7. Right-click the affected folder and select ‘Restore previous versions.’

8. Use dedicated