Forum Discussion
Find desktop files in full Windows 11 crash
So I have a big Windows 11 crash.
I tried everything, impossible to get into the machine whatever the method used.
- restoration
- modification of elements at startup
- repair integrated into windows
- boot on DVD, boot on key
- etc
Even win11 repair via installation DVD does not work.
I get an error message telling me that I cannot install Windows on the dedicated partition.
So I give up, I've already wasted a lot of time.
I got my Windows version back in cmd and as a last resort I will do a complete reinstallation via DVD or return to factory configuration.
So I entered the machine in a Linux environment by booting from a key, and I was able to save the 800GB of files from one of the partitions to external HDDs.
But...
The only data I can't recover is that which was on the desktop; on the OS partition therefore.
So yes normally we don't save anything important on the desktop, except that for convenience I have three/four small files which are there permanently... (in .txt and in .odt)
Many times I figured I'd move them and create a shortcut, but I didn't...
- As the machine does not start under Windows environment, I do not access the desktop.
- and on linux I follow the path where the folder is normally located, but it's not there...
C: /Users/name/
I tried c:/Users/public
I also tried in C:/users/name/documents
He's not there either
I displayed the hidden folders. Nothing.
Can this file be found elsewhere?
Or the fact that Windows cannot start prevents you from finding the desktop folder and its files?
I did a search on the name of one of the files, and I can't find it either.
I just see it appear vaguely in a list of files that Linux shows me as recently opened: but these are only traces I have the impression, I don't have a physical file behind it. It's a sort of temporary file.
I don't know if you can find anything in cmd?
Or if anyone has an idea to get their hands on it or tell me it's definitely dead and I won't be able to find these files without Windows booting?
Thank you so much!