How To Find A Missing Folder In Windows 10

It's uncommon, but if you lot cannot observe your files and folders on your Windows xi/x PC, you should be worried. Usually, it happens because you may have moved to another binder and deleted it. But if that'south not the case, it could be because of malware in the binder, and the security software has removed it. In this post, we volition check how to resolve the files and folders that of a sudden disappear in Windows.

Files and folders suddenly disappeared in Windows 11/x

Follow these methods ane by i, and know which one worked for you.

Check Recycle Bin and bear out a Search
Show Hidden files and folders
Check Quarantine Section
Antivirus Configuration
Change Indexing options

Access to Antivirus or security software may need an administrator business relationship.

i] Check Recycle Bin and acquit out a Search

Restore Files Recycle Bin Windows

These two should exist the first arroyo to detect them if yous have accidentally deleted or moved them. Recycle Bin allows you to restore the file almost instantly. Before restoring it, make certain to note the file's location, which is visible in the listing style.

The 2nd all-time method is to search for the binder name or file proper noun or the content within the file. Windows search should be able to find it. Once it appears in the issue, correct-click and open the file location.

two] Show Hidden files and folders

Show Hidden Files Folders

Windows allows y'all to gear up a file or folder hidden from the default view. Yous may have set the missing file or folder every bit hidden and forgotten. So the best way to search for them is to enable this view and look for information technology.

Open File Explorer and click on View > Show > Hidden Items menu. Go to the folder where you lot expected the file to exist, and then cheque if the folder is visible. If you lot can discover the folder and look a little transparent, you can brand information technology visible.

Right-click on the binder and select properties. In the Full general tab, under the Attributes section, uncheck the box next to hidden.

3] Check Quarantine Department

Quarantined Section Security

All Antivirus or security solutions block the file or folder if in that location is a virus or malware inside information technology. It is possible you may have missed a notification about it. It is usually available in the Quarantine section. You lot can e'er restore the file from at that place and mark them as Restored.

4] Antivirus Configuration

Windows Security Exclusions

If you are sure that a file or folder and its content are condom, you lot can add it to the exclusion listing. For example, in Windows Security, Controlled binder access allows adding folders, apps, etc., into the safe list. In that location is too an exclusions department where you can add a file, folders, file types, and programs.

Read: Exe files getting deleted randomly.

five] Change Indexing options

Windows Search works based on indexing. The search will non be instant unless the binder or file is in the index. Similarly, if the file or folder is removed from indexing, Windows volition not find it. To configure it, follow the steps:

Open Windows Settings (Win + I)
Navigate to Privacy & security > Searching Windows
Cheque if any of the known folders are under excluded binder listing.
If yeah, and so click on the bill of fare, and then choose to Remove

Await for some time, and you should be able to find it. If this method doesn't work, y'all can look at two more than settings. Advanced Indexing options and Indexer troubleshooter. Both of them volition help you configure advanced options and resolve whatsoever issues that could exist restricting the search result.

Files and folders suddenly disappeared in Windows 11/10

half-dozen] Enable Desktop Icons

It is possible to keep icons, files, and folders hidden on the Desktop hidden. If you created the file or folder on Desktop using File Explorer and so looked at information technology on the Desktop, you lot may not find it.

Right-click on the Desktop, select View and click on Testify desktop icons. Users hide these files equally they look very abrasive when likewise many. As well, hidden desktop icons wait a lot better when taking a screenshot.

Related: Exe files getting deleted randomly in Windows xi/ten.

Can folders simply disappear?

Normally, no, merely the search index may be corrupted if yous cannot find it. The all-time way to resolve this is by adding the folder to the alphabetize and rebuilding it. Once done, you lot search for the file or folder and open it in File Explorer.

What is File Corruption?

If the file is corrupt because of improper shutdown or unexpected app closure, so the files can likewise disappear. Most applications offer a mode to recover their document, simply information technology may be a partial recovery. If the file is essential, you can use one recovery software to undelete that file.

Privacy Security Indexing Options