I recently took my Surface Book to Staples for their free PC check because it was running slow. The customer service was not great, but that's another issue. When I picked it up the next day, they didn't clearly explain what they did to it. Now, when I turn it on, all my recently downloaded files are missing. I tried a system restore to the day I took it in, but it didn't recover everything. Does anyone have suggestions on what I can do to retrieve my lost files?
4 Answers
Just a heads up—don’t rely on Staples for PC repairs in the future. They typically just do a basic cleanup and may not handle your files carefully. If you really need those files back, you could look into professional file recovery services, but be prepared for that to be pricey.
It’s rough to lose files, especially after trusting a service like that. If the files aren’t in the trash, chances are they’re gone. If you have backups, restoring from there is ideal. If you don't, make sure to set up a backup system for the future to avoid this scenario.
Yeah, it sounds like they just did some standard cleanup, probably deleting temporary files, including downloads. You could try a file recovery tool like Recuva, but results can be hit or miss. Just be cautious in the future about where you take your PC for servicing; try to find a local shop that specializes in these kinds of repairs.
Honestly, it’s likely that Staples didn’t do anything super comprehensive. System restore doesn't bring back deleted files from your standard folders. If they’re not in your recycle bin, your best bet is to try a recovery tool or just re-download what you can. And definitely consider backing your files up regularly moving forward!

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