Documents Folder Shows Empty After Windows Update? Fix It Now!

Why is My Documents Folder Empty After Updating Windows?

You're not alone if you find your Documents folder shows empty after updating Windows. This problem happens more often than you might think, especially after major Windows 11 updates. Here are a few common reasons behind the issue:

User folder path changed:

The update might have modified user directory paths, making it seem like your files disappeared.

Corruption during update:

In rare cases, system or disk errors during the update can cause files to appear missing.

Temporary user profile created:

Sometimes, Windows updates can log you into a temporary profile, which doesn’t show your original Documents folder.

Files are hidden:

The update might have changed folder settings, hiding your documents by default.

Documents moved by OneDrive:

If OneDrive is enabled, files may have been synced or moved to the cloud.

6 Ways to Fix the Documents Folder Showing Empty After Windows Update

Luckily, with the right methods, you can locate and restore your files with ease. This section offers 6 effective methods to resolve this issue. Select one of them to restore your important files.

Fix 1. Search Your Files in File Explorer

Before assuming the worst, try searching for your missing files using File Explorer. It’s possible that the Windows update moved your documents to a different location. In many cases, the Documents folder appears empty after a Windows update, but the files are still somewhere on your drive.

Step 1: Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Click on This PC in the left sidebar.

Step 3: In the search box at the top right, type a keyword from a missing file.

Step 4: Wait for the system to complete the search.

Step 5: If you find the file, right-click and select Open file location to see where it’s stored.

Fix 2. Show Hidden Files

Sometimes, your files aren’t actually lost—they’re just hidden. After a Windows update, folder view settings can be reset, causing certain files or folders to become invisible. This is a common reason why the Documents folder appears empty after a Windows update. Fortunately, you can easily show hidden files by adjusting your folder options.

Step 1: Open File Explorer and click on the View tab, then select Options > Change folder and search options.

Step 2: In the Folder Options window, go to the View tab.

Step 3: Under Hidden files and folders, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

Step 4: Click OK to apply the changes. Go back to your Documents folder to check if the missing files have reappeared. 

Fix 3. Recover Missing Files from the Documents Folder Using Software

If you’ve already tried the basic fixes but still can’t locate your files, they may have been accidentally lost due to system glitches or disk errors during the Windows update. In this situation, data recovery software can help. We recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery—a trusted tool that specializes in deep data recovery. It allows you to scan your drives thoroughly and recover deleted or missing files with one click, even after an update-related issue.

Why choose AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery?:

Recover files lost from disk formatting, system crashes, virus attacks, accidental deletion, and more.

User-friendly interface suitable for beginners and advanced users alike.

Supports recovery of various file types, including documents, photos, videos, emails, and more.

Fully compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, and Servers.

If your Documents Folder is empty after updating Windows 11, follow these steps to recover missing files:

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, then select the specific partition or disk where your Documents Folder is stored.

Step 2: Scan the selected disk to locate the lost files. The tool offers two scanning modes: Quick Scan for a faster search, and Deep Scan for a more thorough recovery process.

Step 3: Once the scan is complete, the missing files will be displayed. Select the files you want to recover and click Recover. You can preview the files before recovery to ensure you’re restoring the correct ones.

Step 4: Choose a destination path to save the recovered files. It's recommended to save them to a different location to avoid overwriting any lost data.

Step 5: Wait patiently for this process of recovery to end.

Fix 4. Remove the Temporary Account

Sometimes, after a Windows update, the system may log you into a temporary account instead of your original user profile. When this happens, it can look like your Documents folder is empty after the Windows update, even though your files are still safe under your actual account. You can follow these steps to remove the temporary account:

Step 1: Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings. If you see a message at the top that says: "You are signed in with a temporary profile...", restart your PC and sign in again. This may fix the issue and return you to your normal account, where your documents should be accessible.

Step 2: After restarting, repeat the step above and make sure the Sync your settings is turned on. This helps prevent temporary profile issues in the future.

Step 3: Restart your PC and log in again. If you see the message written, “We can’t sign in to your account”, try signing out and signing in again.

Fix 5. Check the OneDrive Folder

Another common reason your Documents folder appears empty after a Windows update is that OneDrive may have automatically taken over the folder and moved your files to the cloud. This may happen quietly during updates, especially if OneDrive settings were reconfigured. Follow these steps to check if your OneDrive folder:

Step 1: Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Go to C:\Users\username\OneDrive\Documents.

Step 3: Look through the folder to see if your missing files are stored there. If the files are found, you can either keep them in OneDrive or drag them back to your local Documents folder if you prefer local storage. 

Fix 6. Restore Files from Backups

If you had created a backup using Backup and Restore (Windows 7) before updating your system, you can easily recover missing files. This is one of the safest ways to get back your documents if the update caused them to disappear.

Step 1: Type Control Panel in the Windows search bar and open it.

Step 2: Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7) under the System and Security section and select Restore my files.

Step 3: Choose Browse for files to select the specific files you want to recover, then click Next.

Step 4: Choose a destination folder where the recovered files will be saved and click Restore to begin the recovery process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I get my lost files back if I didn’t create a backup?

A: Yes, using data recovery tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, you can scan the drive for lost files and recover them.

Q2: How do I check if I’m using a temporary profile in Windows 11?

A: If your desktop looks different and your Documents folder is empty, open Settings > Accounts, and check your profile. If it says “logged in with a temporary profile,” restart your PC and log in again.

Q3: Will updating Windows delete my files?

A: Generally, no. But system bugs, update errors, or incorrect user configurations can make it seem like files are missing. It is advised to create backups before updating.

Final Words

Seeing your Documents folder empty after a Windows update can be frustrating, but don’t panic. In most cases, your files are still there, just relocated or temporarily hidden. This article has provided 6 practical solutions to help you recover missing files. By following each method step-by-step, you should be able to find and restore your documents with ease and confidence.