Latest update wiped my HP 22 All In One Desktop

[WarthogKT]

Howdy folks. First off: I am a computer idiot, Books for Dummies gave up on me. So, please be gentle. This is the situation. My HP 22 All In One auto updated the windows update on Sept. 16 on its own (like normal).  It immediately started not connecting and running really slow. I ran McAfee antivirus plus, windows antivirus,Avira  and Malwarebytes. . Nothing showed up but, the computer began not connecting and running extremely slow. I checked the device manager and another location that my research lead me to view all activities on the computer. It stated that there were A LOT OF ERRORS (connections, time outs, visitors,etc). I was running Windows 10 but,It got wiped. Windows8 is what it went back too. I tried to to update it back to windows 10. . The computer states that it did update to 21h. It states that there are no more updates available. I don't have any of my windows apps ,google or HP apps. I have tried downloading troubleshooters and installation tools to help out but, they can't find any issues. I tried taking it back to original but, I'm afraid that that may mess it up worse. I even tried to bump it back to it's latest back-up. That was a no-go also. Windows 10 Home doesnt support bitlocker which creates an  encryption code to access it's privacy/security stuff. I finally got a couple of HP programs to download but, they are not working or they are not recognizing my computer. The HP Support Assistant was able to give me a list of drivers that my computer sold with but, nothing more. I am assuming that if I can find out what is actually installed (more that just a titled folder that contains nothing), I can install what is missing,repair what is there , and get it going again. Most of my files, apps,saved bookmarks,and anything that I found interesting or had stored for safety (from my military career and time between then and now) are gone. I am sorry for the book but, figured that y'all need as much info I can give. I have worked on this for 3 days straight. Took a break to clear my head and now, I am back at it. Please help.

Kenneth Taylor

[WAWood]

@WarthogKT 

First, let's get some terms straight.  You computer did not get WIPED.  Folks say this all the time with no real idea of what it means.  Your PC got reset -- not the same.

But a reset overwrites all the previous accounts, settings, data, and applications.  So, it looks like everything is gone -- when it is not.

You have to use another PC and some special software if you want to recover any data from the drive -- and even then, you will only be able to recover personal data files.

Since the PC reset to Win8x, that means HP does not have any recovery media you can use to restore Win10 to it.  You would have to restore Win8 and redo the Win10 upgrade -- which is a lot of work.

So, you need to let me know which of these you want to attempt: data recovery or Win8 reinstall.

[WarthogKT]

I APPRECIATE your quick response. Thank you. Especially for understanding that when I stated that I am a computer idiot, I wasn't exaggerating. As for my comment about wiping my system and everything being gone,I meant that exactly as stated. I have been able to reinstall parts of win 10 21h??. The problem is that there is A LOT of it that is missing and I can't seem to find the parts that are missing because the updater isn't finding anything. I was able to go through the support assistant and get a list of all the drivers that my computer sold with but, I don't have a clue as to what I am looking at. Which are supposed to be there? Which are old? Which are going to conflict with others that get added later? I don't have a clue and it is doing nothing but confusing me even more. I pick up on this stuff rather quickly but, that is when I have someone willing to be somewhat patient. The thing that really is hard to understand is how you explained that what I stated about it being wiped when ALL OF MY FOLDERS ,PICTURES,MUSIC,IMPORTANT PAPERWORK FROM PAST JOBS AND RELATIONS are completely empty. This includes what I was told would be stored in the cloud or whatever it is. I had my brother assist me in trying to find it. Any of it. Everything is gone. It didn't even recognize my email account(sign in info) or passwords. My brother even tried going through his account somehow to get to mine from his computer. But, you did state that NOT EVERYTHING HASNT BEEN LOST.THERE IS JUST A LOT TO DO TO GET AT IT. Something similar to that. You also stated that it is a one or the other situation. If I am understanding that correctly ,that means I get the computer back or I get the basic personal info back. Oh, you were also correct when you stated that I had been reset . Yes, My computer did get reset. Everything that took place on that computer and associated with it was reset back to when it didn't exist. I apologize. I truelly do. After all, you offered to help. Thank you. I am just very frustrated because I CAN'T FIX THIS ONE WITHOUT DEPENDING ON SOMEONE ELSE. Without going into details, The last time that I was able to unconditionally depend on anyone to have my back like I would theirs' was the day that I was put  out of the military medically. Enough about that. I would definitely appreciate you or anyone that could assist with this issue. I do have things from my past reinstalled on my computer that family has been able to help me with . I just don't know the difference between old empty files and others until I open them. They have jumbled up throughout the system. I will try to keep the phone near by but, be aware that I do have a lot going on today,Monday, and VA Hospital appointments on Tuesday. Later and thank you again,

Kenneth Taylor

[WAWood]

@WarthogKT 

WOW -- that was a LOT to read through ... so let me try to provide some details ...

WIPING is different from RESETTING in one way -- with WIPING, the data is overwritten with ones and zeroes. The intent of WIPING is to make the data completely unrecoverable -- which it does.  With RESETTING, the data is erased and the drive reformatted.  While this hides the files and folders from Windows, with data recovery apps, you can often get most if not all of the data back.  I have done this more times than I care to count.

But data recovery requires you to do the following:

1) remove the drive from the PC

2) Connect the drive to a working PC

3) Install data recovery software on the working PC

4) Run the data recovery software -- usually for HOURS, for it to hunt down and find all the files and folders it can

5) When it is done, retrieve the files and folders you want and restore them to another drive

In order for this to have any chance of working, you need to STOP using the affected drive because every usage risks overwriting the files and folders you want to recover.

Reinstalling an OS will only make this WORSE, for the same reason -- it overwrites stuff.

Your best bet for recovering data now is to do the following:
1) Download and install this utility on a working PC
https://www.minitool.com/data-recovery-software/free-for-windows.html

2) Connect the old drive, the one with the files and folders you want to recover, to the working PC
3) Connect something to that PC to hold the recovered files
4) Run the data recovery utility to see what can be retrieved from the old drive.

If that tool does not find what you need, an alternative is Recuva http://www.piriform.com/recuva

And, if that does not work well, the best tool out there is this one, but only the demo version is free https://www.runtime.org/data-recovery-software.htm