lost files
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The most recent Notepad update lost several very important files, which had been kept current to last week. How can I recover those files?
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Did you have the files saved? If so, do those files still exist where you saved them? Are those up to date? If not, are you sure you actually saved them?
If you were relying on Notepad++ to automatically save them, the “edited files” versions are found usually in
%AppData%\Notepad++\backups\, with extra timestamps in the filename. If they no longer exist there, software like Recuva or other file recovery software can sometimes be used to find the missing files. -
@PeterJones said in lost files:
%AppData%\Notepad++\backups\
I never thought I needed to save the Notepad files because everytime I added to them, which was usually several times daily, after which I closed it. When I re-opened Notepad, all of the latest added content was there for all of the several files. I assumed Notepad was automatically saving them.
I tried your %AppData%\Notepad++\backups\ but couldn’t find it on my laptop. The only way I know to search is with Windows Explorer, which doesn’t show a lot of that type of file. A search for Notepad brought up several dozen files with that included, but none were backups. I searched for “backup” and didn’t get anything for Notepad. My real question is why did the update wipe them out? It has never done that before. I may never do another update. -
@Bill-Friday said in lost files:
I never thought I needed to save the Notepad files because everytime I added to them, which was usually several times daily, after which I closed it. When I re-opened Notepad, all of the latest added content was there for all of the several files. I assumed Notepad was automatically saving them.
As you now know, that was a bad decision. With any application and the storing of data, you need to know how it works. Just blind trust in the process is never a good foundation to work with.
If you go to Settings (Notepad++ main menu), then Preferences, then Backup you will likely see “remember current session for next launch” is ticked (this is how Notepad++ shows you those files with the edits you have done every time you start it). You may also have the “Enable session and periodic backup” ticked. If the 2nd option is ticked the field below that will contain a folder location, copy that entire field.
Next open your Windows Explorer and paste that folder location into the Explorer window and press enter. This will likely be your ONLY chance of recovering any data since you never appeared to actually save your original files.
Going forward, you need to understand the process and even consider creating these files as “real” files rather than rely on the backup system which you have just realised has failed you.
If you were to search old posts on this forum you will see plenty of sob stories like yours. The common theme is also the same as yours, failure to understand the process and what it all means to not actually create real files.
Terry
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Thanks Terry very much for the information. I’ll take care of making backups for all going forward. The lost data are mostly irreplaceable. I understand your point about understanding the process, but truthfully the computer is the same type tool for most of us as a pencil or hammer. You learn to use it only as much as needed and no deeper. How the computer works really isn’t of much interest, even at this point. Sad lesson learned.
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The other question remains - why did this update wipe out my old files? It has never done that before when installing updates.
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@Bill-Friday said in lost files:
How the computer works really isn’t of much interest, even at this point.
Then why should I (or anyone else) be interested in helping you then?
why did this update wipe out my old files?
I think the more interesting question is: Why didn’t the earlier updates wipe out your files? But whatever the answer is, continuing to do things “incorrectly”, even if it somehow worked for you in the past will not suddenly work the way you want it to.
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Artie, No, I learned that lesson. Meanwhile I set up a backup folder and instructed Notepad to save the most current version there upon exiting. Not only will it not put one there, it won’t put it into the regular Notebook backup folder either. I did a force save, with some effort which shouldn’t have been that difficult, so the current data are safe. But I may have to look for a new app to keep my ToDoList. This update went too far.
Your comment about my not being particularly interested in how the computer does what it does, but more in having it do what is logical and dependable, is a bit curious in itself. I l appreciate Terry’s tone much better. Why should I need to know the depths of its operation? The regular updates come in from people who get paid to know so that I don’t have to. All of my other apps from Office ask me if I want to save the current work, and I do. This one doesn’t ask. And I never had to question that before, for ten years.
It may be of a slight interest for you to know that back in old days, I learned to progam my TI994A in machine language, just for the fun of it. I could blister that slow monitor. I’m past that now. It is just a tool, and (mostly) a very useful one. Thanks
Bill -
@Bill-Friday said in lost files:
Meanwhile I set up a backup folder and instructed Notepad to save the most current version there upon exiting. Not only will it not put one there, it won’t put it into the regular Notebook backup folder either. I did a force save, with some effort which shouldn’t have been that difficult, so the current data are safe.
Please don’t give up too soon on Notepad++ (N++). I think the issue here is that you still don’t understand the process. Might I suggest you have a read of the N++ manual, it’s online. In particular the backup process located here. Part of it states …When you exit Notepad++ with unsaved changes, Notepad++ will not ask you to save changes. It will just keep the periodic backup file, and reload from there rather than from the normal disk location for the file…, this is in regards the "periodic backup (the second tick box I mentioned).
So for you I would suggest when recording data in one of the N++ tabs, you have a real file filling that tab. That means when initially adding text to a N++ tab, immediately save that file as a real file in the location of your choosing. Also have the periodic backup option ticked as well as save session. Now when you add text to this tab you will see a floppy disk icon just below main menu turn blue. This indicates there is data in the tab when has not been saved to the real file. If for some reason the PC suddenly dies or Windows completes a patch cycle and wants to reboot (this can be a source of the problem you experienced) the 2 ticked options give you some semblance of a backup plan (although not 100%, nothing ever is). Upon restarting N++ you should get back the tab with recent edits included. Of course you should consider hitting that floppy disk icon at various times to commit the updates to the real file anyways.
Whilst @artie-finkelstein comments may have sounded a bit harsh, I believe his intention is to say that you do need to learn from this mistake, otherwise it will likely be repeated. As for people getting paid, this is free software. The developer(s) don’t get paid, although I guess they’d welcome donations (see their homepage). The backup process is one which has caught out many users in the past and as I said, it stems from a lack of understanding of how it should work and the benefits and compromises you get by using it. So please do attempt to read the info at the link I provided, it is important. If unsure please ask. The forum members only ask that you put in some effort, but are only too happy to elaborate if you are unsure on some of the content. There are also old posts on this subject in this forum, use the search function and I’m sure over those posts you will glean a lot more information as well.
Terry
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@Terry-R I will make a sincere effort. Thanks, Bill
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Regarding some of the thoughts expressed in this thread, although I won’t quote any directly:
I’ve always felt “bad” to “chide” users into naming their tabs/files with a hard-name in their file system, to protect their data. No program or operating system or computer should ever lose a user’s data. Notepad++ of course should never lose track of data even if a user wants to keep it in “new 1” for a decade or more.
But the truth is, crap happens, and the best defense is to name your files so that they appear as normal files in the operating system’s file viewer (e.g. Explorer) and then have a backup strategy that copies the files to an alternate physical device or location.
