| "P1015" <
[email protected]>
| Message | I deleted a user account that had no purpose on my computer but
| I didn't realize it contained very important documents. When I
| deleted the user account it asked if i wanted to keep the files
| so I didnt think there would be a problem. Now, my files are
| gone HELP PLEASE
When you click the button labeled "Keep Files" Windows
automatically saves the contents of the users Desktop and "My
Documents" folder to a new folder on your Desktop. The folder
will be named using the deleted users' account. Open that folder
to view the files that Windows saved.
To troubleshoot your problem I used the following three methods
to delete a "Test" user.
The first method I used is explained in the Windows XP
Help and Support Center Help topic titled: "To delete a user
profile" (using Control Panel | System | Advanced tab | User
Profiles Settings button). I did not receive a message asking me
if I wanted to Keep Files - so it appears that this is not the
method you used.
The second method I used is explained in the Windows XP
Help and Support Center Help topic titled: "To delete a user
account" (using Computer Management | Local Users and
Groups | Users). I did not receive a message asking me if I
wanted to Keep Files - so it appears that this is not the method
you used.
The third method I used is explained in KB313877 (Control
Panel | User Accounts | Delete the account hyperlink). Using
this method I had the option to "Keep Files". To quote the
Heading and Paragraph above the "Keep Files" option button:
Do You want to keep Test's files?
Before you delete Test's account, Windows can
automatically save the contents of Test's desktop
and "My Documents" folder to a new folder called
"Test" on your desktop. However, Windows cannot
save Test's e-mail message, Internet favorites, and
other settings.
So... If the option to "Keep Files" did not save the "very
important documents", restore the "very important documents" from
your most recent backup set.
For more information about backing up and restoring files and
folders search the Windows XP Professional Help and Support
Center for the following phrases and read topics by those titles:
Backing up files and folders
Restoring files and folders
Also see:
KB308422 - HOW TO: Use Backup to Back Up Files and
Folders on Your Computer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?Product=winxp&scid=kb;en-us;308422
And if your Operating System is Windows XP Home
Edition see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
KB302894 - HOW TO: Install Backup from the CD-ROM in
Windows XP Home Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?Product=winxp&scid=kb;en-us;302894
KB311246 - VALUEADD and SUPPORT Folders Are
Not Included on OEM CD-ROMs
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?Product=winxp&scid=kb;en-us;311246