VScode lost project

Question

Hi,

Posting for my daughter. She had a VScode project she's been working on for weeks. She had to submit using a specific naming convention, but instead of saving it to a new name from within vscode, she changed the filename via file properties from the desktop where it was saved. Apparently the file then vanished. I can't find it using File Explorer search.

I have attempted to find it within VScode using ctrl-shift-P then Local History: Find Entry to Restore. It appears to have record of the project from a month ago in the Downloads directory, so I think she must have originally worked on it there then later moved it to Desktop. There is no record of her work more recently when it was in the Desktop location.

Anything else to try?

Thanks in desperation

Answer 1

Hi @Muddy, 

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A! 

Have you checked the Recycle Bin if the file was accidentally deleted? 

Please check if your VS Code is move to _ folder (C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\_).

If so, you can try to reinstall the VS Code and check that the project is recovered properly. 

Besides, you can see the similar issue and try the Filipe’s script to find it. 

Sincerely,

Anna

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Answer 2

These could be helpful:

1. Check the Recycle Bin: If the file was accidentally deleted, it might be in the Recycle Bin. You can restore it from there.
2. Use File History: If File History was enabled on your system, you might be able to recover a previous version of the file. Right-click on the folder where the file was located, select "Properties," and then go to the "Previous Versions" tab to see if there are any available versions to restore.
3. Search the Entire Drive: Sometimes, a file may not show up in a specific folder search if it has been moved. Use the search function in File Explorer to search the entire drive. Type the original file name or the new name you assigned to it in the search box. Also, try different name in case she misspelled the name when renaming the file.
4. Check for Hidden Files: The file might have become hidden. To view hidden files, open File Explorer, go to the "View" tab, and make sure "Hidden items" is checked. Repeat step 3 with Hidden items checked.
5. Use a Data Recovery Tool: A data recovery tool could also be helpful. Never used one before, but there be several free and paid data recovery tools available that can scan your drive for deleted files, such as Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill.
6. Check Cloud Sync Folders: If the project was stored in a folder that syncs with a cloud service (like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox), check the cloud service's trash or file history for a copy of the file.
7. Check Other User Accounts: If multiple user accounts are on the computer, ensure that the file wasn't moved to another user's desktop or documents folder.
8. Command Prompt Search: Sometimes, using the command prompt can reveal files that aren't showing up in File Explorer. Open Command Prompt and use the dir command to search for the file, e.g., dir /s /b *filename*.*.

Best of luck with recovering the file!