Fences 3 User Error

from Stardock Forums

I accidentally deleted a Fence on my desktop labeled “DESKTOP,” along with the included folders.  Those folders were almost ALL of the folders on my PC.  They contained my most current, critical work.

I watched the content deletion process, so I know they’re not “hidden.”  I realized the repercussions too late, and now must restore those folders quickly if possible.

FORTUNATELY, I have Fences set to "Automatically Take Daily Snapshots."  The one I need IS saved.

Question(s):

  • If I restore that snapshot, will all Fences, folders, and documents return intact?
  • Or are snapshots just “screenshots” of a previous layout, minus the real content?  

Important to know before I hit the RESTORE button.

Thanks for your guidance!

fences
8,104 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having issues.

If you do have a snapshot that you like it should be OK to restore it.

( also ) you always have the option to do a Windows System Restore 

back to when your fences were right ....

** also Backing Up Fences https://forums.stardock.com/486084/fences-support-faq#backupsnapshots

In the future you should right-click on your desktop go to view

and scroll down to fences ( Lock Fences ) and add a check mark.

When locked you won't be able to delete a fence , you would have

to go back and uncheck lock fences to delete a fence.

 


AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you, AZDude.

The Snapshot I selected, when previewed, looks perfect ... everything's included.

However, when I did the Restore, only the deleted Fence returned ... empty. No folders were included.

I checked the Backup folder on my C drive, following this path: C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Stardock\Fences\Backups. It contains both .png and .xml files for each Daily Snapshot.

Do I need to do something with the .xml file instead to replace my data? Sounds like the Layout Snapshots should be all-inclusive, but not working that way in my case.

Appreciate your continued assistance and other suggestions you can offer. Thanks.

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Let me check more with support .

I have forwarded your report to the Stardock support team for their review and recommendations.

Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates.

We really do appreciate your feedback, thanks.

 

AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. But from reading your initial post, it look like you have deleted all those folders and files in it. Not really sure what you have in there. The best option if it still available, recover/restore from Recycle Bin. If those files is just a shortcut files, you need to manually recreate those shortcut.

Need to understand that, restore backup Fences Layout snapshot only work if all those files and folders are physically still located in your desktop directory. (C:\Users\Username\Desktop\).

Next option to recover is to run those File recovery application.

Thanks

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks, Basj. Correct ... folders and files were deleted. Lots of vital content in each one.

For whatever reason, many of the folders/files aren't in the Recycle Bin either, though I've not emptied that in a couple of weeks (long before this problem arose). So I don't know where they've gone...

Finally, I've found that File Recovery hasn't been running, at least not consistently. I have older backups stored externally, but none too recent on this PC. So yet another challenge to confront...

I will call a contact at Microsoft tomorrow and see if he has other ideas or solutions.

Appreciate your help.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

I have been in your situation before. Best thing to do is get those recovery software and do it fast before those deleted files get overwritten.Here a list of good recovery files plus some free ones too.

https://www.techradar.com/sg/best/best-data-recovery-software

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Great, glad to help. Hope you get it all back.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.