Lost all my data due to iCloud windows application.

So, i installed icloud on my windows PC (though microsoft store). Logged in using my apple id. It prompted me to sync icloud Drive in c-drive, but i changed the location to my d-drive, which had about 200GB worth of files. It started to sync, but i stopped it in between cause of some internet issues. I went back to my d- drive to find out that it's completely wiped. Would appreciate any help as there were some important files on the drive that needs to be recovered.

Windows

Posted on Oct 28, 2023 06:11 AM

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Posted on Oct 28, 2023 05:55 PM

I'm trying to get a response to my support request on this same issue, too. Although, I didn't set it to synch with anything, it just automatically wiped all my user files from the main OS C: drive of my windows based laptop once installed and I'd logged in. So no internet issues involved in my case. From what I can see, recovery software indicates the user files and folder structure are, in theory, still there but I've retrieved very few viable files so far. They likely need repair. It didn't impact any system file areas, so computer runs normally otherwise.


If your drive is SSD, disable TRIM function immediately, and avoid doing anything that could cause your data to be overwritten including updates or continuing to work on the drive. I believe the iCloud app changed the file and folder markers to 'deleted' to permit overwrites, and the TRIM function can quickly cause loss of the data after this. You may need to take different steps for a non-SSD drive, so do look this up.


I'm truly shocked by this app from Apple. A warning it would do this, and seeking confirmation before doing so, was the least it could do.



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Oct 28, 2023 05:55 PM in response to ashokkumartammineni

I'm trying to get a response to my support request on this same issue, too. Although, I didn't set it to synch with anything, it just automatically wiped all my user files from the main OS C: drive of my windows based laptop once installed and I'd logged in. So no internet issues involved in my case. From what I can see, recovery software indicates the user files and folder structure are, in theory, still there but I've retrieved very few viable files so far. They likely need repair. It didn't impact any system file areas, so computer runs normally otherwise.


If your drive is SSD, disable TRIM function immediately, and avoid doing anything that could cause your data to be overwritten including updates or continuing to work on the drive. I believe the iCloud app changed the file and folder markers to 'deleted' to permit overwrites, and the TRIM function can quickly cause loss of the data after this. You may need to take different steps for a non-SSD drive, so do look this up.


I'm truly shocked by this app from Apple. A warning it would do this, and seeking confirmation before doing so, was the least it could do.



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Lost all my data due to iCloud windows application.

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