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Tools like Stellar Data Recovery or Photorec work well on APFS drives. They scan the raw disk and try to rebuild deleted files.
Any specific tool?
Happens more than you think. Next step: stop using that drive immediately. If possible, don’t install anything on it. Use another Mac or external drive to run recovery software.
No backup… I don’t know what I was thinking….
Depends on how much new data got written. First, check the Time Machine backup if you have it on. That’s the cleanest restore..
So is it recoverable or not?
That’s the risky part. On macOS, once Trash is emptied, the data isn’t instantly gone, it’s just marked as free space. But the more you use the Mac, the higher the chance it gets overwritten.
Okay, don’t panic, first question…. have you used the Mac after deleting it?
I deleted an important folder from my Mac and also emptied the Trash, so now I can’t find it anywhere. I’ve used the Mac a bit after that (browsing, some downloads), so I’m worried I might’ve overwritten the data. I don’t have a Time Machine backup either. Is there still a realistic chance to recover the files at this point? What’s the safest way to approach this without making things worse?
Exactly, and that’s why it’s trending. It’s not just another background patch — it actually has several visible changes that people are noticing and discussing.
Good point. I’d also suggest checking whether the BitLocker key is saved in the Microsoft account or with IT admin if it’s a work device. This kind of update issue is a reminder to back up regularly and not rely on one recovery path.
<span style=”color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;” data-sheets-root=”1″>I’ve also seen discussion around File Explorer improvements and support for higher refresh rate displays. Those are the kinds of changes that make an update feel more relevant day to day.</span>
Smart App Control is another one people keep mentioning. Being able to turn it on or off without reinstalling Windows makes it much more practical.
This doesn’t seem like a hardware problem at all—it’s more likely a software or system-level conflict. Since the issue came back even after a fresh install, especially when installing things like Adobe Creative Cloud and earlier with WSL, it suggests something is interfering with how Windows boots. Both of these can make deep changes to the system, like adding drivers or enabling virtualization features, and if those don’t play nicely together, Windows can fail to start altogether. The safest way to avoid this is to make sure all drivers and BIOS updates from Dell are installed first, avoid enabling virtualization features until everything is stable, and install major software step by step while creating restore points along the way. In short, it’s not your laptop failing—it’s Windows getting tripped up by a conflict during startup.