Lost all my desktop .doc files - where are the backup's or temp .doc files located?!?!?

[David De]

I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden, my .doc's files are
missing from my desktop (these are not shortcuts, but actual .doc
files)

I tried a SYSTEM RESTORE to earlier point today BUT the missing
desktop .doc's are not still there. The shortcut's came back, but
the .jpgs and .doc's DID NOT.

I went into CCcleaner and found some temp files called a doc.LNK file
in my temp folder, but I am not sure how to locate THIS FILE because
it doesn't come up with windows explorer (yes, I have the explorer
option to show system files turned on.)

I don't want to start up WORD in case in writes over the last temp
files. The last .doc I used was today in Word. Is there a place
where it would keep a backup of the file?
My last backup of the drive was about 1 week ago and I have been
writing this report (doc) since then, I don't want to lose 7 days
worth of work if I can help it.

 

[DL]

System Restore restores settings not data

Try a search fror *.doc to include hidden files.

The 'Desktop' is a folder within Documents &
Settings\'username'\....grouping, a hidden set off folders.

Storing docs on the desktop is niether the default place or reccomended.
Word doesnt create a backup copy unless you have set it to do so, under the
Options menu, where you can also amend File locations