Lost everything

While watching and following the directions on a youtube video on how to clean up my Windows XP 32-bit, I lost every file I had over 15 years worth. Is there anyway I can get them back? I am a 71 year old great grandma and not to techy. Any hope? Thanks,
Grambo

 

https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva/download

you can try this recuva program, but you should do it before any files you have get overwritten. and you should see if your files are in the recycle bin.

 

Dear Grandma, next time download CCLEANER FREE rather than that video https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/download/standard this will clean your Computer no viruses no adware

 

I have Malwarebytes, do I need this too?

 

malwarebytes will remove malware and some other infections

CCleaner will remove temporary files , just do not use the registry cleaner part unless you understand what you are doing, just run the regular cleaner part. and then you should be good, run ccleaner after getting off the internet

run malwarebytes at least once a week

and you should use an antivirus that still supports xp, and have a daily scan run. you can use Avast or 360 Total security by qihoo.

 

I installed cccleaner, and Avast. Thanks for your help Elizabeth.

 

you are welcome.

 

There are various file recovery apps:
https://www.wikihow.com/Restore-Deleted-Files-in-Windows-XP
https://geekgirls.com/2010/02/recovering-deleted-files/
https://fossbytes.com/top-best-free-data-recovery-software-2016/
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/categories/data_recovery_233b.html