Why is the desktop empty after every update, and why are saved files and settings gone?

I'm at a loss! It has already happened 3 times that on my hp laptop, bought in August 2020, after a normal Windows update, the desktop is empty except for the basic setting. Only Libre Office always survives, all other shortcuts are gone. Right mouse button → display → desktop icons does not solve the problem. Interestingly, the contents of the trash remain untouched. Once I found the desktop files in a folder somewhere, the other two times they were nowhere to be found.

I also always have to make all the basic settings again, e.g. B. Re-register my Office applications, create new favorites in the browser, etc.

That never happens to me on the desktop computer. Can anyone tell me why this could be?

Maybe you are installing the wrong version of the programs

Did you get a message that Windows started in Safe Mode?

Or:

Do you have any * whatever * cleaning software installed? The error pattern would also match the behavior of such software.

As an alternative, I can recommend a bare reinstallation. Since Windows 10, you can get the ISO files very easily from Microsoft itself.

No, neither nor. If nothing else helps, the only option is to reinstall.

I'm at a loss! It has already happened 3 times that on my hp laptop, bought in August 2020, after a normal Windows update, the desktop is empty except for the basic setting.

Whatever you are doing: It is guaranteed not to be an update.
At least on the assumption that neither HP nor you as a user have bent anything criminally on the Windows system.

Hm, but everything is gone, programs, pictures and other things…

Remember to always make a backup of the system disk beforehand.
So including all partitions - mainly because of the system recovery partition, where drivers etc. Are stored.

It always happens right after restarting Windows updates…

I will! At the moment I make a backup of EVERYTHING anyway before I install the updates…

It's hard to say - HP often throws tons of its own "diagnostic and support programs" onto the computer with preinstalled systems.
Only the Creator knows what they really do. 😉

On the other hand, something like this can also be due to malware - or to installed programs that ensure that the system always remains at a defined level… But you should know about the latter, as Microsoft does not include such software by default.
There are a couple of options.

I would actually rather not do it. I'm more inclined to only back up the user folder (C → Users → XYZ), delete all partitions of the internal disk and then install a pure Windows 10 x64. I then get the latest version of the required drivers from the notebook manufacturer's website and, for a possibly dedicated graphics card, from Nvidia or AMD directly (usually much more up-to-date).

I would actually rather not do it.

This is what all danger seekers say until they have the first severe data loss (even if it is only the original driver) and hit it with "Mimimi". 🤷♂️
In principle I don't know whether you are doing a backup or not - I just don't have any empathy or compassion for people who, better knowing, don't do it. 🤷♂️

Look + in the directory C: \ Users \ whether your user profile is there several times and that has not been logged in with a temporary profile.

You probably haven't read sentences 2 and 3, but your allegations are very nice - I'm very happy to hear.

Yes, I have. Think your part. 🤷🏼♂️

I actually found my old things there - even those that could no longer be found using the search function - thank you!

Can you somehow prevent this in the future by changing an attitude?

Actually, it shouldn't happen at all, how exactly are the folders named in C: \ Users \?
If it happens really often, try repairing Windows with the following guide: https://www.heise.de/...08457.html

I would particularly recommend the two steps described there:

Repair corrupt Windows system files

And repair Windows 10 via upgrade installation

So I usually find my files under C: \ Users \ User \ Desktop, sometimes also under \ Users \ TEMP \ Desktop.

The search function has not worked since the last time (you can no longer insert the cursor there), the message symbol at the bottom right and the Windows key or the icon no longer work. I'm slowly wondering if I haven't caught a virus… In any case, thanks for the link, I'll give it a try!