Or at least the hard drive? That folder is used by office exclusively for mail merge and odbc connections. Did you create this file and store it there, or was it created for you?

Maybe I'm wrong (I'm not using a Windows computer at the moment) but doesn't Windows now have the ability to search within a file? So, I think, you could search for any of the names contained in the missing file.

I searched everywhere I could think of to search...every alumni file I had came up but not the addresses. I've been at it for two days....I thought, "It must be there somewhere." So...this morning, I took it back into the shop. I now have my trusty ol laptop fired up. I went from XP to Windows 10 on this laptop also and that file came along. So...I "do" have that information on this computer. What a relief! Now...I'm wondering if that file could be transferred from my laptop to my new desktop. I'll wait and see if the tech and recover it first. The reason I didn't check the laptop sooner was that it was in the shop for some repairs until today....it has been a lifesaver more than once.

Thank you all again for your answers. Now...I have to learn a new operating system...I loved XP

Good to hear maybee. If the file is still there on the old pc, then you can move it over for sure. Easiest way is to se a usb themb drive. Copy the file to the usb drive and then move the thumb drive to your new pc and then copy it to the new pc. Alternatively, if the file is small enough, email it to yourself and save it on the new PC.

last note here, if you dont already have a backup storage drive, definitely look at getting one. You can keep it simple and use an external usb drive that you can store in another location such as a safe or safety deposit box. Just plug it in peridocally to take a backup. Or, have your installer add another hard drive to your desktop to have it used only to backup data. This way, if your current pc or hardware goes to crap, you have your backed up data that you can get with little effort. Either item is relatively inexpensive and very cheap insurance.

I use an external backup but the techs never seem to want to use it...I might ask them how they prefer I back up my computer....I use the settings on my external drive and none of them like that.

Good for you in having one. Its likely that your file is then also on the external drive. You can check the drive just by plugging it into the new pc. If the file isnt there, change your settings so it backs up that folder on the new pc too as its obviously important to you. I wouldnt expect your tech to use your external drive for tranferring data, but if your techs aren’t wanting to use your external drive for the purpose of regular backups your files, it seems to me like its time for a new tech, or at least an understanding if they have a good reason of why they choose not to use it?

If the hard drives(s) in the old computer are good, these can be removed and connected to the new computer as external drives. An adapter is needed for connection through a USB port. If your new computer is a desk top and you can open the box without voiding the warranty, it may be possible to cable the old drives to the mother board. In addition to the data cable, the external drive needs a power cable as well. What ever the case, look for a "master" jumper on the old drive. If one is present, remove it or put in the parked position. We don't want to confuse your new operating system about which drive is the boot drive.