Illustrator files disappeared after installing new version / unistalling old version of illustrator

[#1]

Can someone please help!? I recently installed the newest version of illustrator.  Everything was working ok...for some reason though, when I did the update...I now had two versions of Illustrator on my computer.  Everything was working fine...UNTIL I decided to uninstall the older version of Illustrator.  Cause why would I need two version on my computer, right??

As soon as I unistalled the old version, All my Illustrator files on my computer disapeared!!!  They are nowhere to be found on my computer!! ALSO...if I try to save a file in .ai format it will not show up on my computer!! WTH....BUT...if I save as a pdf or other format, THEN it does show up on my computer??? 

Can someone please help to shed some light on this issue...it is really strange and I am worried all my ai files have been vaporized into thin air.

thank for your time!

Joseph

[#2]

Can someone please help!? I recently installed the newest version of illustrator.  Everything was working ok...for some reason though, when I did the update...I now had two versions of Illustrator on my computer.  Everything was working fine...UNTIL I decided to uninstall the older version of Illustrator.  Cause why would I need two version on my computer, right??

As soon as I unistalled the old version, All my Illustrator files on my computer disapeared!!!  They are nowhere to be found on my computer!! ALSO...if I try to save a file in .ai format it will not show up on my computer!! WTH....BUT...if I save as a pdf or other format, THEN it does show up on my computer??? 

Can someone please help to shed some light on this issue...it is really strange and I am worried all my ai files have been vaporized into thin air.

thank for your time!

Joseph

[#3]

Where did you save those files? They should not get deleted when you delete the old version. Did you also update the system? Recent Mac OS updates could indeed erase files.

About saving those files: the most recent version 24.0.1 should correct that.

[#4]

I have many illustrator files saved on computer(which is a PC / using windows 10). I did not do any recent updates on my PC.  Anywhere I go to look for an .ai file, they are NOWHERE to be found.  Not in a folders, desktop, nowhere:( 

Yes, the version 24.0.1 is the version I just installed.  I tried reinstalling the old version and restarting my computer...still no files.  

[#5]

Hi. Maybe the .ai files were linked with the Illustrator version that you removed and now you can see the icon of the correct file. You can try making the associate of the .ai extension with the Illustrator version that you keep. Or remove that version and reinstall again.

[#6]

You shouldn’t need to search. Exactly where were you saving the files? Look there. If you don’t know where you’re saving you’re sure to lose stuff. 

[#7]

I wouldn’t need to search if there were any files where they were before: desktop, in folders, etc. I’m talking about 100’s of files throughout my computer. There are no .ai files ANYWHERE.
Also did you read the part where I stayed I ALSO CAN’T SAVE ANYTHING as an .ai file? I can save as .ai, but it doesn’t show up where I save it! The files I save only appear if I save them as pdf or eps. ITS SO STRANGE:/

Sent from my iPhone

[#8]

Did you use the uninstaller from Adobe, like "Uninstall Adobe Illustrator 2019" or another utility?

Did you contact Adobe support?

[#9 · Accepted solution]

I contacted support.  They fixed the problem by taking over my computer.  They were very quick and helpful!

So somehow my illustrator files were hiding because of a setting that converted my .ai files to appear as photoshop files.  BUT, I what's wierd is the files didn't even appear as photoshop files. They just dissapeared.

The tech support was able to identify the problem right away and adjust the settings.  Thank goodness for adobe support!

[#10]

This is strange indeed. I suggest this idea. Make a new folder. Save a big AI file to it. Do you see the file? Ok, now do a Get Info on the folder. What size does it show? 0, or a respectable size including the (invisible) AI File?

[#11]

I contacted support.  They fixed the problem by taking over my computer.  They were very quick and helpful!

So somehow my illustrator files were hiding because of a setting that converted my .ai files to appear as photoshop files.  BUT, what's wierd is the files didn't even appear as photoshop files. They just dissapeared.

The tech support was able to identify the problem right away and adjust the settings.  Thank goodness for adobe support!