Reconnect

[antonyb12396961]

Hi, I have mistakenly clicked  -File-reconnect-All missing files. - As a result all my photos have the question mark top left corner. Is the a way I can get my photos back?

[Greg_S.]

I assume you mean the Find>All Missing Files command. Clicking on this command will only do something if the files are in fact missing.  A file will usually only become missing if you have performed a file management activity (Move, Rename, Delete) using the Operating System or another program, rather than using the Organizer.  So what may you have done to create this situation?

[antonyb12396961]

Hi Greg, thanks for your help. No it was definitely file- reconnect- all missing files. What brought this on was I downloaded a photo and immediately got the question mark ? I understand that means I haven't the original? But I hadn't done anything at this stage. I then wrongly clicked on above mentioned and all my photos now got the ? . I talking of around 2000 plus photos, all of which I had no issues with previously 😳.  Appreciate any help Greg.Greg,

[Greg_S.]

Sorry, I never use the File>Reconnect option and forgot that it is in the File menu.  It doesn't change my response.  Both menu commands first search for all missing files.  So as far as Elements is concerned, your files are missing and you need to find where they are stored on your computer.  So, let me ask you a few questions:

What OS and version of Elements are you using?

@antonyb12396961 said: What brought this on was I downloaded a photo and immediately got the question mark ? I understand that means I haven't the original?

Where and how did you download this photo from and to?

The Elements Organizer is simply a catalog of photos that you have stored on your computer's hard drive.  Or if you have Elements 2024, the images may be stored in the Cloud in your Adobe Cloud Account.  Files in the Cloud can be downloaded to your computer and they are stored on a local hard drive. Is this what you mean by downloading?  If so, the folder where the downloaded files are stored can be found in the Edit>Preferences>Auto-synch dialog:

I suppose it is possible that you requested the download and it took some time to occur, and in the meantime the file may be listed as missing, but I'm not sure if that is a possibility.  

If you are not talking about Elements Cloud photos, we need more explanation of what you mean by download, and also how did you import the file into your Organizer catalog?