From my experience, backing up your photos regularly with tools like Google Photos app on Windows 11 can save a lot of headaches. This app automatically syncs your images to the cloud, meaning even if files disappear locally, you still have a backup online. If you don’t have a backup, tools like AOMEI FastRecovery are lifesavers. It lets you scan your drive thoroughly to locate lost files and recover them efficiently. I recommend running the scan on the affected drive as soon as possible to increase recovery chances. Also, make sure to check Windows’ File History settings to see if automatic backups were made previously. This feature can restore older versions of your pictures without needing third-party software. Lastly, keep your system updated and avoid sudden shutdowns or software crashes, as these can sometimes cause file disappearances. Preventative measures combined with recovery tools make recovering photos on Windows 10 or 11 much easier and less stressful.