start at the top of your file tree ... home folder. Right click on folder, see if you can access properties, then >permissions.

Access files, access folders, apply to all folders and files button.

These instructions for Linux. Your mileage may vary. Not responsible for your results.

I don't think PC's have a "file tree".

I do appreciate the reply though.

I really don't want to pay for a computer store to help. UGH

Your windows computer, like any other, stores files in a hierarchal manner.

PDF - Word - ?

Right click the files and open with ?

It is older ones, but about a month or more.

Reboot the computer.

If the files are in the cloud:

- Check the internet connection.

- Are you properly logged in?

- Can the files be accessed from another device?

MS literally tries to trick people into storing data in the cloud when saving files. It can take extra clicks to specify a local drive.

I don't store anything in the cloud. Not even backups.

I deactivate MS Onedrive on every Windows computer I configure.

I think I was tricked and turned it on for a while.

I do my own back ups. I don't want my stuff in the cloud.

If I sign into the cloud, I am afraid it will take the rest of my files.

If some kind of auto synchronization is engaged, it might copy the files to the cloud, but it won't delete them from your computer.

Do you know for sure your files are in the cloud, presumably MS Onedrive? If so, you must be signed in to access them.

If they are in the cloud, there could be other reasons beyond your control as to why files cannot be accessed. For example, some critical intermediate internet server between you and MS could have malfunctioned. In which case, just try again later.

Good luck.

But as I recall, if it does back up your files to the cloud, it doesn't remove them from your computer.

Such a hacked computer would have all its files encrypted and a note coming somehow to demand money (I. E. Bitcoin) to unlock. Hope not.

And if so, your local FBI office may want to know. They might have decryption keys.

That is the worst case
See these if so.

Once again. Hope this is not the case.

General:
https://www.pcworld.com/article/443183/how-to-rescue-your-pc-from-ransomware.html

Free decryption tools
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/list-ransomware-decryptor-tools

Avast
https://www.avast.com/ransomware-decryption-tools#

Technical
https://secureops.com/blog/identify-and-unlock-ransomware/

I don't think it is ransom ware. I can make new files and as long as the cloud does not have it, I can use it.

I might have to take it in to someone that knows about the onedrive app.

probably fix it.

See here https://www.tenforums.com/network-sharing/152548-unable-open-files-onedrive-grey-x.html

And here https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/onedrive-all-my-photos-have-a-grey-x-icon-in-the/9524c28f-2b96-4dbc-a91c-6381bb6eaba9

One day, a week or so ago, all the files on my desktop had green checkmarks on them. I could still open them, but I was concerned about the checkmarks. I found out that the checkmarks would go away if I simply refreshed the desktop (right click on it somewhere, then on the popup menu choose "refresh&quot . Of greater concern, I found out that this is all somehow related to my system being backed up to the cloud. Annoying, because I never asked for cloud backup. I think a Windows 10 update started it. I really hate these automatic updates and am thinking about bailing out, but of course you are warned that you need them in order to fix the endless cavalcade of Windows 10 security issues that are constantly being discovered.