Accidentally deleted folder from dock- now all files gone?

Accidentally deleting a folder from the dock on your Mac can indeed be distressing, but there's a good chance your files are still safe and recoverable. Here's what you can do to resolve the situation:

1. Check the Trash: When you delete a folder from the dock, it typically gets moved to the Trash. Click on the Trash icon in the dock to open it, then look for the folder you accidentally deleted. If you find it, you can simply drag it back to the dock or any other location you desire.
2. Restore from Time Machine Backup: If you've enabled Time Machine, you may be able to restore the folder from a backup. Open the Time Machine application from the Applications folder or by clicking on its icon in the menu bar. Use the timeline on the right side to navigate to a point in time before you deleted the folder, then select the folder and click "Restore" to bring it back.
3. Use Undo: Sometimes, you can undo the deletion by pressing Command + Z immediately after deleting the folder. This may work if you haven't performed other actions after deleting the folder.
4. Search for the Folder: If you can't find the folder in the Trash or through Time Machine, you can use Spotlight to search for it. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, then type the name of the folder. If the folder still exists somewhere on your Mac, Spotlight should help you locate it.
5. Check iCloud or Other Cloud Storage: If the folder contained files synced with iCloud Drive or another cloud storage service, check those locations to see if the files are still there. It's possible that only the shortcut in the dock was deleted, and the actual files are safe in the cloud.
6. Data Recovery Software: If none of the above methods work and you're still unable to locate the folder or its contents, you may need to resort to data recovery software. There are several third-party applications available that specialize in recovering deleted files from Mac drives. Disk Drill and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard are two examples.