Is there any way to recover files from the guest account on a Mac, after the machine has been logged out?

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Is there any way to recover files from the guest account on a Mac, after the machine has been logged out?

I had uploaded some photos onto iPhoto on the guest account for my visitors, intending to burn them on departure.

I updated my Mac with a system software update, which required reboot so I of course types in the admin username/password to do so.

I received no warning message "caution: all temporary files in guest account will be deleted if you logout" as if you logout directly from the guest account, so I had forgotten about the guest account wipe.

Just today I switched to the guest user, and was dismayed to find the files gone.

Surely there must be some way to recover these files? Can anyone help?!

Thanks

Alan

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 8, 2013 12:10 AM

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Answer 1

softwater

Level 5

5,556 points

Feb 8, 2013 2:52 AM in response to Wee Pilchard

They possibly still exist on the hard drive if you haven't overwritten that space already.

Your only hope is to try a file recovery program like Data Rescue 3 or some sort like that.

(note: the product linked to is an example of the suggested kind of software that may help you; it is not in any way my recommendation or endorsement of the product. I haven't used this product and can't comment on its effectiveness).

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