[Windows Central Question]

i was experiancing problems with my computer after i had downloaded the new windows 8.1. so i decided after many attemps to fixing it, i wanted to reboot/ restart my computer to be like it was brand new. i did all the reasearch to make sure i backed up all my important files to an external hard drive using the file history options. after rebooting my computer and going through the new windows intallation again i pluged in my external hard drive to access my photos and music and i cant find them / have access to them and the ones i fianlly get opened are empty folders. im really upset. in the past i have done this and had no problem accessing my files after rebooting a computer but these new windows programs seem to destory alot of things when it comes to access / saving or using other programs with it.