Copied folder to wd passport ultra, used it to backup computer, lost folder

So I guess I should have read the manual.

I copied a folder to my WD passport before doing a system backup of my whole computer. Had I known I would have lost all the data that I’d copied there first, I wouldn’t have done it. I’ve lost ten years worth of photos and important work documents that I thought I would move to the drive before starting the backup. There is no sign of the data anywhere! 

Is there any way of getting it all back? I’m sorry if a post like this exists - I’m in urgent need of one of the documents!

Thanks in advance

Welcome to the WD Community.

What software you used to create the backup? 

Have you tried doing a manual search of the files that you copied manually?