Not sure you can get the whole user directory including subdirectories back without a pre configured backup utility.  
This is what I have done:  unplug the disk with the deleted files on it. On a new disk install ubuntu and if ext4 the app extundelete does a good job.  For photos  use testdisk or photorec. Then plug in the disk as a second drive or external drive and try the tools.  The main issue is anything you do on the disk with the deleted files causes some to be written over.  

On Sun, Jun 7, 2026 at 11:46 PM <cactuswand@hushmail.com> wrote:
Hello MIke,
I'm sorry to hear of your missing file.  You might try:
(1)  If you haven't already, search your trash, the path which might be something like:    ~/.local/share/Trash/files
(2)  Run the command:     find ~ -iname '*string*'            # Where "string" is a piece of the name of your missing file.  You can use "globbing".
(3)  Or try:                         find ~ -atime 2 || -ctime 2        # Any file accessed or changed within the last 2x24=48 hours
(4)  Or try:                         find ~ -ctime 2 -and -iname '*string*'         # Etcetera, etcetera ...
(5)  Or, use some special software for recovering files which were removed with the command "rm".

good luck,
Doug.

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