May be way off beam here but why not try a simple search for .jpg files in Windows Explorer. Search the whole computer. If they are still there then this should find where they are. If any were stored on the C drive and it was formatted in the upgrade process to Win 8 then I'm afraid they are gone for good as the install is likely to have overwritten the sectors originally used to store the pictures. Not sure how the Win 8 update actually works so I may be totally wrong here but what I suggest can do no harm to try.

Sounds like an warning that the pictures would be best all stored in the Pictures folder and it should best be located on either a different partition or a different drive.

I think I found it, 'Recuva Portable'

I also suggest that the memory stick that she thinks the pics should have been on be left untouched as well. It could be that they are actually on there but W8 can't see them (reasons still to be determined) she should keep that safe until you get your hands on it so you can have a look at it.

Hopefully none of this is needed if the Windows.old is there.

Sorry can't help there. I'm still running Win7. Win Explorer or an equivalent must be there as without it there would be no way to organise or work with the file organisation on the hard drive. There must be a search facility there somewhere. I will turn this one over to those with Win8 knowledge.

Just remembered, it's called CampicRestore. There are two links in this thread for different recovery programs and the link from Nontek's post is the one for Campic, click here.

It does behave like W7.