Sims 4 saves not loading

Hello! 

Hoping someone can help me I've been browsing forum for ages but no luck on any methods. 

I've been playing sims for a long time and purchased new packs in the sale. My laptop prompted me storage was full and I noticed game was slower too so I deleted all unnessary documents pictures etc.. I reopened sims and it said new game.. No load game option. I went to the recycle bin and recovered everything and the only thing that possibly messed it up was I deleted the desktop folder by mistake where the ea and sims icons are otherwise there was no other documents related to the sims touched. 

Upon Googling I saw lots of posts regarding locating saves folder which I have with plenty of saves but the ts4 not reading them. I tried starting a new game to create new folder so I could drag old save in but ts4 is not creating a new one. 

I have my personal family as my main game play all maxed skill level and big family line so desperately want to get it back. 

Please help