Flash Drive Folders Changed to Shortcuts Virus

Fix External/Flash Drive Folders Changed to Shortcuts Virus

Some Viruses changes our files on our Flash Drive or External Hard Drive changed into Shortcuts. We can’t open the files from our Pen/Thumb drives. Many people are getting this Virus from their Work Place and Losing their Data. How do i get my files back so that I can view them? Most viruses delete the “Folder options” menu and “Task Manager” as well.

Solution to Fix External/Flash Drive Files Changed into Shortcuts :

The good side of these viruses is that they don’t delete the actual content. It was just hide in our Flash Drive. We can easily recover all the files.

Step 1: If you are affected by Shorcut Viruses,Do not format your Flash or External Drive. If you format you can’t Recover it.

Step 2: Check your Flash Drive’s Drive Letter ( Example : I: or K:)

Step 3: Click on “Start” –>Run–>type “cmd” and click on OK

Step 4: If your Flash Drive Letter is K: then Type the below command in your “cmd” and Press “Enter”

attrib -h -r -s /s /d k: *.* (Check the screenshot ) Note : Replace the letter k: with your flash drive letter

Step 5 : Now your files will be visible. Do not open your Flash Drive.

Step 6 : Show hidden files

Follow these steps to display hidden files and folders.

1.       Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clickingAppearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.

2.       Click the View tab.

3.       Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files and folders, and Disable Hide protected system files (Recommended) then you will see some message just click OK, and Finally Apply OK.

Step 7 : Restart your computer (Not recommended, but for our safety). 

Step 8 : Now open your flash drive then you will be able to see all the hidden files (Your original files).

Step 9 : Back up your files in to another drive, e.i hard drive. Note:- Do not copy unwanted files.

Step 10 : Now it's time to delete the virus, Open your flash drive and delete all the unwanted files and shortcut folders.

Step 11 : It's better to format your flash drive (Don't worry already we got our back ups in step 8).

Step 12 : Now we have completed Just replace your files to your flash drive and enjoy.....