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.Make sure to keep the antivirus up-to-date to prevent viruses.
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u saved my life here…thx
Hi, I accidentally formatted my 4 gig pendrive. Will this still work? If not, what can I use?
Not possible. Give a try with Recuva..
im having this shortcut virus now..i try to do the command but still same…so how do i fix this?
Please follow the steps with reference to the screenshots..
Hey i Have this Problem and i do not know where to find the start buttons. Please help
Hai Arun, im having this virus atm. Is the command you teach us also the same as = Go to control panel, folder options, show hidden files?
There is a folder name RECYCLER IN my external FD, i bet its the virus. Ok, when I already see the hidden folder, say, There is Folder X and Shortcut of Folder X. Can i just delete the Shortcut of Folder X and RECYCLER as well as doing full scan?
Dear Arun,
The solution is in’t permanent. Everytime I connect the external hard disk, the shortcut virus again shows. please help out !!!
To solve the problem , you should full scan your pc and delete the trojan that was still running on your PC. Please use latest anti virus norton 2012 or kaspersky . Then run this command with your hard drive.
The problem wont come again….
I am using bit defender…and everytime i enter the command it says access denied, does this mean it is because my antivirus program is on?
No. You are not having admin rights. Please try the commands in as admin.
To clear this doubt, You can try the same by turning off the bitdefender protection.
very good thing it is working thanks to H.E.Lion
it works! thanks a lot! =)
thanks~
Dear Dear, Thanks A lot, I love you man, You are great, God Bless u and your dear ones,
take care,
bye
thanks!!!! i love you
THANKS A MILLION!
Hi all,
Its really awesome it works really very fantastic u will get 100% data back it is really wonderful really i am vry grateful to you ………..
Thanks for the great info. I recovered those 4 GB data on my USB flash drive with the help this post and another article: http://www.anysoftwaretools.com/how-to/fix-file-folder-shortcut.html A huge thanks.
Works!
Thanks a lot!
I have tried both solution, but my most important folders are still displayed as shortcuts and when i try to open, an erro pops! What should i do?
Thanks in advance
I have tried both solution, but my most important folders are still displayed as shortcuts and when i try to open, an erro pops! What should i do?
Thanks in advance
Hi, I follow all steps, but i still can’t see my files, in cmd for every open file say access denied..
What can I do to solve this problem, Pleas Help Me
Thank you almost cried. I had no idea it was a virus!! Thank you thanks and blessing be to you
thanks for your help! godbless you
I have just followed your instructions for getting rid of the Shortcut Virus and am absolutely delighted to report that I have recovered all the infected files.
Please convey my eternal thanks to the programmer who wrote the recovery program.
With my very best regards,
Derek Conners
yeah thanks it really works. god bless you
I got another way to fix it and it work 100%
Follow these steps (if you are using windows..):
1) open your infected drive directory (example: drive F:\)
2) open tool, folder option, view tab
3) click “show hidden files & folders”
4) UNCLICK both “Hide extension for known file type” and “Hide protected operating system files (recommended)”
5) If there is a warning, just click yes
/* Now you should be able to see your lost file (its in transparent folder)*/
6) Enter the hidden folder, CUT all your file and PASTE it inside a new folder. (repeat this step for your other folder too)
7) Delete all old folders that is empty and also the annoying 1kB shortcut folder. (also any suspicious folder or icon such as desktop.ini, thumb.db etc that might be virus)
Dont forget to undo step 2 and 3 if your done.
/*if you’re infected by this virus again in the future, i recommend you to put all your files and folder in just ONE folder inside your external device.(so you dont have to repeat step 6 so many time)*/
Thanks a lot..i just did the step u’ve shown, and it’s working!!Yeah!!..now i’m in the process of transfer all my data to new folder..then format my USB disk..
Thanks a million man… I thought all my files are gone!!! Thanks for your help again.
Thank you so much my external hard disk works fine now. You are awesome!
awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
in credible.. god bless u it worked i was so freaked out. u saved my critical data
you should check the spacing between the arguments, and others with the screenshot…