Missing files from a flash drive after connecting it to a computer or performing a scan is not uncommon. In fact, the information does not disappear, but becomes hidden. The operating system has a special setting for folders and files that hides them from public access. The reasons for the loss can be different, however, viruses are most often found among them. Is it possible to recover files from a flash drive and how to do it?
Reason for missing
Files from a flash drive can disappear for two reasons:
- Accidental deletion. You can restore them either from the trash, if they have not been permanently deleted, or use special software.
- Viruses. A common reason for losing files from a flash drive. Antivirus will not help to recover data, so the user will have to do it manually.
So, files have been deleted from the flash drive. How to recover data? More on that later.
Restoring hidden files
Requires change to fix problemfolder attributes. For example, their appearance changes when opened through My Computer and Total Commander.
Accordingly, in order to access files, you need to change the properties of the folder. To do this, when selecting a folder in the "General" tab, the "Hidden" parameter is unchecked.
This action will only work if the files have gone into ste alth mode and have not been deleted due to a virus. When infected with malicious utilities, it will not be so easy to restore full access to files.
A virus that has got on a flash drive not only hides all files, but also blocks the possibility of restoring them and changing the above-mentioned parameter. However, this can be fixed in the operating system of the computer. You need to follow a few simple steps. So, files from a flash drive disappeared: how to recover? Let's try to figure it out!
Data recovery after a virus
All actions are performed in stages:
- Copy text: attrib -s -h Z: \. /s /d.
- Win and R keys are pressed simultaneously.
- The copied text is pasted into the opened window.
- Z is replaced by the letter that represents the flash drive inserted into the computer. Only the English alphabet is used, as letters represent drives in the Windows operating system.
- Press Enter or OK.
A black window appears on the screen during operation. It will disappear in a few minutes. The exact processing time for a request dependson the number of folders on the flash drive. At the end of the process, all folders and files stored on the media will open.
After all the data is restored, it is advisable to check the flash drive for viruses in order to avoid similar problems in the future. Regular antivirus scanning will prevent the complete disappearance of files in the presence of viruses.
The above method works almost always, however, if the information is not restored, then they resort to using specialized programs aimed at returning data. Therefore, let's continue! If files disappeared after scanning the flash drive, how to recover them?
Second way
The action of some viruses is not aimed at deleting, but at moving information to a folder with a changed name. For reverse renaming, you will need access to the command line, into which the cmd command is driven.
After that, the transition to the flash card is carried out by entering the h: command, while the letter h is replaced by the letter that denotes the removable disk. To display all the data stored on the flash drive, dir/x is entered. Folders whose names have been changed by a virus are displayed as E2E2 and similar. Commanding E2E2~1NewDoc and pressing the Enter key will rename the folder to NewDoc.
Now all deleted documents and files will be displayed on the flash drive in the NewDoc folder. After restoring them, it is still advisable to scan the removable disk for viruses.
File recovery with antivirus
Data that disappeared from a USB flash drive after it was used on a computer can only be recovered after cleaning the PC of viruses to avoid re-infection. You can run a full system scan for viruses for prevention.
So, first download and install any antivirus offered on the network - for example, Kaspersky. After initialization, a system check is started. Depending on the speed of your computer, the process may take several tens of minutes.
Anti-Virus will prompt you to remove the detected threats, which will require you to select the necessary actions and press the "Continue" button. Most likely, after checking, you will need to restart your computer. You can restore files after the diagnostics are completed.
As mentioned above, the most common type of virus is one whose action is aimed at hiding files on a flash drive. You can return them to their original state by changing the folder and file options in the "Folder Options" section.
Program for recovering files from a flash drive. What is it about?
What to do if the files from the flash drive are missing? How to recover lost data? In especially difficult cases, when accessing the command line or changing folder parameters does not help, they resort to special utilities. There are a lot of programs that recover files from a flash drive. But Recuva is considered the most effective.
To increase the chances ofdata recovery is not worth using a USB flash drive and creating new files on it. It is advisable to recreate the flash drive image on your hard drive.
After starting the program, the files that need to be restored are selected.
The image of the flash drive, that is, its location on the virtual disk, is selected in the program interface. After running diagnostics, the utility displays a list of files and documents that can be recovered. Among them, you can find the data you are looking for.
The required file is selected and restored with the path and folder where it will be at the end of the process.
In the same way, deleted files are recovered not only from a flash drive, but also from any other media. Including from the hard drive.
So, the files from the flash drive disappeared - how to recover? What to do in such situations? Data recovery methods vary depending on the reason for their deletion: accidental destruction, exposure to a virus, hiding files and folders. In especially difficult cases, they resort to specialized programs for data recovery. What to do if files from a flash drive are missing? How to recover? There is nothing difficult in this - just take a few minutes to study the material.
