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 option for folders and files that hides them from public access. The reasons for the loss may 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?
The reasons for the loss
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 resort to special software.
- Viruses. A common reason for losing files from a flash drive. Anti-virus will not help restore data, so the user will have to do this manually.
So, the files were deleted from the flash drive. How to recover data? About it further.
Recovery of hidden files
To resolve the issue, changing the attributes of the folders is required. For example, their appearance changes when opened through My computer and Total Commander.
Accordingly, to access the files, you need to change the properties of the folder. To do this, when you select a folder in the "General" tab, the "Hidden" checkbox is unchecked.
This action will only work if the files went into stealth mode and were not deleted due to the virus. When infected with malware, it’s so easy to restore full access to files.
A virus that gets on a USB flash drive not only hides all the files, but also blocks the possibility of their recovery and changing the parameter mentioned above. However, this can be fixed in the computer operating system. A few simple steps are required. So, the files from the flash drive are gone: how to recover? Let's try to figure it out!
Data recovery after a virus
All actions are performed in stages:
- The text is copied: attrib -s -h Z: \ *. * / S / d.
- The Win and R keys are pressed at the same time.
- The copied text is pasted into the window that opens.
- Z is replaced with the letter that indicates the flash drive inserted into the computer. Only the English alphabet is used, since the letters are letters in the Windows operating system.
- Press Enter or OK.
During the operation, a black window appears on the screen. It will disappear in a few minutes. The exact time it takes to process the request depends on 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 has been restored, it is advisable to check the flash drive for viruses in order to avoid such problems in the future. Regular anti-virus checks will not allow the complete disappearance of files in the presence of viruses.
The above method works almost always, however, if the information is not restored, then resort to the use of specialized programs aimed at returning data. Therefore, we continue! If after scanning the flash drive the files were lost, how to recover them?
Second way
The action of some viruses is not aimed at removing, but at moving information to a folder with a changed name. To rename back, you need access to the command line, into which cmd is driven.
After that, a transition to the flash card is carried out by introducing the h: command, while the letter h is replaced by the letter, which indicates the removable disk. To display all the data stored on a USB flash drive, dir / x is entered. Folders whose names have been changed by the virus are displayed as E2E2 and similar. The E2E2 ~ 1NewDoc command and pressing the Enter key allows you to rename the folder to NewDoc.
Now all deleted documents and files will be displayed on the USB flash drive in the NewDoc folder. After their recovery, it is still advisable to scan the removable disk for viruses.
File recovery with antivirus
Data that disappeared from a flash drive after using it on a computer can be restored only after cleaning the PC from viruses to avoid reinfection. You can run a full system scan for viruses for prevention.
So, first, any antivirus offered on the network is downloaded and installed — for example, Kaspersky. After initialization, a system check is started. Depending on the speed of the computer, the process can take several tens of minutes.
Anti-Virus will offer to remove the found threats, for which you will need to select the necessary actions and press the "Continue" key. Most likely, after checking, you will need to restart your computer. Files can be restored after the diagnosis is completed.
As mentioned above, the most common type of virus is the one whose action is aimed at hiding files on a flash drive. You can restore them to their original state by changing the folder and file settings in the "Folder Options" section.
The program for recovering files from a flash drive. What are you talking about?
What to do if files from a flash drive are missing? How to recover lost data? In especially difficult cases, when calling to the command line or changing folder parameters does not help, resort to special utilities. There are a lot of programs that recover files from a flash drive. But the most effective is Recuva.
To increase the chances of data recovery, you should not use a USB flash drive and create new files on it. It is advisable to recreate the image of a flash drive on your hard drive.
After starting the program, files that require recovery are selected.
The image of the flash drive, that is, its location on the virtual disk, is selected in the program interface. After starting the diagnostics, the utility displays a list of files and documents that can be restored. Among them, you can find the desired data.
The necessary file is selected and restored with the path and folder in which it will be at the end of the process.
Similarly, deleted files are restored not only from a flash drive, but also from any other media. Including from the hard drive.
So, the files from the flash drive are gone - how to recover? What to do in such situations? Data recovery methods vary depending on the reason for their deletion: accidental destruction, virus exposure, hiding files and folders. In especially difficult cases, resort to specialized programs for data recovery. What to do if files from a flash drive are missing? How to recover? This is nothing complicated - just take a few minutes to study the material.