In this article we are going to explain to you why this sudden loss of data occurs in your pen drive. We will also give step by step methods on how to solve this issue whenever it occurs.
Reasons why you cannot see files and folders in your pen drive
There are several reasons that might have led to the disappearance of your files and folders. Below are some of the known main reasons.
Your pen drive might be damaged
Unfortunately, this happens relatively often. In other cases, the drive is usually inaccessible. If the pen drive is damaged, but the firmware is still okay, it will display on your computer and even show you the storage space used and the space that is free. Copying into this pen drive will function okay and display your files when you open your pen drive. However, when you unplug your drive and plug it back again, the files and folders are no longer available. This is because the drive will save your files and folders as long as there is an electric current/voltage through the USB. It will however not hold the copied data when the USB electric current/voltage is lost. It now begins to act like a RAM instead of a ROM. This might mean you will need a new pen drive.
You did not copy the files and folders to that pen drive
This is pretty straight forward. Perhaps you accidentally copied your data to a similar drive. It happens to me quite often.
Your files and folders were deleted
This is the worst thing that could have happened. Your files and folders were accidentally deleted, or they were deleted as a result of a virus/malware. There are several viruses that embed themselves in your file, and when you try to open that file, the virus wipes your drive. If you see a mysterious file that ends with the extension .exe (application type) or .lnk (link or shortcut type), there is a good probability that it has an embedded virus; especially if it contains the name and icon of your files or folders. Do not open this file before scanning it. Many shareware and freeware can be malicious too.
Your files are hidden
Hidden files and folders are inaccessible to users unless you know their exact path. Whenever you change the option of a folder or file to hidden, it will invisible from the explorer window. Also, if you save a file or folder as a ‘Protected System File or Folder,’ then this folder or file will automatically be hidden from being viewed in the explorer window.
Virus/Malware attack
As we have said before, viruses can alter or delete your files. Another very common virus is the virus that hides your folders or sets them as ‘Protected System Files and Folders.’ Links and application files of the virus might be left visible for you to click on and spread the virus to other pen drives. An autorun.inf file might automatically launch the virus if the autorun property for your USB drive is on. If you are sure your pen drive is not damage and you are sure that those files and folders exist, the methods below will surely solve your problem. These methods are applicable to data disappearance occurring from virus/malware attacks or hidden files.
Method 1: Use AutorunExterminator
Autorun.inf files might be launching viruses that hide your files. Follow these steps to clean and reveal you files. attrib -h -r -s /s /d e:*.* NB: Replace e: with the drive letter of your pen drive.
Method 2: Use Winrar
Winrar is an archiver that will show all your files and folders regardless of whether they are hidden. If you can’t see them on winrar, they are probably not in your pen drive,
Method 3: Unhide your folders
Try this option for a quick solution. This is going to make hidden folders and files visible, and then you can remove their hidden property Alternatively
Method 4: View hidden system folders and files
If method 2 does not show your folders and files, then they we probably saved as hidden system files and folders. To reveal them: Alternatively
Method 5: Use SmadAV
This is the quickest and best tool you could get online to solve your problem. It will also solve other future occurrences. There are similar tools, but I prefer this one.
Method 6: Type your folder path
If you know the name of your file or folder, this should be easy. NB: Do not open .exe or .lnk extension types. They might be viruses. Always keep your antivirus and SmadAV up to date. These utilities will only detected known viruses only. Their databases are updated regularly with new virus algorithms and how to combat them. You might want to turn off autorun for all your USB ports to avoid auto-running viruses.
Fix: You can’t Install Windows on a USB flash Drive Using SetupAccessing a USB Flash Drive in Oracle VM VirtualBoxUSB 2.0 vs USB 3.0 vs USB 3.1: Which should you Have and Why?How to Create a Multiboot USB Flash using WinSetupFromUSB
