How to Fix Shortcut Files in Computer

All the file folders in my USB flash drive have turned into shortcuts due to virus, how do I fix the issue and recover data? All my file folders have become shortcut on my pen drive, how can I get my files back?

Sounds similar? It’s not an uncommon problem for detachable storage devices such as USB flash drive, pen drive, SD memory card, external hard drive and memory stick, to turn its contents into shortcut and data on it becomes inaccessible.

Common symptoms that can be seen after file folder become shortcuts

  • You cannot access the folder for your files
  • All files and folder become shortcuts that show 1KB, 2KB or something
  • Sometimes the disk becomes quite slow

There could be many other strange symptoms with this kind of shortcut files and folders. Then, how to fix folders turned into shortcuts? And if you have some important files, videos, photos or other files, then you may wonder how to recover files infected by shortcut virus? Here you will learn how to do that, all you need is to follow the step-by-step instructions explained below.

Things you need to fix folders turned into shortcuts

  • Windows computer even if it’s infected
  • Powerful anti-virus or anti-malware tool
  • REMO Professional data recovery software
  • Infected removable media, i.e. the USB flash drive pen drive, etc.

Steps to fix file & folders become shortcuts

Step 1: Check whether the files or folders are in hidden mode

  • For Windows 10/8/7 PC, press Home+ R and enter cmd command, then click OK button.
  • Type attrib -h -r -s /s /d g:\*.* (Note: Replace the letter g with your drive letter).
  • Click Enter key and check your files in your drive are back to normal.

Note: If you have formatted the disk, skip step 1 and directly go to step 2. Even, if step 1 doesn’t work out, you try the second fix.

Step 2: Scan and remove virus or malware

If you have installed an anti-virus software on your PC, then connect the infected removable drive to your computer. Openn the anti-virus tool and do a full scan of the drive to kill that virus. After that, check whether the file folders can be accessed normally. If the problem still persists, you need to use REMO data recovery software to restore files from the shortcut virus..

Step 3: Recover data and format the drive

If you have vital data inside the infected drive, try recovering the data files first using Remo Recover data recovery software. This is to ensure that you won’t lose any important files stored on the problematic drive.

Next, go ahead and reformat your infected drive on your Windows system using either “Quick format” or “Complete format” option. In this way, everything on your storage drive will be deleted including the virus and the shortcut issue.

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