Member Avatar for Neitz

my flashdrive indicates that there are files and folders in it but i am not able to access them because they are hidden. i tried gettin into the folders via the address box but i still cant change the properties because the hidden checkbox is dimmed... what has caused this and how can i solve this problem? Many thanX.....

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by jholland1964

Dani AI

Generated

Brief summary of the problem and what to try next.

described a thumb drive that reports used space but whose files are invisible and whose Hidden checkbox is disabled. That pattern usually falls into three categories: (a) vendor/host software on the stick (for example U3-style launchers) that intentionally hides host files, (b) autorun/shortcut‑type malware that flips attributes and leaves small launcher files, or (c) ownership/permission or filesystem corruption that prevents attribute changes. Earlier replies from , , , and point at parts of these causes; the advice below ties those pieces together and fills the gaps.

Immediate, safe steps

  • Stop writing to the drive. Further use can overwrite recoverable data.
  • Make a bit‑for‑bit image of the drive before experimenting (use an imaging tool or a Linux/UNIX dd-style tool). Work from the image whenever possible.
  • Inspect the image/drive from a clean environment (a different PC or a Linux live USB). Linux will show files even when Windows treats them as hidden; if files are visible there, copy them off to a safe location.
  • Do not execute any files from the drive. Run updated anti‑malware scans on both the original stick and any copies from a clean machine.

Windows-specific recovery guidance

  • If the problem is permissions, use an administrative account and the drive Properties -> Security -> Advanced owner controls to take ownership and propagate permissions (on XP you may need to disable Simple File Sharing first as noted by ). Once you own the files, clear hidden/system attributes using Windows tools or a command-line utility (the thread already shows examples).
  • If vendor host software is present (as suggested) use the manufacturer's removal tool rather than manually deleting host files.
  • If malware is suspected, clean the PC and the drive with reputable scanners; after successful recovery, securely wipe or reformat the stick and restore recovered files.

If files remain inaccessible after imaging, copying from Linux and ownership changes, consider professional data recovery. After recovery, reformat the drive and only restore clean copies.

Recommended Answers

All 10 Replies

Member Avatar for jholland1964

1 - Open a Windows Explorer... You can do so by opening "My Computer"
2- in the menu bar at the top of the windows explorer you will find a "Tools" option.
3- In the tools option click "Folder Options"
4- click on the second tab "View"
5- Select the choice "Show hidden files and folders"
6- Click "Apply", then "Ok"

Member Avatar for Neitz

1 - Open a Windows Explorer... You can do so by opening "My Computer"
2- in the menu bar at the top of the windows explorer you will find a "Tools" option.
3- In the tools option click "Folder Options"
4- click on the second tab "View"
5- Select the choice "Show hidden files and folders"
6- Click "Apply", then "Ok"

Ive already that. what i mean is that my files seam to be permanantly hidden. is there any way i can change the hidden property of a file or folder by using the registry editor?

Member Avatar for jholland1964

Those were the only instructions I found. What are these files actually, do you know?

Member Avatar for gerbil

You possibly have some sort of proprietary file system software in there, or something like U3 which permits you to run special sware from your thumbdrive. The U3 host files, for example, are hidden, but can be removed if not wanted, freeeing up the space they take. You should find the correct tool to do this at the website of the sware installed.
And again, it might just be the file system software without which your thumbdrive becomes a nice addition to your rubbish bin.
But maybe I am way off-beam with all this.

Member Avatar for HAcKePeLL

Open CMD (Start/Run/Cmd)
Type in :
1) X: (where X is the drive letter of the drive)
2) dir /ah (it'll give you the list of all hidden folders/files)
3) If you find 'Autorun.inf' then type in 'del autorun.* /f /s /q /a'
4)Now to unhide a specific file named 'XYZ' typ in 'attrib XYZ.xyz -r -h' (-r is to remove the read only attribute while -h is to remove the hidden attribute')

Member Avatar for bandararmdc

Open CMD (Start/Run/Cmd)
Type in :
1) X: (where X is the drive letter of the drive)
2) dir /ah (it'll give you the list of all hidden folders/files)
3) If you find 'Autorun.inf' then type in 'del autorun.* /f /s /q /a'
4)Now to unhide a specific file named 'XYZ' typ in 'attrib XYZ.xyz -r -h' (-r is to remove the read only attribute while -h is to remove the hidden attribute')

sorry...

i vd try it.but unsuccusful.

the error message is "not resetting system folders"

can't unhide or remove read only attrib.

i also try from flash drive(and hard drive).

are there any suggetions please....

Edited by bandararmdc because: n/a
Member Avatar for pdcweb

use:

attrib "filename" -r -h -s
Member Avatar for tuco

i have the same problem, theres 60gigs of jpgs and vids and folders, all hidden and all have the radio unhide tab not selectable.
is there a way to batch rename these back? using the atrib method would take me 100 years. the virus did it in 15 seconds.

Member Avatar for rch1231

If this is XP go to Tools, Folder Options and then click the View tab. At the bottom of the list is an option called "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)" Uncheck this and you will get a new tab at the top called "Security" where you can take control of any file and change it's attributes as an administrator.

Member Avatar for jholland1964

This thread is over one year old. Orginal poster never returned.

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