4 How to Fix file error in USB flash drive turned into shortcut

USB flash drives have replaced CDs and DVDs a long time ago. They offer excellent read and write speeds, are quite compact, and you can find plenty of large capacity USBs today. However, USB has a slight disadvantage of being susceptible to malicious threats.

 The following article will guide you 4 Ways to Fix file errors in USB flash drive.

1. Scan for malware

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As mentioned, the problem can be caused by corrupt data on the USB. You can use any third-party tool to scan for malware, but make sure it has the latest virus database.

A quick scan isn't enough, so be sure to do a deep scan. The article recommends Malwarebytes for an efficient and fast scanning, as well as a high virus detection rate.

Note that this tool also comes with a free version that you can use to clean up USB malware.

2. Use Command Prompt

Step 1: Don't plug in the affected USB until all the preparation steps are complete and of course don't format it.

Step 2: After that, enable hidden files.

Step 3: Download and extract Autorun Exterminator. 

Step 4: Run the tool and plug the USB in. (The utility will delete all autorun.ini files and protect you from possible malware spread).

Step 5: Now, right-click on Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 6: Copy and paste the following command into the command line and press Enter (don't forget to replace f with your USB drive letter):

attrib -h -r -s / s /df:*.*

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Step 7: After running this command, you will be able to see all the hidden files on the USB.

3. Use the UsbFix tool

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Another way to get rid of the possibility of a virus infection on USB is to use a nifty third-party anti-malware tool, this time exclusively for this type of device.

It's possible that the classic anti-virus tools don't detect specific malware attacking external storage, hiding all data, and creating shortcuts to all files.

The software that this article recommends is called UsbFix and specializes in solving problems caused by viruses, like the one you are trying to solve here.

Follow these steps to use UsbFix and resolve the problem:

Step 1: Download UsbFix. (If your anti-virus program blocks it, temporarily turn off the antivirus program.)

Step 2: Plug in the USB but not open it.

Step 3: Run UsbFix.exe.

Step 4: Click on Deletion and wait until the tool finishes.

Step 5: Open the USB flash drive and hope that your files will be there without being affected.

4. USB Format

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Step 1: Plug the drive in and back up all the files.

Step 2: Right-click on the USB and select Format from the context menu.

Step 3: Select Quick format and choose Fat32 as the drive format.

Step 4: Wait until the device is formatted and you can use it again without any problems.

This means you will have to start over with copying files on this device, but at least now you know that it's a 'clean' device.

Hopefully these steps were helpful and you will finally be able to access your files and take care of the malicious threat in the process.

Micah Soto

Update 20 October 2020