Since update usb problems

Question

Since the w25 update my usb loses showing my files and folders. They show on reboot and then will disappear from view. I can find my files thru search drive "x" then they show until I close them. I tried different ports and devices and computers both with the update. I even fully reformatted my devices. Most times it says "empty" but can tell by the % available that the files are there. NO they are not "hidden"

Answer 1

Hi Jim Kahl, 

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.  

Based on your sharing, after the Windows w25 update even if the files are clearly in the USB as you can see from drive capacity and search results but Explorer can't display them properly.  

We kindly suggest you can try following these guideline to narrow down the issue step by step:  

1- Run prompt to repair file system  

• Open Command prompt as Administrator and press enter to run (I take Z: as an example, you should replace Z: with your USB drive letter):  

Chkdsk Z: /f 

• If prompted, press Y to unmount the drive if necessary. 
• Run it again using the following command: 

attrib -h -r -s /s /d Z:\*.* 

2- Use System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) 

This step is to check and repair core Windows system files by using two command  

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator (as in step 1). 
• Type sfc /scannow and press enter to run. Then wait until it complete. 
• Next, type DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth and press Enter. Wait and let this process complete as well. 

To follow these steps easier, you can watch this video (1) How To Fix USB Drive Showing Used Space but No Files in Windows 10/11 ✅ - YouTube 

(Note: We're providing this information as a convenience to you. The sites are not controlled by Microsoft and we can't make any representations regarding quality, safety or suitability of any software or information found there. Please make sure you completely understand the risk before retrieving any suggestions from the above link)   

3- If the issue still persists, we suggest a rollback to the previous version temporarily to prevent any negative affect to your workflow.  

• Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall update 

Moreover, we suggest you report this issue directly to Microsoft. The more users who report it, the faster they will prioritize a fix. The product team actively reviews customer suggestions to identify areas for improvement and prioritize future updates.  

As community moderators, please understand that our role is to guide users to the right resources and support channels, though we don’t have direct influence over product design decisions or access to internal development timelines.   

You can submit feedback to our product team on your behalf in Microsoft 365 Feedback Hub → Send Feedback → Describe your proposal in detail.   

Thank you again for your patience and for bringing this to our attention. While I can't change the product's design, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions about its current functionality.  

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