[Article] Malware Removed from an External Storage but I don't see my Files

Question

📌 Note: This article was originally created by Reza Ameri, a valued member on Answers Support Community. It provided meaningful insights and proved helpful to many. We're recreating it here on their behalf to preserve its value and ensure continued access for others.

You are inserting an external storage (e.g. External Hard Disk, USB Drive ,...) to an infected device and it has been infected with malware (Virus, Worm, Trojan,...) . Then you scan with Anti-Malware product (e.g. Windows Security, Microsoft Defender,...) and remove the malware. However, when you navigate to your USB drive your files are missing even thought the malware has been removed. What is happening is normally, the malwares would create a new folder and cut and paste your files into that folder and they create a shortcut link with External Hard Drive icon inside USB. When you click on this icon, it will open the folder which contains your files and at the same time it will execute the malware in the device. When you scan with External Storage and remove the malware, it will not unhide files. In other cases, it might hide your files and create another shortcut of them with the same files name and when you click on it , it will execute the malware.

To resolve this problem, first of all you need to update your Anti-Malware product and scan the External Storage to remove the Malware. When it has been removed, open the search or start menu and search for File Explorer Options and open it , then click on View tab, under Advanced settings , scroll down and select Show hidden files, folders and drives and also uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and you will see a warning and you may click Yes and OK and this way you will see all hidden files and files which are as system and you should see a new folder with some weird or no name, click on it and you should see missing files there. You may cut them and pates them in the main folder of the External Storage and delete the hidden file. You may also delete the file which look like USB Drive icon if exists. Then open the File Explorer Options again and select Don't show hidden files, folders and drives and also check the box for Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and you may press okay and it will hide hidden and system files.