Files on USB cannot be seen

Question

My backup files/folders cannot be seen on USB drive. After going through the routine to show hidden files and restarting they can be seen.

Next time USB drive is connected they do not show again.

I have gone through the process to show hidden files several times but continually need to do this as they seem to hide.

Any ideas what I need to do to fix this.

TMWGray

Answer 1

Hi, TMWGray. Thanks for reaching out! I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you, and I am here to work with you on this issue.

Try changing the property of the files instead of just telling Windows to show hidden files.

Here's how you do it in two different ways

Option 01 - By using PowerShell

To unhide data from an external storage device by using PowerShell, do the following:

1. Press Windows + X keys or right-click Windows logo to open the Quick Access
2. Select Windows PowerShell (Admin) to open PowerShell with Administrator rights.
3. On the prompt, type attrib -h -r -s /s /d x:\*.* and press Enter. Note: Here replace x with the drive letter of the external storage drive.
4. Open the external storage drive to see the hidden files.

You can unhide all but “System Volume Information” from the external storage drive.

Option 02 - By using Command Prompt

To unhide data from an external storage device by using Command Prompt, do the following:

1. Press Windows + R keys to open Run.
2. Type cmd and click OK or press Enter.
3. On the prompt, type x: and press Enter. (Here replace x with the external storage drive letter.) The directory will change to the external storage drive.
4. On the prompt, type attrib -h -s /s /d then press Enter.
5. Open the external storage drive to see the hidden files.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if that works for you, ok?

Answer 2

Hello Leonardo,

I have tried both options but they only work after a restart of the laptop. When restarted I get the blue screen with the revolving circle of dot asking to please wait. After a minute or two the pc opens as normal. If I connect the USB drive I can see the folders and their contents (sub folders etc.).

The problem seems to be that files are visible when first connecting the USB drive but “disappear” after a scheduled back up is run. If I check that a backup has been done I can see the main folders but not the contents. If I then safely remove the USB drive and do a restart and attach the USB I can see the main folders and the contents.

I have another USB drive and exactly the same things occur if using it.

TMWGray

Answer 3

I'm sorry it did not work.

I'll leave this question to my fellow advisors. I'm pretty sure they have other ideas to resolve this for you.

Thank you.