Why do memory stick folders appear as shortcuts?

Nowadays we can meet the virus, which transforms all the folders from the Memory stick into Schortcuts. In fact, this virus can be eliminated very easily, much more difficult is to eliminate the consequences: to eliminate the attribute from hidden folders, considering that the properties of this attribute are not active. Ok, let’s see what we can do if you have this virus.

Treatment of infection

If the antivirus has not eliminated the virus (some antivirus programs do not see the virus), you can do the following: click with the right mouse button on the Schortcut of the folder, created by the virus, and see the properties, in which this Schortcuts sends. De Obiceni, is a file with the .exe extension, which is located in the Riciclar file on the memory stick. Delete this file and all Schortcuts. Riciclar file can also be removed.

If the stick contains the Autoun.inf file, even unlimded, this file automatically makes the stick for automatic execution, after inserting it on the computer.

And another thing, so you have no surprises, check the folder:

• For Windows 7, 8 – C: Users Your username AppataData Roaming
• For Windows XP – C: Documents and Settings Your username Local Settings Application data

And if you find files with the .exe extension, delete them, these files have nothing to do there.

By the way, if you don’t know how to view hidden folders, here’s what you need to do: Enter (Windows 7 and Windows 8.1) in the control panel, select the «Folder options» section, the «View» tab and set the option, which the computer will display hidden folders and systems (Show hidden files, folders and desires). It is also possible to fail «hide extension for the types of known files» (do not view the well -known files). Consequently, on Memory Stick you will be able to see hidden folders and skills for them, until the latter is eliminated.

Remove the attribute hidden by the folder

After the virus was treated by the antivirus or manually, there is only one problem: all the folders on the stick have remained hidden and we cannot make them visible by changing the properties. In this case you will have to create a beat file in the root of the stick with the following content:

Then perform it with the rights of the administrator and consequently the problem should disappear. With the BAT file it is created: create an ordinary notes -block file, copy the code above and save the file with any name and extension.

How to remove the virus and make the folder visible

I found another way to get rid of the problem described on the internet lands. This method is probably simpler, only that it does not always work. However, in most cases it can return memory and data from it to the normal state. So, we create the file with the following content, then we perform it with the administrator’s rights:

: Lable
CLS
Set /P Disk_flash = «Vvedite Bukvu Vashei Fleshki:»
CD /D %Disk_flash %:
If %errorlevel %== 1 Goto Lable
CLS
CD /D %Disk_flash %:
Of the * .lnk / q / f
Attribute -S -H -R Autorun.*
Of the author.* /F
attribute -h -r -s -a /d /s
RD Recycler /Q /s
Explorer.exe %disk_flash %:

After rolling, the computer will ask to insert the appropriate letter of the stick, which you will have to do. So, after the Schortcuts and the virus are automatically deleted, provided that it is in the Ricicler file, the content of the USB unit will be displayed. So I advise you to check the Windows system files, of which we discussed above, in the first way to get rid of the virus.

Conclusion

The virus that turns all folders on a memory stick into shortcuts is a common and frustrating problem faced by many users today. While removing the virus itself may seem relatively easy with antivirus software or manual cleaning methods, the real challenge lies in restoring the hidden files and folders that the infection leaves behind. Often, these files are not permanently deleted but simply hidden with altered attributes, making them invisible and seemingly inaccessible to the average user.

Understanding how to reverse these changes is crucial. The virus typically modifies the properties of folders by applying the hidden and system attributes, preventing users from viewing them even after the malware is gone. Since the usual visibility settings in Windows may no longer function correctly, it becomes necessary to use the Command Prompt or specialized tools to manually restore access. By using simple commands such as attrib -h -r -s /s /d, users can remove these restrictive attributes and recover their original folder structure.

Beyond the technical solution, this issue highlights the importance of cybersecurity awareness and prevention. USB drives and other removable media are common carriers for such infections because they are frequently shared between computers. To avoid reinfection, users should regularly scan their devices with reliable antivirus software, disable autorun features, and avoid connecting their memory sticks to unknown or unprotected systems.

In conclusion, while the “shortcut virus” is more of an inconvenience than a catastrophe, it serves as a reminder of how small security oversights can disrupt productivity and compromise data accessibility. By combining preventive measures with basic technical knowledge, users can not only remove this virus effectively but also safeguard their devices from future threats.