How Do I View Hidden Files On A Flash Drive?
What would you do if your important files go missing from the flash drive? Or your files become hidden on the drive and cannot be viewed? Know how to unhide your hidden files on Windows PC using simple manual methods. Also, know ho to recover files that are deleted or lost/hidden from from flash drives using a most trusted and recommended tool.
Can files disappear from a flash drive?
Yes, your important files can disappear from your flash drive. you might have accidentally set the files to hidden. Another most common cause is malware.
Viruses do not always delete your files. Some viruses modify the properties of the files to make them hidden. This makes you think that files are gone, though they are still there, invisible. Even when you scan the drive with an antivirus program, it will only remove the virus and not make you view the file. To view your files, you must unhide them first.
Files on flash drives can become hidden due to various reasons. Most common reasons that lead files go missing or hidden are accidental deletion of files, improper program installations, system update, virus attacks. Malware sometimes can mark your files as hidden and you will not be able to see your files when you open the drive.
Irrespective of any reasons mentioned above you can view your hidden files and unhide them easily with some Quick solutions.
How To See Hidden Files In Pendrive?
Method 1: Unhide files in Flash drive using Control Panel
- Open Control Panel → Click on Appearance and Personalization → File Explorer Options.
- Once the File Explorer Options window opens, Click on View tab → Find Show hidden files, folders, and drives and enable this option.
- Now, click on Apply and click OK to save the changes.
After the completion of steps, close the tab and try opening your Flash drives and verify if your hidden files are seen.
Method 2: Show hidden files using Attrib Command
Attrib command allows you to change the characteristics or attributes of the computer file or directory. Attrib command is basically used to recover hidden files from USB flash drives usually after a shortcut virus.
- Firstly, connect the USB drive to your computer then follow the instruction
- Click Start and type cmd → Select Run as administrator
- Now enter the command attrib -h -r -s /s /d D:\*.* (Replace the letter D with your Drive Letter)
- Enter
It might take some time to complete the process. After the completion of the process, verify by safely ejecting the USB drive and re-open it. The attrib command should be able to solve your problem.
Method 3: View Hidden Files Using File Explorer
Try to make hidden files visible with File Explorer, a built-in tool in any version of Windows.
- Insert your USB Drive into your computer. Go to this PC (My Computer)
- Click on the USB drive. Click the View tab
- Now click on the check box to show hidden items in the File Explorer ribbon and previously hidden files should be visible.
By following any of the above-mentioned methods you should be able to make your hidden files view. What if your Show hidden files and folders not responding? What to do if you fail to unhide files or hidden files are deleted files accidentally for some reasons from the flash drive?
How to Recover Hidden Files and Folders from Flash Drive?
If all the methdos havent worked out so far, you should try recovering your files from the USB flash drives using a safe and secure USB data recovery tool.
Out of all the available recovery software, SFWare USB Recovery Tool is a great option, and here is why-
- User-Friendly Interface- The simplified interface allows first-time users to easily carry out the process without second guesses.
- Advanced Algorithm- SFWare USB Recovery Tool has been integrated with an advanced algorithm that will safely and seamlessly recover your data within minutes.
- Maximize Chances Of Recovery- Compared to conventional DIY data recovery methods, the SFWare USB Recovery Tool offers the best chances of recovering your data.
The best part is that the entire process is quick and easy. Download and install the software on your computer and follow simple on-screen instructions to recover your hidden or missing data.
To recover hidden files and folders from the USB flash drive, connect your USB drive to your computer. Download and install the SFWare USB recovery tool. Launch the application.
- Download and install SFWare USB recovery tool on your computer.
- Launch the software, select the USB drive, and click on Start Scan.
- After the scan, all the data including hidden files will be listed out. Use the Search box and Filters options to locate the files you need.
- Double-click recovered files to preview them before saving.
- Select all the files that you want and click on Save to restore the files to your preferred location.
NOTE: If the USB drive is not detecteble or isnt shown, click on Can’t find the drive? Option to locate it.
Important features of SFWare USB Data Recovery Tool:
- SFWare Tool will restore data from pen drive, different file types like audio files, video files, photo files, etc. that are hidden on flash pen drive are recovered
- It has an ability to retrieve hidden files which are deleted even from formatted or not detectable flash drive
- Easily recovers data from bad Thumb drive in few minutes
- SFWare supports recovery from both Windows and Mac Platforms. With the help of SFWare USB data recovery mac you can recover hidden files from Mac computer too
- You can also employ this program to recover hidden files from SD, XD, CF, SDHC, SDSC, MMC, hard drives, portable hard drives and other data storage devices
- SFWare Program can be utilized for retrieving hidden files flash drives manufactured by HP, SanDisk, Transcend, Lexar, Toshiba, Adata, Kingston and many other brands
- Can easily restore files from FAT32, FAT16, NTFS, NTFS5, ExFAT and other file systems
Frequently asked questions
How to view hidden files in USB?
There are 3 ways you can view hidden files in USB. First one is using control panel opttions, second method is to Attrib Command in command prompt and third method is using File explorer.
Why are my USB files hidden?
If your files are hidden in USB, it might be affected with a virus or malware. Virus can sometimes mark the files on your device as hidden so that you cannot see them when you open the device. In such situation, you need to remove virus from pen drive.
Does command help you to show hidden files?
Yes, using the command attrib -h -r -s /s /d D:\*.* you can unhide hidden files in USB. D is your drive letter. The command: -h: clears the Hidden file attribute, -r: clears the Read-only file attribute, -s: clears the System file attribute, /s: applies attrib and any command-line options to matching files in the current directory and all of its subdirectories, /d: applies attrib and any command-line
