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Learn how to remove viruses from the pendrivePendrives, memory cards and external HD's are more susceptible to being infected with viruses because of their mobility. Learn what to do to eliminate viruses from these removable media devices. 


Even with the evolution of security of operating systems making it difficult to spread viruses, this is still mainly the case with portable storage devices such as USB flash drives, memory cards and External Hard Drives.

With that in mind, we have made a collection of solutions so that formatting of the device is not necessary without trying to recover the data. It is worth remembering that despite the various options presented, even if you can recover the files, it is recommended formatting the device. To format a pendrive this tutorial will help you.

In the first instance we must identify what happens with our pendrive, if it is not recognized by the computer this other tutorial will teach you how to restore the faulty pendrive. If it has reduced capacity to solve the problem you find here.

Eliminated the possibilities presented earlier we will see the options of virus removal from the pendrive.

Virus Scan
Having a good and up-to-date antivirus will make your computer more secure and also protected against virus infection, in addition, it can also be used to scan your pendrive and then remove viruses.

Step 01 - To begin with, we need you to have an antivirus installed on your computer. There are several options available in the market that can be found for free. We select the main ones, they are:



Avira Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Avast! Free Antivirus
There are also paid antivirus, you can see the list of the best here.

Step 02 - Once you have downloaded and installed the antivirus program, open it. In our tests we used Avast! Free Antivirus. However, there will not be much difference between other types of programs.

Step 03 - Go to the Scan tab, located on the left side of the program, then look for a screen and select the "Full Scan" option. Then click Start.

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

Step 03 - After completing the system scan, the antivirus will inform you if there is any kind of threat on your computer. Then just follow the steps informed by the program to exclude the pests.

Folders and Files Turned into Shortcuts
As it is one of the most common viruses in pendrive, we have a tutorial that has all the steps for you to solve this type of virus and recover the files. How to remove virus that turns folders and files into shortcuts? If the solution does not occur go back here and try the other options.

Archives Fall Out - Option 1
If your pendrive shows that it has space occupied, but simply the files are gone, what to do? This method also works for when it creates file shortcuts. Remembering that this process will copy your recovered data to your computer, so you have the antivirus updated so that the program checks the files during the copy process.

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

When you enter the folder there is no file and it still says the folder is empty.

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

So let's enable some Windows functions; with it we will be able to view and rescue the files. In this case the operating system used was Windows 10. You should find Change folder and search options.

Learn to remove viruses from the pendriveAccessing this option, go to the second View tab and then scroll down until you find Hide protected operating system files and uncheck this item. A warning will appear that will allow you to delete system files and damage your computer, confirm.

Below is another option that we should swap and let selected Show files, folders and hidden drives.

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

Then we go into Apply and OK. At this point you will see all the files on your pendrive.

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

We have already located the files, now we will recover. Very carefully select only the files you want to recover, which is not part of your files, leave it there. These unknown files are from the system and the virus files. Right-click and go to properties

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

It will open a screen where in Attributes the Hidden option will be checked. Uncheck and click Apply. Other options will then appear; leave selected Apply changes to selected items, subfolders, and files and then OK.

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

This way you will have your files back, but still on the infected pendrive. For security, create a folder on your computer and copy the files there. Usually the virus scanner does a scan while copying files and if it finds something suspicious it informs and removes. So the importance of being updated.

Copied to the computer, format the pendrive to ensure it is free of viruses. After this procedure you can copy the files back to the pendrive and use them normally.

Archives Fall Out - Option 2
Step 01 - After scanning the antivirus on your PC, let's go to the next steps. Press and hold the "Windows" button found on the keyboard, usually represented by a flag, then press the letter "R". It will open a small window, enter the following command "cmd" and click "OK".

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

Step 02 - Another window will open. Type the following command: "attrib -h -r -s / s / d D: *. *", Without quotation marks. Remember that the letter "D" should be changed to the one corresponding to your pendrive. After changing the letters press "Enter".

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

Step 03 - Now just check if the threats are removed from the pendrive, if this has not happened with the next method.

Archives Fall Out - Option 3
Step 01 - Here, not to much difficulty, you only need to download the following program "USB Show" that can be found by clicking here.

Step 02 - Open the USB Show, choose the language "Spanish", then click the "Recover Hidden Files" button.

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

Step 03 - Search for your pendrive and click "OK"

Learn to remove viruses from the pendrive

Step 04 - Now we can only wait for the program to remove the virus from the storage unit. After finishing a window will open saying that the removal procedure is finished, click "OK".

Learn to remove viruses from the pendriveReady! Now your pendrive will probably be working and, best, virus free. For best results, search for files that you do not recognize and delete them. Remember, it is always good to be careful with the computers you connect your devices to and keep your computer clean, so you will get rid of those pests.
Leave your comments about your experience or use some other method that was effective.