Monday, September 10, 2012

how to remove virus that changed folders into .exe shortcuts and fix the folders

The folders in external drive turns into ".exe" shortcuts which can't be opened

Your files are still there. If your type the path directly in the address bar, you'll see that your files and folders are still there.


  1. Scan and clean the USB drive using an updated anti-virus
  2. Open command prompt: Start > Run > type: cmd > click on OK.
  3. Type this command: e: or the letter of your USB drive
  4. Type this command: attrib -h -r -s /s /d e:\*.* This creates the same copy of the folder but without the short-cuts.
  5. type this command: exit This will close cmd
  6. Deleted the folder short-cuts
  7. Done


Reference: Post by "Protech" in this forum.