How to Recover Hidden Files in USB: Top 6 Methods

Why Files Get Hidden in USB

USB drives are widely used as portable storage tools due to their convenience and compatibility across devices. The plug-and-play functionality allows users to effortlessly transfer data between devices, eliminating the need for complex installations. However, files stored on them can sometimes become hidden due to several reasons. Here are most common causes.

• File Attributes Change: If the "Hidden" attribute is accidentally set on a file or folder, it won't show up in the File Explorer unless you change the settings to reveal hidden files.
• Hidden System Files: On Windows and some other operating systems, certain files that are essential to the operation of the system are hidden by default.
• Virus or Malware Infection: Malware can sometimes hide files or change their attributes to make them harder for you to find or delete.
• Corruption or File System Errors: If the USB drive is corrupted or has file system errors (FAT32, NTFS, exFAT), files may become unreadable or hidden.
• Accidental Deletion or Formatting: Sometimes, users may accidentally format the drive or delete files without realizing it.

How to Recover Hidden Files in USB

Fortunately, hidden files can often be recovered in USB with simple fixes. This section will guide you through practical methods to restore hidden files, ensuring your valuable data remains accessible and secure. Whether caused by malware or human error, these solutions are available to regain visibility of your files.

How to Reveal Hidden Files Caused by Settings or Malware

When files are hidden due to accidental settings or deliberate infection by malware, restoring visibility is straightforward. Follow these methods to safely reveal your hidden USB files.

Scan with Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender is a great tool to find out and remove any virus and malware. It provides various security features, including antivirus, web protection, and threat intelligence, to help protect devices, data, and users from cyber threats. You can perform a scan for the USB drive to reveal hidden files caused by malware infection.

Step 1. Double click "This PC" icon to open File Explorer.

Step 2. Right click to choose "Scan with Microsoft Defender". It will immediately perform a quick scan.

If you want to perform a more comprehensive scan, you can choose "Full scan" or "Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) according your needs.

Display Hidden Files in File Explorer

If the hidden file is not caused by viruses or malware, you need to consider changes in file attributes. The simplest way to show hidden files is through File Explorer.

Step 1. Double click "This PC" icon to open File Explorer.

Step 2. Click "View" tab and mark the "Hidden Items" option.

Step 3. Choose all the hidden files and right-click select "Properties" to untick the "Hidden" option. Then click "Apply" to save the settings. The hidden files will be display in the USB drive.

Show Hidden files Using Control Panel

Moreover, you can through control panel to show hidden files, which allow you to open the hidden files in USB drive. Here's how to perform the setting.

Step 1. Type "Control Panel" in the start menu and open it.

Step 2. Select Appearance and Personalization > Show hidden files and folders.

Step 3. Choose the "Show hidden files, folders and drives" and click "Apply".

Unhidden Files Using CMD

CMD (Command Prompt) is a command-line tool in Windows that enables users to interact with the operating system via text-based commands. Attrib command is designed to restore files that have been hidden—either accidentally, by system settings, or due to malware activity.

Step 1. Type "command prompt" in the start menu and open it.

Step 2. Enter the following command to recover the data using command prompt: attrib -h -r -s /s /d E:\*.* .

Notes:✎...

Replace the drive letter "E" with your actual USB drive letter.

Now, all the hidden files can be visible.

How to Recover Hidden Files Lost Due to Deletion or Data Loss

If none of the above methods can make the files unhidden, they are likely lost or deleted. Here are two free USB recovery software programs.

Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery is a command-line data recovery tool developed by Microsoft. It can help retrieve files from various storage devices. It offers several distinct command-line modes, each tailored to specific usage scenarios and file systems. But it only supports usage on Win11/10. Here's how to recover deleted files using Windows File Recovery command.

Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery from the official channel on your computer (avoid installing on the drive with lost files).

Step 2. Open Windows File Recovery in the start menu and run it as administrator.

Step 3. Enter the command winfr H: D: /regular and press "Enter".

Once the process is finished, you can press "y" to check the recovered files in the destination folder.

Third-Party Professional Data Recovery Software-MyRecover

If you don’t like complex command lines, you can try MyRecover, a professional data recovery software. It uses a GUI and is user-friendly, allowing even computer novices to complete data recovery independently. It supports various versions of Windows, such as Windows 11/10/8/7, etc. You can achieve data recovery in just four simple steps.

MyRecover

Ultimate Free Data Recovery Tool

• 500+ Devices Supported | SSD, HDD, USB Flash Drive, SD Sard, etc.
• 1000+ File Formats Supported | PNG, MP4, MP3, TXT, ZIP, MSG, etc.
• 500+ Data Loss Scenarios | Deletion, Format, System Crash, Virus Attack, etc.

Download Freeware
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

100% Secure

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer.

Step 2. Launch it and select the USB drive to scan for lost files.

Step 3. Choose the files you want to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 4. Select a different drive to store the recovered files.

How to Keep USB Drive Healthy

Keeping your USB drive healthy means ensuring its longevity, reliability, and good performance. To keep the USB drive in good condition, there are several steps you can take.

Proper Ejection: Always use the "Safely Remove Hardware" option before removing your USB drive from your computer. This ensures that all processes and data transfers are complete and that you don't risk data corruption.

Avoid Physical Damage: Be careful not to insert or remove the USB drive with force. A sudden yank can damage both the USB and the USB port on your device.

Regular Backup: USB drives can fail, so it’s always good practice to back up important files. Consider using cloud storage or a secondary external hard drive for critical data.

Summary

If you happen to encounter the problem of USB files being hidden, the methods provided in this article can exactly show hidden files in Windows. To ensure data security forever, MyRecover is a good choice. It also offers deep scan function, which can help you retrieve the files you want from fragmented clues.

In addition, the Professional and Technician versions of MyRecover can meet the needs of users with more advanced requirements. Even in disastrous situations like system crashes, its performance will not disappoint you.