Why can not I see the files on the flash drive and how do I fix it?

A compact USB drive, known to most users as a USB flash drive, is by far considered the most common device for storing and exchanging various data. Often, the problem that arises: "You can not see files on a flash drive" can have rather catastrophic consequences. After all, often transferred to the Flash USB Drive-device important documents of a confidential nature, unique photographs and other types of valuable information can be in a single copy. If you are faced with a similar problem for the first time, do not panic. There is a high probability that the missing data are all the same - on a flash drive. You just do not see them, because they are hidden. To solve the problem of "invisibility", let's turn to the practical experience experienced and consider the main aspects of digital recovery.

Two main reasons: why did the information disappear?

So, when you insert a USB-drive into the computer, you found that the flash drive can not see the files. In the vast majority of cases, it is the user who is the culprit of this kind of trouble. And most often as a result of improper operation Flash-device starts to work in the "conjuror" mode. Of course, we can not discount factory marriage in the manufacture of products and unfavorable accidents of metaphysical properties. However, the harsh reality shows that the cause of the malfunction can be either hardware or software.

On the flash drive can not see the files: how to fix the problem

The first thing to do is to conduct a visual inspection of the subject of our attention. Perhaps the information transfer device is purely mechanically damaged. A spilled cup of coffee can also have a direct bearing on the disappearance of files. Make sure that the contacts of the Flash drive are not oxidized. If the device is equipped with an alarm LED - the operability must be confirmed by the indicator light. However, if the computer detects the connected device, then, most likely, the "originator of the triumph" has software roots, which may well undermine the malicious computer virus. Nevertheless, such "tricks" can be exposed as a result of the application of special software, but before ...

Standard methods of combating "invisibility"

If you can not see the files on the flash drive, try the following:

• Connect the USB device to the computer.
• Use the "Win + R" key combination to open the "Run" window.
• Then in the checkbox enter "cmd".

• In the "Command Editor", write "Attrib -h -r -s / with /dk:\*.*", where the Latin letter k should have the letter meaning of your removable media.
• Press "Enter", and the hidden files again become explicit.

The second Windows solution: changing system settings

It is quite possible that the folder and files that are on the flash drive have been assigned the attribute "hide". In this case, the Flash drive connected to the PC will be displayed blank.

• Go to the "Control Panel" menu.
• Now go to the "Appearance and Personalization" section.
• In the "Folder Options" section, activate the "Show hidden files" link.
• The last element of the list must be activated. That is, the item "Show hidden files, folders ..." should be marked with a marker.

If this method does not have the proper effect, and you still can not see the hidden files, try the method described below.

Option three: checking the parameters of one of the branches of the registry

As a result of virus infection, malicious code can change entries in the system log of Windows OS. Therefore, it is necessary to verify the integrity of the parameters involved. It should be noted that when working with the registry should be very careful, because incorrect actions and incorrect changes can be critical for the full functionality of the Windows-system as a whole.

• Using the "Run" menu, you need to open the Registry Editor.
• Type the command "regedit".
• After the utility utility is opened, follow the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced \ Folder \ Hidden \ SHOWALL.
• The key record "CheckedValue" (right side of the working window of the editor) should correspond to the value "1".
• In the column "Type", except for "REG_DWORD", nothing should be.

If the entry did not match the sample, your PC probably is infected with a computer virus, which means you need to check the system for a "destructive code".

A clear question: "How to open not visible files?" And an effective response to it

Algorithm of actions:

• Download the anti-virus utility Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free to your PC.
• Run the installed software.
• Scan all partitions of your PC hard drive and USB drive.
• If a "digital infection" is detected, remove the source of infection.

It is worth noting that in some cases, even after processing the hard drive and the storage area of the flash drive with antivirus software, the problem will not disappear. As a result of the destructive activity of the unfavorable code, the operating files of the OS and even the structure of the disks could be changed. In such cases, the recovery process, and in the case of the system - a complete reinstallation of Windows, simply can not be avoided.

How to recover lost data

As a rule, as a result of incorrect manipulations with a removable medium, beginners have a question: "Why does not a flash drive see files?" To solve this kind of problem, it is necessary to download and install a special program on your PC. Among the huge amount of such software the most attractive is the free utility for restoring information Recuva, which you will learn about from the section below, and also learn the basic methods of working with it.

Recuva - free "reincarnator" of data

So, what needs to be done?

• Download this software from the official site.
• After installation, run the utility.
• Choose the type of information you are looking for. The most acceptable option is all files.
• In the next window, select "On the memory card."
• Once you have confirmed your choice, the scanning process will begin.
• In the case where the result was ineffective, go to the "Advanced mode" tab in the special program window.
• Mark all inactive items and repeat the startup process.
• The files found in this way need to be restored. Click the same button in the lower right corner of the program.
• Check the boxes next to the files found.
• After activating the "Restore" button, your data will be saved to the directory specified by you.

As you understand, this program will also cope with the possible difficulty when the memory card does not see the files. However, with the help of Recuva it is possible to recover deleted information from almost any type of media.

Instead of an afterword

So, you learned what to do if the flash card does not see the files. Nevertheless, do not forget about the elementary operational rules, the observance of which guarantees long-term memory operation:

• Do not save on the USB flash drive the information that was not previously verified by the anti-virus software.
• Remember that you need to disconnect the USB drive correctly, deactivating it with the Windows-based tool: "Safely remove the device".
• Do not use the same flash drive in different systems. This warning is particularly relevant for mobile storage devices (for example, SD memory cards).
• Do not forget to make a copy of the data from the USB-medium to the hard drive of your PC.
• In some cases, specific specialized software may be needed to recover lost files from a specific modification of the storage device.

All you good and flawlessly working Flash-devices!