Show files hidden by a computer virus using command prompt

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There are two common ways to unintentionally lose your valued computer files; either you messed them up or something else did. If you are certain you aren't the culprit, there is usually only one other cause - a computer virus. Before you panic at the idea of losing your files forever, you need to check to see if they are indeed lost or just hidden from plain sight.

This article will guide you through the process of restoring hidden files via Windows Command Prompt.

1. 1
   Open Command Prompt, which can be done a number of ways. You can choose whatever method you prefer from the options below.

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   1. Click on the Windows Key (or Start button) and type in "cmd" in the Search Bar and hit Enter.
      
   2. Click on the Windows Key (or Start button) and type in "run" in the Search Bar and hit Enter. A dialog box will appear. Type in "cmd" in the input field and hit Enter.
      
   3. Alternatively, you can press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard simultaneously. This is a shortcut method for invoking the Run dialog box.

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2. 2
   Type in the letters "CD\" (without the quotes) and hit Enter.

   

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3. 3
   Type in the Drive Letter which stores the files you want to unhide, plus a colon, and then hit Enter. In this example, we will try to navigate to Drive "F:"

   

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4. 4
   Type in the following "dir/ah" (without the quotes). This will list all the hidden files in the current directory (Drive F:) and display them in the command prompt. However, this command does not restore the hidden files. This only allows you to check if your "lost" files are really lost, or just hidden inside the directory. If your files are indeed listed, then you can proceed to the next step to restore them.

   

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5. 5
   For the last part, type in ("attrib *. -h -s /s /d") (without the quotes/brackets) and hit Enter. This command will "officially" unhide the files hidden by the computer virus.

   

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6. 6
   The command prompt may seem unresponsive while the unhide command is being performed. This is normal, especially if there are a lot of files involved. Please be patient and wait until the blinking cursor resurfaces.

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7. 7
   Please Note: If you are getting "access denied" reply, you will need to re-open the Command Prompt with administrator access and redo the commands listed below.  

   1. To load the Command Prompt with administrative access,

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How to unhide file in PC from cmd?

To unhide a file on your PC using CMD, please do the following.

1. 1
   Press Windows key and R on your keyboard simultaneously, then type "cmd" without the quotes then hit enter.

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2. 2
   Type in CD\ and hit Enter.

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3. 3
   To find the directory of the folder where the hidden file is located, e.g if your hidden file is located in Documents folder type "CD\Users\username\Downloads\Documents" (without the quotes) and then hit Enter.

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4. 4
   Then type ("attrib *. -h /s /d") without the quotes/brackets then hit Enter to unhide the files hidden in the folder.

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5. 5
   That's it.

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6. 6
   Note: If you are getting "access denied" reply, log-in as administrator on your PC.  

   1. If you are already logged in as the administrator, you will need to run the Command Prompt as administrator.

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For Windows 7 Users

1. 1
   On your desktop, click on the 'Start' menu.

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2. 2
   Select 'Control Panel'.

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3. 3
   Click on the 'Appearance and Personalization' option.

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4. 4
   Select 'Folder Option'.

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5. 5
   Click on the 'View' tab.

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6. 6
   Now scroll down to the 'Hidden files and folders' section.

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7. 7
   Select the 'Show hidden files' option.

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8. 8
   Click on the 'OK' button.

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9. 9
   Your files should now be unhidden.  

   1. If you're still unable to view your files, follow the instructions in our main guide.
   2. If you need more help un-hiding your files, let us know in the Q&A section below.

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For Windows 10 Users

1. 1
   Left-click on the "Start" menu.

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2. 2
   Left-click on the "Settings" icon.

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3. 3
   Left-click on the "Find a setting" search box.

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4. 4
   Type in "Show hidden".

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5. 5
   Left-click on "Show hidden files and folders".

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6. 6
   In the File Explorer Options pop-up window, locate the "Hidden files and folders" area.

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7. 7
   Left-click on the circle beside "show hidden files, folders, and drives".

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8. 8
   Left-click on the "OK" button.

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9. 9
   All hidden files and folders should now be unhidden.  

   1. If you're still unable to view your files, follow the instructions in our main guide.
   2. If you need more help un-hiding your files, let us know in the Q&A section below.

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How to remove the virus permanently?

I use McAfee antivirus even though I scan the drive, it produces the null virus; but after also my system do the malfunctions like while inserting the pen drive it shows *.exe file and it's dynamically changing the data. Please help for this. I have tried: I didn't try anything

Antivirus programs do not see all types of threats. To cover the entire range of threats that can harm your computer, you will need to download the following programs:

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware;
• Spybot: Search and Destroy.

After you download both programs, start with installing Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. Let it update its databases and click the "Scan" tab. Insert your flash drive into your computer. Select "Threat Scan" and click "Start Scan". After it has checked the drives, reboot the system and repeat the same scanning procedure over again.

Then, move on to Spybot: Search and Destroy. After installing it, right-click the icon in the system tray. Choose "Update". Click "Update" once new update files have been found. Then, close the window. Right-click the icon of Spybot in the system tray again. Click "System Scan". Click "Start a scan". After the scan has been completed, reboot the computer and rescan the system.

How does this virus work on my computer and how to change the attribute to resolve this issue?

Last week, my Pen Drive was affected by a virus, its action is like make all the folder shortcuts. I went to safe mode and removed the virus from the pen drive but it made all folders hidden.

In order to find these hidden files, you need to plug in your Pen Drive and begin following the steps above in the how-to guide. Once you get to the step in which you have to type in the drive letter, you will need to type in the letter that represents your pen drive. Then continue on with the how-to guide.

Hi, just a quick question?

I've never been on this site before, do I have to pay for it?....

No, this is free of charge site. Please feel free to ask.

Losing storage losing a GB a day have lost 70 GB's last 3 month's?

Lose GB's over night .use this unit very seldom.must be a virus but can not find it Microsoft Sec. Ess. shows nothing.

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How do I recover lost files ? cmd command is not working :(?

My PC is infected from virus. I did hide the one of the folder from my PC, Now I am trying to find the folder using (show hidden files) the whole folder is disappeared. I tired to recover it using both methods from article ""show files hidden bu computer virus using cmd"" I could not. . . Please help me to get out of this trouble my all office data is lost. My data is located in "local disk (D:)" inside folder in a folder when I am following the steps after (attrib -h /s /d) bellow message is appearing

"""Not resetting system file -D:\System Volume Information""". I have tried: I tried by simple following show hidden files from PC menu and also following Show_files_hidden_by_a_computer_virus_using_command_prompt# from article. I think it was caused by: My PC is infected from virus currently running Windows 7 (32 bit)

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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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