How to Fix USB Folders Turned into .exe Files and Remove exe Virus

USB folders turned into .exe files? On this page, you can get 3 practical ways to recover files and folders turned into exe. Also, 2 way to remove the folder .exe virus is provided. Let’s read on!

Lori

By Lori / Updated on October 31, 2024

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Is It Possible to Fix the USB Folders Turned into . EXE Files?

“All my flash USB folders turned into .exe files and my Avast antivirus deleted some of them. I have tried restarting when I saw this, and I have scanned my computer but it shows nothing. Please help.”

-A user from Microsoft Community

Many users have found that when inserting a flash drive into their laptop, the flash drive folder turns into an exe file and does not open by double-clicking. It means that the problem is due to a virus attack on your USB flash drive or computer. If you are facing the same issue, you are at the right place.

change-usb-port

There is no doubt that this is a pretty frustrating situation. However, in this article, we can help you recover lost files due to the .exe virus in 3 effective ways and teach you to remove the .exe virus from USB drives in 2 ways.

About .exe Virus

.exe viruses, such as applications.exe, app.exe, and newfolder.exe, are commonly encountered by computer users. These viruses often spread through mobile devices like USB flash drives, hiding real folders and creating fake executable files to lure users to click. This action triggers the Trojan to infect more folders.

.exe viruses can be particularly dangerous, disabling programs like Task Manager, Regedit, and Folder Options.

If your device is infected, it's crucial to remove the virus promptly. While formatting your device can eliminate the virus, it may lead to data loss. Don’t fret, you can find 3 effective solutions below to recover lost files due to .exe viruses.

How to Recover Files from .exe Virus?

If your USB flash drive or computer has been infected with the .exe virus, the original folders may be hidden and transformed into .exe files. To recover the virus-infected files, you'll need to unhide all folders and files. Here are 4 ways for you to recover files from .exe virus.

#1. Show Hidden Files/Folders via File Explorer

The first way to recover files and folders turned into .exe viruses is to change view settings. You can try to show hidden files, folders, and drives via File Explorer. Here's how to find a lost file on your computer by showing hidden items.

🌟Tip: If Windows 10/11 shows hidden files are not working, you can try another 3 ways to remove hidden files.

Step 1. Connect your USB to the PC. Press Win + E to open File Explorer, and click View Options to go to the Folder Options.

File Explorer View Options

Step 2. In the View tab look for the Advanced settings. Select Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and click Apply > OK.

Show Hidden Files Folders

#2. Show Hidden USB Files/Folders via Attrib

If your files are lost or hidden due to a malware attack on your USB flash drive, you can employ the attrib command to reappear the files affected by the virus. How to remove .exe virus using cmd? Please follow the steps below.

Step 1. Connect your USB to your PC, and type "Command Prompt" in the search bar. Select the Run as administrator to open the command prompt window.

Run As Administrator

Step 2. Type “attrib -H -R -S /S /D G:\*.*”and press Enter to show hidden files on the G: drive (G is the drive on which folders and files are hidden).

Attrib Cmd

#3. Recover .exe Files after Virus Attack via data Recovery Software (Faster)

If the previous 3 solutions cannot recover files turned into .exe, there's still a powerful and effective method for you. MyRecover comes to the rescue. This reliable and professional virus attack recovery software has successfully aided numerous users in recovering files infected by viruses, including those affected by the .exe virus on USB flash drives and computer hard drives.

MyRecover
Professional Data Recovery Software
  • Support different brands of USB sticks such as SanDisk, Kingston, Samsung, ADATA, Transcend, PNY, Lexar, etc.
  • Scan the USB drive deeply and find out all the recoverable deleted USB files.
  • Recover 200+ file formats: It can recover deleted Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, JPG, MP4, MP3, CDA, ZIP, RAR, MSG, and more.
  • Has a high success rate and keeps the original file format, path, and size for the deleted files.

To initiate the .exe virus file recovery process, download the USB recovery software MyRecover by clicking the above download button. Follow the step-by-step guide provided below to remove .exe viruses from the USB drive or the computer.

Step 1. Connect the USB drive to the PC. Download, install, and launch MyRecover, hover the mouse over your USB flash drive and click Scan.

select-e-drive

Step 2. It will run Quick Scan and Deep Scan automatically and display all the deleted or lost files including the .exe file. You can use the Search Box or the Filter feature to quickly locate the deleted .exe files you want.

scanning-e-drive

Step 3. Under the Other Missing Files folder, you will see a list of data and choose the deleted .exe files that you want to recover. Then, click Recover x files.

select-exe-files-to-restore

Step 4. Please select a new location instead of the original location and click Select Folder to confirm it.

Select Location

🌟Tip: You can also recover files deleted for free. If you want to enjoy unlimited size to recover all files, please upgrade to the edition.

How to Remove Exe Virus from USB?

After recovering files from .exe virus, let’s remove the .exe virus from your USB flash drive. Here are 2 ways to help you.

Fix 1. Run a Full Scan

You can use the Windows Security settings to eliminate the threat of .exe viruses turning folders into .exe files and enhance your PC's security. Because this Windows built-in feature can full scan for malware, viruses, and security risks to remove exe virus from USB.

With real-time protection and automatic updates, your device stays secure and protected from potential threats. This approach also can prevent files being automatically deleted from desktop.

Step 1. Press “Win + I” to open Windows Settings and go to Update > Security Windows Security Virus & threat protection.

windows-security-virus-and-threat-protection

Step 2. Click the “Scan options” button.

scan-options

Step 3. Select “Full scan” and click “Scan now” to begin scanning.

full-scan-scan-now

Fix 2. Remove .exe Virus Manually

You can also remove exe virus from USB drives or the computer manually via CMD. Please follow the guide below carefully.

Step 1.Connect the USB drive to your Windows. Type cmd in the search bar and click Run as administrator to open the command prompt.

Run As Administrator

Step 2. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter. These will delete the preliminary stages of the virus.

  • taskkill /f /t /im "New Folder.exe"
  • taskkill /f /t /im "SCVVHSOT.exe"
  • taskkill /f /t /im "SCVHSOT.exe"
  • taskkill /f /t /im "scvhosts.exe"
  • taskkill /f /t /im "hinhem.scr"
  • taskkill /f /t /im "blastclnnn.exe”

Step 3. Re-enable Task Manager and Regedit after deleting the virus by typing the following commands one by one, and pressing Enter.

  • reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
  • reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
  • reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /
  • reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

FAQs

What are EXE files used for?
 
EXE files, short for "executable," are commonly used on Windows® computers to install or run software applications.
How do I check my USB for malware?
 
To check your USB for malware, follow these steps: With the USB drive plugged in, open My Computer. Right-click the USB drive and select "Scan for viruses" from the drop-down menu.
Why is my USB not being recognized?
 
If your USB is not recognized, try the following steps: Open Device Manager, disconnect the USB device, wait a few moments, and reconnect the device. You should see the device disappear and reappear in Device Manager. Additionally, try connecting the USB device to another USB port.

In the End

Are you wondering how to remove .exe virus from USB? You can recover .exe files through the above 4 ways. In addition, the easiest and quickest method is to use professional data recovery software like MyRecover to get your .exe files back.

It can also help you recover deleted files from USB drives. Please try it, and start rescuing your important data.

More importantly, regularly backing up data via a dependable storage device can minimize the risk of losing and deleting data. Try to use this free backup software for Windows like AOMEI Backupper.

Lori
Lori · Editor
Lori receives professional technical training since joining AOMEI, and aims at helping users troubleshoot problems on data recovery and protection. She focuses on simple, efficient and practical methods, and provides professional advice. Being able to help readers and users is her ultimate goal.