Viruses can easily spread to your computer or other devices through a USB drive. Especially, when you use it on an unsecured computer, the risk of virus infection increases. In this guide, we’ll show you how Remove virus from USB drive And how to prevent it in the future.
How Do USB Drives Get Infected with a Virus?
USB drives are one of the most convenient ways to transfer files, but they are also vulnerable to malware attacks. Understanding how viruses infect your USB drive can help you avoid data loss and security threats. Here are the main causes of USB infections:
- Using USB on Unknown or Public PC
- Shortcut Virus (Autorun.inf) infection
- Running unknown or questionable software
- Downloading files associated with phishing and malware
How to Check If Your USB Drive Has a Virus?
Worried that your USB drive might be infected? There are telltale signs that indicate the presence of a virus. If you notice any of the following symptoms, your USB drive may be compromised:
- Files disappear when opening the USB drive.
- strange shortcut files is being made
- Unknown .exe files or automatic file running.
- USB drive is slowing down unexpectedly.
How to Remove Virus from USB Drive (5 Best Methods)
If your USB is infected, don’t panic! There are several effective ways to remove viruses and restore your data. Below are the five best methods to clean your USB drive safely.
Method 1: Remove USB Virus Using CMD (Command Prompt)
Command Prompt (CMD) is a built-in Windows tool that helps remove hidden viruses from your USB. Follow these steps to recover your files and eliminate threats:
- Connect the USB drive to the computer.
- Type “cmd” in Windows Search and click Run as Administrator.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
attrib -h -r -s /s /d E:*.*
(Example: letter of your USB drive, change according to your PC.)
. Check if the files are visible again.
Method 2: Remove Virus Using Windows Defender
Windows Defender is a free, built-in security tool that can scan and remove threats from your USB drive. Here’s how to use it
- Go to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
- . Select Scan options > Custom scan > USB Drive.
- . Scan & Remove Found Threats.
Method 3: Remove Shortcut Virus from USB Manually
Shortcut viruses hide your actual files and create duplicate shortcuts. You can remove them manually using these steps:
- Open File Explorer & Open USB Drive.
- Enable “Show Hidden Files” to view Hidden Files.
- Delete the Shortcut (.lnk) files.
- Remove the virus using CMD (follow Method 1).
Method 4: Use Antivirus Software to Remove USB Virus
If the manual methods don’t work, you can use reliable antivirus software to scan and remove malware. Here are some of the best free tools for USB virus removal:
Best 4 Free Antivirus Tools:
- )Malwarebytes USB Scanner (Download it from the official Malwarebytes site.)
- Avast Free Antivirus
- Kaspersky USB Cleaner
- USB Disk Security
Method 5: Format USB Drive to Completely Remove Virus
If your USB is heavily infected, formatting is the most effective way to remove all threats. However, this will erase all data, so make sure to back up your important files.
⚠️ Warning: Formatting the USB will erase all data, so take a backup first.
📌 Step-by-Step Guide:
- File Explorer > This PC > USB Drive > Right Click > Format
- File System: Select NTFS or FAT32.
- Tick Quick Format and click “Start”.
- Done! Your USB is completely virus-free.
How to Prevent USB Drive from Getting Viruses?
Prevention is always better than cure! Follow these best practices to keep your USB drive safe from malware infections:
- Avoid using USB on unknown or Public PC.
- Use Windows Defender or USB Antivirus software.
- Scan before opening USB file.
- Turn off USB Autorun
- . Download Software from Trusted Sources.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
How do I remove a virus from my USB without deleting files?
CMD Method (Method 1) use
Can I remove the virus from USB without formatting?
Yes, If using CMD & Antivirus Scanner It is possible to remove the virus without formatting.
Which antivirus is best for USB virus removal?
Malwarebytes, Avast, Kaspersky USB Scanner are the best antivirus removal software.
How do I remove shortcut virus from USB drive using CMD?
attrib -h -r -s /s /d E:*. Use the * command.
Should a flash drive be scanned for viruses?
Yes, it should always be scanned, especially before connecting to a new computer.
Conclusion
Keeping your USB drive virus-free is critical to protecting your data and devices. Using these five simple methods, you may easily detect, delete, and prevent infections from your USB device. You can clean your USB by running a CMD command, using antivirus software, or formatting it. Always scan your USB before opening any files to protect your data. For more tips on keeping your device running smoothly, check out our guide on how to optimize PC performance.
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