Troubleshooting folders become shortcuts in SD card
As a digital device user, have you ever come across this kind of weird situation with the MicroSD card? For instance, you connected the cell phone (SD card) to your PC. It is well recognized as usual. But when you attempted to access the files inside, all of the files and folders became shortcuts!
I met the problem a few days ago. One of my close friends came to my house with panic. She said she had something serious what I must do my best to help. She took out her MicroSD card and said all the data inside are now screwed up. I connected it to my computer (runs with Windows 7 home basic) via a card reader. And found the symptom was exactly what I described in the first paragraph.
Luckily the issue with her SD card is not that difficult to handle. Why do I say so? Keep reading for the causes and how to fix the folders became shortcuts issues. And possibly recover all your original files if you are lucky enough.
Why folders suddenly became shortcuts?
Is it caused by certain malicious software or virus? You are right! As far as I can see, the codes for these malware can be BUOUFO, QWERT, AUTORUN etc. For example, Kaspersky detects it as Trojan.Win32.VBKrypt.cvcu when you take a further look at the properties of the shortcut folder pointing to a 0x29ACAAD1.exe file.
Don’t be over scared, because as an old saying goes: “where there is a problem, there is a solution”!
How to repair the infected SD card and restore all files?
- Connect your infected Micro SD card to a Windows based computer.
- Go to Start -> Run option -> type “cmd”
- Then type this command attrib -h -r -s /s /d f:\*.* and press Enter. Note: remember to replace f: with the MicroSD card letter shown under “My Computer”. And don't add any more or less space.
- Now see if your files or folders become normal.
I had the commands and they helped resolved my friend’s problem. Are you the lucky guy as well? Congratulations!
What if the command wouldn’t help?
Don’t give up! Maybe the virus has hidden itself quite well. Here are the step by step instructions to get that fixed and make sure your MicroSD can be used again. Hopefully it won’t take more than three minutes.
- Open the antivirus on your PC. (Don’t have installed any one? If you prefer freeware, I’d recommend Microsoft Security Essentials. Of course there are many more options available on the market.)
- Do a thorough scan of the disk (your MicroSD card represents) and clean the virus out. Now check your disk files, see if they are normal. Nope? Go to step 3.
- Now you have to format your memory card. Make sure o a quick-format or complete-format.
- If your PC or digital device refuses to format it by showing certain errors. Go get this third-party formatting program called “HP USB Disk Format Tool” and it should work.
- Had some important files inside the card? Wondering if they are gone after card formatting? Not to worry! Check this SD card recovery article for how to get them back.
Be careful next time!
Don’t want to suffer similar folders shortcuts problems? Now take care! Here are a few useful tips for SD card security.
- Do not try connect it to too many computers, especially those you are not familiar with.
- Perform regular PC health check daily or weekly.
- Make multiple backups of those important data.
