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Our tiny USBs may face numerous issues if not used carefully. For instance, the situation of USB errors unable to open files can be perplexing, with unknown origins causing the USB to contain numerous unfamiliar and puzzling files.
If you're dealing with USB errors preventing file access, it's likely that your USB has been invaded and corrupted by viruses. The data inside may or may not be recoverable, depending on the virus type and case. This article by Mytour guides you on how to fix USB errors unable to open files and provides measures to recover your data.
Guide to Fixing USB Errors Unable to Open Files
There are various methods to help you fix USB errors preventing file access, restoring files and folders to their original state. However, remember that after resolving USB errors unable to open files, you must conduct a virus scan using professional software and additionally, format the USB.
Imagine having a USB with numerous hidden folders, and you can follow these methods to address the situation.
1. Fixing USB Errors Unable to Open Files with Folder Options
Folder Preferences or, more elaborately, File Explorer Preferences, is known as the management and configuration tool for folders on your computer. Utilize Folder Preferences to unveil hidden files.
Step 1: Launch the Start Menu and type Folder > Then, access File Explorer Preferences.
Note: In Windows 7, you can go to the Control Panel, switch to small view, and you'll spot Folder Preferences immediately.
Step 2: Here, simply click on the View section and choose Show hidden files, folders, and drivers then Apply >OK.
Step 3: Immediately after, go back to your USB drive, and you'll see these items appearing. Proceed to copy them to another drive.
After completing the copy, remember to proceed with virus scanning and formatting this USB.
2. Fixing USB errors unable to open files with unzip software
You might not be aware that using unzip software to open hidden files is an intriguing yet lesser-known feature. Here, Mytour utilizes WinRAR for unzipping. If your computer doesn't have WinRAR yet, download it right here.
Step 1: Proceed with installing the software as usual if you haven't already and open it by searching on the Start Menu.
Step 2: Here, you'll see the interface of WinRAR. Click on the address bar to navigate to the USB folder.
In the WinRAR interface, whether hidden or not, all folders will appear as usual, as you can see.
Step 3: Now, all you need to do is drag and drop those files to a location of your choice to back them up before formatting the USB.
The process will be similar to regular copying, depending on whether your files are heavy or light.
3. Fixing USB errors unable to open files with FixAttrb Bkav
FixAttrb Bkav is Bkav's software that allows you to display all files hidden by viruses, trojans, or other malicious entities. This is a completely free software that you can use to counter the situation of USB errors unable to open files.
Step 1: Download FixAttrb Bkav to your computer from here.
Step 2: Initiate the FixAttrb Bkav software, and here, click to select the directory.
Step 3: Navigate to your USB path to initiate the scan.
Step 4: Then, click on reveal hidden files to have FixAttrb Bkav execute the command.
When FixAttrb Bkav asks if you want to display hidden files, press yes.
Step 5: After receiving the notification displaying the completion of revealing hidden files, your task is to copy these files to another drive and then scan for viruses and format the USB.
Here are three methods to help you fix USB errors unable to open files, situations where files, folders, and hidden items cannot be opened. All three methods are easy to execute, and if unsuccessful, you can try the remaining approaches.
However, that assumes your USB hasn't lost data or been damaged by a virus. In more dire cases, we need data recovery software for USB. Because USB data recovery software possesses powerful features to address this issue.
