Top 3 Methods To Remove Shortcut Virus From Pendrive/PC/Laptop

‘How to remove shortcut virus ?’ is a question which comes in the mind of almost all windows PC users.Generally, in this issue, our PC or pen drive got infected by some malicious program and as a result , all of our files and folders are changed into the shortcut files and original ones got hidden, this malicious program is generally known as Shortcut virus.

 If your PC or pendrive is affected by it then all of your files and folders will be hidden and you will not be able to use them which is absolutely not good. This virus spread from one computer to another like viral through pendrives,flash drives, memory cards exchanges or through internet/Bluetooth connections.

I believe you must have ever faced this weird situation when all of your files are converted into shortcuts and you don’t have any chance to recover your files. Right ? Even I came across this situation when I had no option to remove shortcut virus from pendrive and PC , then I researched about it on internet and found amazing solutions that worked like charm. Today I am going to share with you how you can recover your windows PC, pendrive and laptop from shortcut virus.

Types Of Shortcut Virus

There are two kinds of shortcut virus in windows which windows users generally come across.

1. File and Folder Shortcut Virus

   This shortcut virus is common for most of the windows users who don’t upgrade their antivirus programs for some reason or if they are not using them.
   
   Files and folder shortcut virus has a tendency to replicate all of your files and folders in your pendrive or PC/Laptop in to shortcuts and make your original folder and files hidden and not accessible. This shortcut virus can lead you into serious problems as it does not leave any way to open your original files by clicking on the shortcuts. It is not suggested to click on any of the shortcut file and folder because as soon as you will click on it, the virus may start duplicating itself to its multiples by executing malicious scrips in the background that can steal your confidential data as well.

2. Pen drive Shortcut Virus

   Pen drive, memory cards or flash drive shortcut virus are trojan and can cause a very serious harm with your computer. It is always advisable to use updated antivirus in your PC.
   It appends each file and folder in your removable devices and put them in one hidden folder and creates a shortcut executable file (.exe) of your removable drive with the same icon and name. It will leave no other option other than clickin on it and once you will click on it, it will execute malicious programs in your PC to steal your personal information and to spy your activities.

How To Remove Shortcut Virus Using CMD ? [Method 1]

If you do not wish to install any other shortcut virus remover application , then you can simply remove shortcut virus from your PC/laptop or pendrive by using a command prompt (CMD). Even if you are a non-techy person then also you can easily remove shortcut virus from your pendrive or PC by following the CMD tutorial.

Steps To Delete Shortcut Virus By Using CMD:

1. Open command prompt (CMD). (Go to Run >> type CMD >> Hit enter )
2. Type the drive letter of your removable device and a colon after it and hit enter. (Eg: g:)
3. Now type: attrib g:*.* /d /s -h -r -s . (Replace g: with the drive name of your drive)
4. Hit enter.

Remove Shortcut Virus Using Shortcut Virus Remover Tool [Method 2]

If you do not want to waste your time in commands or you are not a tech savvy guy, then you still have option to remove shortcut virus by using software that will eliminate virus on the go. I have personally tried this tool and it worked like charm . It will automatically removes all shortcut files and folders and recover your original files and folders and it will not even ask you to do something manually. It is the quickest and easiest way to delete shortcut virus from your pendrive, computer or laptop.

1. Download the tool from the below link. It is less than 1 MB
3. This is a click-to-run application and does not need installation. Once the downloading is completed, open it and select any one option from “Pen drive” or Computer.
4. Now you need to choose the drive which is infected and from which the shortcut virus needs to be eliminated and then hit scan button.
5. It will automatically detects for the shortcut virus within seconds and will give you an option to select all and delete the viruses in one click.

Remove Shortcut Virus By Creating BAT File [Method 3]

Have you ever heard about batch file(.BAT) programming ? If no then there is no need to worry as I have mentioned simple steps to remove shortcut virus from your PC by creating a BAT file and executing it. You do not need any extra tools to create a BAT file but just a Windows machine and notepad. This method is not very popular, however if the above two methods that I have mentioned does not work then you can give a try by using this method to remove shortcut virus from your PC or pendrive/memory card.

1. Open Notepad from your computer/laptop.
2. Type or copy the below code as it is on notepad.

   @echo off
   attrib -h -s -r -a /s /d Drive:*.*
   attrib -h -s -r -a /s /d Drive:*.*
   attrib -h -s -r -a /s /d Drive:*.*
   @echo complete

3. Make sure to replace Drive with your drive name. Eg: F:
4. Now click on Save As… by clicking on File tab in notepad and change the save as type to “All files(*.*)” from “Text documents” and rename it to removeshortcutvirus.bat and save it on your desktop.
5. Now close notepad and go to desktop and double click on the BAT file that you have just created.
6. All shortcut viruses from the respective drive will now be removed in couple of seconds and your original files will be back. Enjoy.