USB Shortcut Virus: How to Permanently Remove It

Explore the different ways to get rid of the shortcut virus

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

USBs are external drives that come in handy when transferring files and essential documents to different places. Like other drives, USBs are prone to several sorts of viruses, the shortcut virus being the sneakiest.

If your USB stick gets affected by the shortcut virus, all the files, folders, and icons stored on it become inaccessible and gradually start changing into shortcuts.

How does the shortcut virus spread to your USB?

There are several ways by which the shortcut virus may have spread to your USB drive:

If you are looking for ways to fix the USB shortcut virus, look no further! This guide lists the various ways to do so without affecting your files and documents.

How do I remove the shortcut virus from USB?

1. Format the USB drive

Formatting the USB drive is the most straightforward way to delete the shortcut virus from a USB drive. However, the process is not entirely successful in every attempt.

2. Execute the CMD command

After the shortcut virus is deleted, format your USB drive once to get rid of the hidden files generated after executing the attrib command.

3. Delete suspicious processes and keys

4. Execute the BAT File

Executing the above commands in a BAT file is the most effective way to remove the shortcut virus from the USD drive without deleting your stored data.

That’s all about it! Hopefully, you could permanently delete the shortcut virus by implementing the methods discussed in this guide.

Before you leave, you may be interested in the guide explaining ways to fix theUSB drive not recognizedissue if it bothers you frequently.

In case you need further assistance, we are just a comment away!

USB Shortcut Virus: How to Permanently Remove It#

How does the shortcut virus spread to your USB?#

How do I remove the shortcut virus from USB?#

1. Format the USB drive#

2. Execute the CMD command#

3. Delete suspicious processes and keys#

4. Execute the BAT File#