In this article, we will explain what to do if files disappear from USB drives and memory cards after ejecting them. We will examine possible causes of file disappearance and methods to solve the problem in Windows 11, Windows 10, and earlier versions.
Write Caching on the Drive
Depending on the version of Windows and the type of drive, write caching may be enabled or disabled. When this option is enabled, the system may use RAM as a cache, and files may not be immediately physically written to the flash drive or memory card. This can lead to a situation where, after ejecting the drive, the files disappear even though it seemed that they were already written.
To disable write caching for a USB drive or memory card:
1. Right-click the drive in File Explorer and select “Properties”.
2. Go to the “Hardware” tab, select the desired device, and click the “Properties” button.
3. Click the “Change settings” button.
4. Go to the “Policies” tab. Depending on the type of drive, you will be prompted to choose between “Quick removal” and “Better performance”. Select “Quick removal” and apply the settings.
5. If the option “Enable write caching on the device” is available, disable it and apply the settings.
6. For non-removable devices, only the options for changing write caching policies will be displayed — disable write caching if the problem occurred with a non-removable drive.
After applying the settings, try writing files to the drive again, eject it, and check if the files have disappeared.
Malicious Applications and File Hiding on the Flash Drive
If the ratio of used to free space on the flash drive has not changed after the disappearance of files, it may mean that the data is still present but hidden. In this case, you should perform the following actions:
1. Enable the display of hidden and system files. To do this, press Win+R, type control folders, and press Enter. Go to the “View” tab, uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”, and check “Show hidden files, folders, and drives”.
2. Check for hidden folders on the flash drive. Some malicious applications may move files to a new folder with a random name. Check all folders after enabling the display of hidden files.
3. If the drive space is occupied but the files are not visible or access is denied, execute the following commands in the Command Prompt run as administrator (replace D: with your drive letter):
takeown /F D:\ /R /A
icacls D:\ /T /Inheritance:e /grant Administrators:F
After executing the commands, check if the files have appeared. If the files are restored, it is highly recommended to scan your computer for viruses using applications such as Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, Dr.Web CureIt!, AdwCleaner.
Fake Flash Drives and Memory Cards
File disappearance often occurs with drives purchased at suspiciously low prices. The actual capacity of such devices may be lower than advertised, despite showing a larger capacity in the system. You can check the real capacity of a flash drive or memory card using the H2Testw utility:
1. Download H2Testw from the official website or directly from our server. Format the drive before testing (after backing up all necessary files).
2. Run the utility and switch the interface language to English.
3. Click “Select target” and specify the path to the drive you want to check.
4. Click “Write + Verify” to start the test.
As a result of the test, you will be able to see whether the drive is fake or has write issues.
Additional Information
– Previously, there was a widespread issue where all files on a flash drive turned into shortcuts. This is related to the actions of malicious applications.
– If files were accidentally deleted, you can use free data recovery applications.
– File disappearance can also be a sign of hardware failure of the drive. Check its operation on other devices, and if the problem persists, the drive may be faulty.
