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Shortcut virus is a type of malware that creates fake shortcuts on your Windows computer or USB drives and hides your original files and folders. This can be frustrating as it can lead to loss of data and disrupt your workflow. However, you can remove shortcut virus using the Command Prompt (CMD) on Windows, which is a powerful tool for managing and troubleshooting various system issues. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to remove shortcut virus with CMD on Windows.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
To use CMD to remove shortcut virus, you need to open Command Prompt as an administrator to have the necessary privileges. Here's how:
Press the Windows key + X to open the Power User menu.
Select "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the list. This will open Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
Step 2: Navigate to the Affected Drive
Once you have opened Command Prompt as an administrator, you need to navigate to the drive that is affected by the shortcut virus. Here's how:
In Command Prompt, type the drive letter followed by a colon (e.g., "D:") and press Enter. This will change the drive to the affected drive.
Next, type "cd" and press Enter. This will navigate to the root directory of the affected drive.
Step 3: Run CMD Commands to Remove Shortcut Virus
Now that you are in the root directory of the affected drive in Command Prompt, you can run CMD commands to remove the shortcut virus. Here are the commands:
Type "attrib -h -r -s /s /d ." and press Enter. This command will remove the hidden, read-only, and system attributes from all files and folders in the affected drive, including the shortcut virus files.
Next, type "del *.lnk" and press Enter. This command will delete all the .lnk files, which are the shortcut virus files, from the affected drive.
Finally, type "attrib +h +r +s /s /d ." and press Enter. This command will set the attributes back to hidden, read-only, and system for all files and folders in the affected drive, except for the shortcut virus files that have been deleted.
Step 4: Check for Remaining Shortcut Virus Files
After running the CMD commands, it's important to check if any remaining shortcut virus files are still present in the affected drive. Here's how:
Open File Explorer and navigate to the affected drive.
Look for any remaining shortcut files with the .lnk extension. If you find any, delete them manually.
Step 5: Scan Your Computer for Malware
Removing the shortcut virus with CMD is a good first step, but it's also important to scan your computer for other malware that may have caused the infection. Use a reliable antivirus software to perform a full system scan and remove any remaining malware to ensure complete removal of the virus.
In conclusion, using CMD to remove shortcut virus on Windows can be an effective way to get rid of this annoying malware. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can successfully remove the shortcut virus from your affected drive and prevent further damage to your files and folders. Remember to always be cautious when using CMD and follow the instructions carefully. Additionally, make sure to regularly update your antivirus software and keep your operating system and other software up-to-date to protect your computer from malware infections. Stay vigilant and keep your system clean!