How to Recover Hidden Files from an SD Card?

What Causes Files to Become Hidden on an SD Card?

Have you ever inserted your SD card into a computer or camera, only to find some of your files missing? Files becoming hidden on an SD card are a common issue.  This can be caused by several factors, including:

🛠️ File Attribute Changes: File attributes may have been changed manually or by software to “hidden,” making them invisible.

⚠️ Bad Sectors: If certain sectors on the SD card are damaged, files stored there may become unreadable or hidden.

❌ Corrupted File System: If the SD card's file system becomes corrupted due to improper ejection or power loss, files may become unreadable or hidden.

🦠 Virus or Malware Infections: Some malware programs automatically hide your files and replace them with shortcuts or corrupt entries.

Understanding these causes is the first step in resolving the problem. In this article, we'll explore how to recover hidden files from an SD card. If you're confused by missing files on your SD card, keep reading to find the right solution.

How to Recover Hidden Files from an SD Card?

If you discover that files on your SD card are hidden, stop using the card immediately. Then, insert the SD card into your computer using a card reader or built-in slot. Below are four effective methods to recover hidden files, each with detailed step-by-step instructions. Choose the solution that best fits your situation.

Fix 1. Show Hidden Files on an SD Card in File Explorer

Before you panic, let’s first determine whether your files are still on the card. In many cases, files on an SD card are simply marked as “hidden” rather than truly missing. Fortunately, you can find them in Windows File Explorer with just a few clicks. Follow these steps to show hidden files on your SD card:

Step 1: Open File Explorer and navigate to the SD card drive.

Step 2: Click on the “View” tab at the top menu bar.

Step 3: Check the box labeled “Hidden items.”

Step 4: Look for any semi-transparent files or folders. These are usually hidden files.

Fix 2. Remove the Hidden Attributes to Recover Files

If your SD card files are hidden due to file attribute changes, you can also use Command Prompt to remove the attributes that are keeping your files hidden. Here's how to recover hidden files from an SD card via CMD:

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type cmd and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.

Step 2. Then, type attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.*and press Enter. (Replace "X" with the drive letter of your SD card.)

• -h: removes the hidden attribute
• -r: removes the read-only attribute
• -s: removes the system file attribute
• /s /d: applies the command to all subfolders and files

Step 3. Check if the files have been visible on your SD card. 

Fix 3. Recover Hidden Files from an SD Card Using CHKDSK

Sometimes, hidden files on an SD card can be caused by file system corruption or bad sectors. Fortunately, the CHKDSK can help repair these issues and potentially recover your hidden files. Let's check SD card for errors and find the hidden files using this tool:

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type cmd and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.

Step 2. In the pop-up window, type chkdsk X: /f /r and press Enter. (Replace "X" with the drive letter of your SD card.

• /f: Fixes any file system errors.
• /r: Locates bad sectors and attempts to recover data from them.

Step 3. Check if the files have been visible on your SD card.

Fix 4: Scan and Remove Viruses That Hide Files

Sometimes files are hidden not by accident, but by malware. A virus-infected SD card may replace your original files with malicious shortcuts, making it seem like the data is lost. In this case, scanning and removing the virus is essential. Here's a step-by-step guide on using Windows Defender to restore hidden files:

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Privacy & security > Windows Security, and click Open Windows Security.

Step 2: Click on Virus & threat protection.

Step 3: Under Current threats, select Scan options.

Step 4: Choose Full scan, then click Scan now.

Step 5: Wait for the scan to complete. If threats are found, follow the prompts to remove them.

Step 6. Finally, verify if the files have been recovered to your SD card.

Pro Tips: Recover Files with Data Recovery Software

If all the solutions mentioned above don't work, your files may be deleted by accident. In this case, using professional data recovery software is the most effective solution. Advanced recovery tools can scan your SD card at a deeper level and detect the files even if they’re no longer visible in Explorer. One reliable tool for this task is AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, which is specifically designed for retrieving lost or deleted data from various storage media, including SD cards. Whether your files were deleted by a virus attack, lost due to application bugs, or disappeared after formatting, AOMEI can help you recover them with ease.

Here's how to recover hidden files from an SD card using AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery:

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, and then choose the SD card to scan.

Step 2: Scan your card to find the deleted files. It offers two modes:

• Quick Scan: Quickly searches for recently deleted files.
• Deep Scan: Thoroughly scans your storage device to find lost data from more complex loss situations.

Step 3: Upon scanning completion, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired files and then click Recover.

Step 4: Specify a path for the recovered files and wait for the process to complete. Avoid writing new data to the SD card to prevent overwriting.

Summary

Hidden files on an SD card can be caused by viruses, attribute changes, or file system errors. Thankfully, several effective solutions are available. This post shows you how to recover hidden files from an SD card step by step. If you're unable to find the files using these methods, they may have been deleted. Don’t worry! You can use AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery to restore them with ease. This professional data recovery software supports various recovery options for Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7 and Server. We hope you can successfully recover the files you're looking for!

FAQs

Q1: Can viruses hide files on my SD card?

Yes, some viruses or malware can hide files on your SD card to avoid detection. This can result in files disappearing from view. 

Q2: How do I prevent files from becoming hidden on my SD card?

To prevent files from becoming hidden on your SD card:

• Use antivirus software: Protect your SD card from viruses that may hide or corrupt files.
• Safely eject the SD card: Always eject the card properly to avoid file system corruption.
• Backup your files: Regularly back up your files to avoid potential data loss.
• Avoid using damaged SD cards: If the SD card has physical damage, it may be more prone to errors and hidden files.

Q3: Can hidden files be recovered after being deleted?

If hidden files have been accidentally deleted, they may be recoverable with data recovery tools. Tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery can help recover deleted files, including those that were previously hidden.