Windows 10: Hundreds maybe thousands of strange files suddenly appeared on a portable hard drive, how...

I am using Windows 10 Pro, Version 22H2, OS Build 19045.3693 and Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19053.1000.0Processor is IntelR CoreTM i5-4590S CPU @ 3.00GHz 3.00 GHzRAM 16.0 GB 15.9 GB usable64-bit operating system, x64-based processorI have searched online for hours but cannot find an answer anywhere and I'm too scared to delete these files in case they are important. There are many other files too, such as;ADMX / ACM / ABSTRACTIONS File / ActiveX control / AFD / AFM / AFF / AMD / AMT / Animated Cursor / AODL / APM / Application / Application extension /

:)

 

Folder contents disappear from portable hard drive

Hi

I am transferring files from a couple of computers (-all WIN 10, 1803 build) to a portable NTFS hard drive. I have regularly done this before, so its not new and I have not had issues.

But on 2 recent occasions, after a cut and paste from an internal computer hard drive, a duplicate folder has appeared in the hard portable drive, and the contents of the original folder on that portable hard drive have disappeared: the message is the "folder
is empty". However, when I right click and open "properties" of that original folder, the number of files and the data is definitely not zero and is comparable to all of the prior contents.

I have read up about NTFS folder/file ownership and permissions and have re-assigned both in case I had stuffed this up at another time (The files were coming from different 'owners'). But no help: I cannot access nor even list the missing files.

I have run anti-virus : no issues.

Any suggestions to recover these files would be much appreciated.

 

Disappearing files on Portable Hard drive

I am running Windows 10 on a Lenovo desktop. I recently got a 2 Terra byte portable hard drive to back up my data. I was editing a Word document when suddenly the computer said it couldn't find it. Next thing I know the entire hard drive is "Not accessible".
In other words 300 gig of data suddenly is not available when it was seconds before. The drive properties show "0" data. I didn't format the drive, I didn't do anything but try and open a file. Without sending this drive off to a data recovery place,
how can I get my computer to access this drive?

 

Portable hard drive and windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community. I understand that you have an issue with connecting
portable hard drive in Windows 10.
I will surely help you to fix this issue.

To understand the issue better, I would need more information from your end.

• 
  Is the hard drive getting detected on the computer?
  
• 
  Do you face any issue while using other USB devices?
  

This issue could have occurred due to these reasons:

1. Missing Windows Update.

2. USB port is damaged.

3. Damaged hardware.

Try the steps listed here:

Method 1:

I suggest you to run hardware troubleshooter and check if it helps.

a) Press Windows Key.

b) Type Troubleshooting in the search box and hit
Enter.

c) Click on Hardware and sound.

d) Click on Hardware and device and follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 2:

If the issue persists, I suggest you to install all the available Windows Updates and also latest chipset driver from the computer manufacturer website. You may also try connecting the hard drive to a different USB port.

Hope this information helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of the issue so that we can assist you further.