Windows 10: What is this Hidden File on my External USB Drive?

Although I can see other hidden files on this drive such as $RECYCLE.BIN, I have a file that does not appear in Windows Explorer. Using "USB Safely Remove" the following Process is displayed as preventing safe removal of this drive:

System
i:\$Extend\$RmMetadata\$TxfLog\$TxfLog.blf
i:\$Extend\$RmMetadata\$TxfLog\$TxfLogContainer0000000000000002
i:\$Extend\$RmMetadata\$TxfLog\$TxfLogContainer0000000000000001
i:\$Extend\$RmMetadata\$Txf:$I30:$INDEX_ALLOCATION

Any info is GREATLY appreciated

Tom

:)

 

Folders invisible on external hard drive?

Hi,

This could happen if the files on the External driven are hidden. Follow the steps

• Press Windows + X
• Click Control panel
• Click Appearance and Personalization
• Click on Show Hidden files

 

External Hard Drive

Hi John,

We suggest that you try the troubleshooting steps below:

• Open your External Hard Drive file in File Explorer.
• Type the name of the file you want to search on the search box and click Enter.

The file will show up in Search Results and you will be able to move it to the correct folder.

Let us know if you need further help.

 

File back up to bitlockered external drive

Thanks John.

By trial and error the solution is,

• Set the file back up to the desired external USB drive, Back up using file history.
• Run backup to completion.
• Dismount, (Remove) the drive used.
• Remount (Plug in) the drive used for the file back up (Steps 1&2) and encrypt using Bitlocker.

Note you can only encrypt drives using some versions of Windows (Pro for eg not Home)

• Once the external drive has been encrypted dismount.
• Remount the drive, go to the file back up option, Open, Settings, Backup,
  Back up using file history.
• The drive should now still be visible and has been encrypted.
• Accessing the drive will be dependant on how it was set up in Bitlocker,
  Open with this PC, password, pin code etc.
• Repeat file back up as in the first two steps.

Hope this helps someone else.