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My folders are turning into apps

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Informageek seeker Posted messages 12 Status Member -  
 Informageek seeker -
Hello,
Please help me. I have a strange problem with my files.
I had two folders containing different types of files, and therefore of different sizes (if I remember correctly, one 10 MB and the other 4 MB). I put them on my USB drive, removed it normally, and turned off the PC. The next day I reinserted the USB drive to view these files, and now I find that the two folders have “transformed” into Applications (with the .exe extension) of the same size (1.18 MB), which means I can no longer access the files that were in them.
My questions:
- Is it due to a virus, the fact that I might have safely removed my USB drive, a setting I accidentally activated, or something else?
- How can I fix it?
Thanks in advance. 
Configuration: Windows XP

3 answers

  1.
    Charenton3 Posted messages 1456 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   361
     
    Do you rename them by hand?
    1
  2. Informageek seeker Posted messages 12 Status Member 2
     
    No. Well, I didn’t rename anything. To be precise, I created and named them on the desktop, I put the files there and I moved them to the USB drive. Of course I should have made a copy, but since it’s the first time this has happened to me, I skipped that precaution.
    1
  3. Informageek seeker Posted messages 12 Status Member 2
     
    There you go, it’s done, I’ve solved the “problem”!
    Actually they don’t transform into apps, but it’s a virus that creates an app bearing a name similar to the folder and with the same icon. The virus also makes the folder change attributes and become “Hidden”.
    All that’s left is to display them. For this, you must open WinRAR, explore the place where the folder is located (in my case it’s the USB key), open the folder, uncheck the “Hidden” box in the attributes, and the folder reappears.
    There you go :)
    1
    1. mick69390 Posted messages 1 Status Member
       
      Hi, the same thing is happening to me. I did what you said:
      I can see my files and the others in .exe but I don't know where we have to change the attributes. If you remember the steps of the manipulation, that would be cool. Thanks in advance
      0
    2. Informageek seeker
       
      For visible files: Right-click the file, Properties, and you normally change the attributes.
      For hidden files (not visible): Start - Search - and type the name of your file with the option "Search in hidden files." If you’ve forgotten the file name, open WINRAR and go to the folder that contains the file.
      0