How To: Remove a Virus From a USB Stick
How To: Remove a Virus From a USB Stick
The easiest way to remove any virus from a USB stick is this: format it! Be sure to use the Full Format function, not the quick format function.In the very unlikely event you get an error messages saying you cannot format the drive because it’s being used by another program, or for some reason you have data on there you don’t want to format off, then you can try the following. Before I start however, let me explain the fundamental concept of what we are trying to do. With most virus’ they make it very hard to delete the files so they can spread their infection. To do this, they use several files and ping each other so they appear to be in constant use. This is why you see the error “being used by another program cannot delete or format.” So what we need to do, is stop that process. In addition, programmers put in attributes to make it hard to delete as well. For example they set the file attribute to Archive, or System File so we’ll need to remove those attributes too. So lets start: In Windows go to START > RUN. In the field type cmd This will open the DOS command prompt. Here you should be at the C drive root. If not type cd\ and click return. You will then be at the C:\ root.
Matt LeBoff
Kicking around in technology since 2002. I like to write about technology products and ideas, but at the consumer level understanding. Some tech, but not too techie.