How to Recover Lost Files from Trojan Virus Attack

Amy Dennis

Jun 03, 2026 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

TL;DR:

You can recover files lost to a Trojan virus attack by executing specific Command Prompt commands, utilizing data recovery software like Recoverit, or restoring from pre-configured Windows backups.
    ● To unhide files affected by the virus without installing third-party software, execute the command attrib "-h -r -s /s /d drive letter:\*.*" in CMD, though this basic repair may not succeed in all data loss scenarios.
    ● If the CMD method fails, Recoverit Data Recovery offers an All-Around Recovery deep scan mode for Windows and Mac systems that bypasses the need for prior backups and allows you to preview specific files before extraction.
    ● Built-in OS tools like File History or Previous Versions can successfully restore original data, but these strictly require backup settings to be active prior to the attack, and restoring via Previous Versions permanently overwrites the current file state without the option to undo.

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Is it possible to Recover Lost Files after a Trojan Attack?

Virus attacks are becoming increasingly common these days, especially in Windows PCs. Despite taking the necessary precautions, there is always a chance of encountering a malicious program while on the internet. One of the most common such viruses is a Trojan horse, or simply- a Trojan. We have to protect our computers from various viruses like WannaCry ransomware.

Trojans are malicious programs that infect computers by misleading users of their actual intent. These Trojans can lead to a huge data loss in the computer/PC that they affect. If a Trojan affects your PC and you have lost your files, then do not be worried- it is possible to recover files from the Trojan virus. As you read ahead, we will discuss the 2 most common lost file recovery methods for Trojan attacks.

Malware Analysis Matrix: How Trojans Alter Storage Sectors

How Was Your Computer Attacked by Virus?

In an ideal world, you wouldn’t worry about a Virus or Malware attack. But this is the reality: Malicious Codes can spread using a lot of channels.
Let’s see the potential causes of a Malware or Virus Attack.

1. Installing an Unsafe Program.

Pirated copies of Software are full of Trojans. The provider of such Downloads has no reason to provide you security.  Remember, if something is free, the provider has no stakes. So, you are on your own if the Download Copy carries harmful scripts.
A Pirated Software can spread Malware in your system. Also, certain apps have no Publisher Details. If you install such codes, from an Unknown Origin; your device OS might hurt.
You could scan a Program Installation File in the past. But the modern age Malware keep evolving. As a result, a Malware might fool your Anti-virus tools. So, be on alert when you install any app on your machine. Sometimes, even a ‘genuine’-looking software can cause trouble.

2. Opening the Insecure Website Links in Browser.

Not every site is safe. Thus, you should avoid Unfamiliar Websites. Your device might be at risk because of these sites. Note that you cannot be sure what scripts or codes run on a page. Harmful websites and unknown emails can jeopardise your System’s integrity.
Such sources can install Malicious Codes or Virus Scripts on your device.

3. Using an External Device that already has Malware

It can be a CD or DVD. But you might already know about the pen-drives. Any peripheral device or external drive can house a Malicious Software. Thus, you should be careful about your external devices. Your memory cards or drives become infected, if another PC connected to them has a virus.
So, you must keep in mind, that such a Malware Transfer is two-way. Protect your computer as well as your external devices.

Solution 1: Unmasking Hidden Files via Windows Command Prompt (CMD)

Many standard Trojan scripts attempt to fool users by executing low-level system commands that alter the file allocation visibility flags. This creates the illusion of empty storage media. You can strip these malicious parameters away using the built-in disk attribute utility.

The Attrib Script Execution Procedure

1. Launch Elevated Command Prompt: Type cmd into your Windows search box, right-click the Command Prompt icon, and select Run as administrator to bypass system access control lists.
2. Identify Target Drive Volume Letter: Open File Explorer and check the exact letter assignment of your infected storage media (e.g., Drive E:, F:, or G:).
3. Input the Global Attribute Reset String: Type the exact string below into the console, substituting X with your verified target drive letter:
   attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.*
4. Verify File Table Restoration: Wait for the blinking command cursor to return to a fresh line. Open your target drive in File Explorer and verify if your unmasked files have successfully reappeared.

What These Switches Do:

• -h clears the Hidden file attribute.
• -r drops the Read-Only file restriction imposed by malware.
• -s unbinds the protected System File status.
• /s and /d forces the command to process recursively through all underlying subfolders and directories.

Solution 2: Recover files from Trojan attack with Recoverit

Recoverit data recovery is the most trusted lost file recovery software in the market, used by over 500,000 users worldwide. With Recoverit, you get the choice of recovering the files that you need – and no other useless data. You can search for specific files and memory areas, save your search results to resume recovery at your convenience, and do a lot more with this lost file recovery software.

Your Safe & Reliable Lost Files Recovery Software

• Recover lost or deleted files, photos, audio, music, emails from any storage device effectively, safely and completely.
• Supports data recovery from recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera, and camcorders.
• Supports to recover data for sudden deletion, formatting, hard drive corruption, virus attack, system crash under different situations.

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Malware Integrity Guide: Recovery Success Probability

You can use this tool to recover files from the Trojan virus in just a few simple steps as highlighted below:

Step 1 Select the location of the disk

To recover files from the Trojan virus, you have to select the disk or logical partition that is affected by the Trojan.

Step 2 Deep Scan your lost files

At first, Recoverit will start a quick scan to search files from disk. If you cannot find your lost files after the scan, you can try the "All-Around Recovery" mode to deep scan and search for more files. While it will take more time.

Step 3 Preview and recover your lost files

The time that the scan takes varies on your hard disk size. Larger memory means that it will take more time. After it is done, all the lost files that can be recovered will be shown. The preview feature lets you check the files before you recover them. Select the useful files, choose the location to recover them to and then click on recover to get your lost files.

A few Tips for Recover Lost Files

It is easy to Recover Files from Trojan Virus with Recoverit data recovery, but if you take care of a few additional things, then you can get better results and even prevent such situations from occurring again.

• Do not download attachments from senders you do not trust. Only download and open attachments from senders that you know.
• Do not click or download from any link that appears suspicious. They are the most common source of Trojan viruses.
• Ensure that you have a good and trusted antivirus program installed on your PC.
• Scan every removable drive that you attach to your PC before using it. Use a good antivirus and antimalware program for the same.
• If a virus damages any data in an external drive, do not try to use it on any other PC.
• Scan and remove the virus from the drive before you attempt data recovery

These simple yet highly effective tips will help you ensure better data security for your PC. Recoverit is available for Mac users as well- and offers equally stunning results. With this highly versatile lost file recovery software, you do not have to lose your data to Trojan and other virus attacks ever again!

Video Tutorial on How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 10/8/7 Easily?

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Your device OS comes with Backup-based Toolbox. If your machine is suffering a data loss, these tools won’t start on their own. But you can use them by customising the settings.

So, you can use the default features to claim your lost files and folders.

By creating one or more Backups and Restore Points, it’s possible. You can decide which files and folders to include. Every backup option enables you to choose them, as per your needs.

And this solution is useful if you lost your original content. Or if it becomes corrupt.

You can try to detect the data loss. And select a suitable backup to recover your files. Yet, this approach works only if Backup Settings are active on your computer.

Solution 3: Restoring Files Using Native Windows Backup Subsystems

If a Trojan variant has completely corrupted or deleted files from your active profile partition, you can roll back your system's data state using built-in Windows versioning tools—provided you pre-configured these options before the infection occurred.

Method A: Reverting via Windows File History Engine

Windows File History automatically caches incremental changes made to files housed inside your default user Libraries.

1. Open Windows File Explorer and navigate directly to the parent folder that contained your lost or corrupted data.
2. Select the Home tab from the top ribbon toolbar layout, then click the History button (characterized by a clock icon wrapped around a folder).
3. Use the left and right navigation arrows on the bottom tracking bar to step through the historical timeline entries until you locate a timestamp predating the Trojan attack.
4. Select the targeted files or folders, and click the green, anti-clockwise Restore button to safely return the items to their original structural location.

Method B: Extracting Data from System Shadow Copies

Windows system protection scripts create historical snapshots called "Shadow Copies" during key system updates.

1. Locate the file, folder, or root drive partition mapping that was impacted by the malware.
2. Right-click the item and select Properties from the contextual drop-down menu layer.
3. Switch directly to the Previous Versions configuration tab.
4. Review the generated list of automatically archived save states categorized by Date Modified.
5. Select a clean, pre-infection archive point, click the Restore button arrow, and choose a safe alternative directory to save the recovered objects.

How to Avoid a Virus or Malware Attack?

You can avoid the risk of Malware attack with simple practices. So, following activities are helpful. If you follow them, you can reduce the chance of sudden infection.

• You can enable the option ‘Real-Time Scan’ in Firewall.
• A good Anti-Virus Software can assist you in cybersecurity.
• You should visit HTTPS sites. Also, skipping the unknown sites is a good habit.
• Your device deserves a trust-worthy App Market. Ensure you download the Programs from a Branded Source.
• If you do not need rooting or jailbreaking, try not to play with device OS. Tinkering with your factory setup can introduce security loopholes.
• Avoid the public computers and the public Wi-Fi. You don’t want to risk getting a malware, right? So, you should reduce or avoid the public networks.

Post-Attack Action Checklist: Solidifying System Defenses

• Purge the Active Malware Payload: Never run data recovery software permanently on an active infection. Execute an aggressive offline scan using Windows Defender or a trusted anti-malware suite to clean memory registers.
• Audit Network Connection Activity: Disconnect your PC from the internet or local Wi-Fi during the recovery sequence to prevent the Trojan from communicating with remote Command & Control (C2) servers.
• Reset Global Authentication Credentials: Once your system is confirmed clean, change all system access keys, browser-saved passwords, and financial login tokens from a separate, uncompromised device.
• Force Show Hidden Files: Open File Explorer Options -> View Tab -> Toggle on Show hidden files, folders, and drives to ensure the malware hasn't left secondary hidden script triggers behind.
• Establish an Offline Cold Backup Strategy: Configure a dedicated external hard drive as a disconnected cold storage backup site to guarantee immune recovery points against future ransomware or Trojan exploits.