HDD full, but shows no files when opened. Only folder I can see is $recycle.bin

satchit

Honorable
Jun 26, 2013
2
0
10,510
My 320 GB external HDD had around 150 GB of files, until a few days back, when I connected it to a friend's computer. I could see the files when it was connected to that computer, but the next time I connected the HDD to my laptop, I found that the files were not visible. I can view and open the files when I search for them specifically, and the Properties section of the HDD shows that the files are still there, since the space filled is still around 150 GB. But when the disk drive is opened as such, the only folder that comes up is one called "$recycle.bin" which was originally absent. Further, this folder itself is empty.
I've made sure that hidden files are to be displayed, but that doesn't help.
What do I do to resolve the issue?
Thank you.