Viewing Hidden files and folders

[PAS]

I am unable to view Hidden Files and Folders,

From Control panel I have set the flag to show hidden files and folders,
click apply and OK but when I go to the folder where there should be another
folder with my files in it there is nothing, If I copy this folder to my USB
hard drive and then look at it with another computer it shows the folder and
files.

Why can I not view them in Windows Vista

Paul

 

[Bob F.]

I am unable to view Hidden Files and Folders,

From Control panel I have set the flag to show hidden files and folders,
click apply and OK but when I go to the folder where there should be
another
folder with my files in it there is nothing, If I copy this folder to my
USB
hard drive and then look at it with another computer it shows the folder
and
files.

Why can I not view them in Windows Vista

Paul

Tools|Folder Options|View|uncheck-Do not show hidden files and folders
Bob F.

 

[PAS]

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it just highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and folders the blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I click apply or ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.

 

[Bob F.]

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and folders the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I click apply or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>

Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show hidden files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above that says "Apply to
Folders".
Bob F.

 

[PAS]

Hi Bob F.

The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul

 

[Bob F.]

Hi Bob F.

The box you indicated is greyed out.
Paul

Who are you logged in as? You might need to be administrator.
Bob F.

 

[Bob F.]

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul

See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.

 

[PAS]

Hello Bob F.

Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel disappear briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there are hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard drive and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.

Paul

 

[Bob F.]

Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone else can
help.
Bob F.

 

[Bob]

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.* and press
Enter.

 

[PAS]

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I have tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is running the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.* and press
Enter.

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone else
can help.
Bob F.

 

[Bob F.]

Paul ... Just a couple more questions if you don't mind. Are all these
hidden files in the same folder? You said you moved them to another system
and you could read them. What happens if you don't move them so far, say to
another folder (out from under the one(s) you are having the problem with) ?
Can you read hidden files anyplace on your system? Can you take a test file
that you can read, go to it's properties and see if you have any (view)
control over it by turning the Hidden File, Folder View option on and off.
How does the test file view behave? I am not sure what we a looking for
here...but we'll know it when we see it.
Bob F.

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long
enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its
contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I have
tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is running
the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.* and
press
Enter.

Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard
drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone
else
can help.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul
See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it
just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and
folders
the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I
click
apply
or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>


Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show
hidden
files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above that says
"Apply
to
Folders".
Bob F.

 

[PAS]

Hi Bob,

I have a number of hidden folders with different types of files on my
computer, as I know the file names I can search for them and find them, I can
then copy them to other folders and view them no problem,

If I take a file and make it hidden I can not view it. I can not view any
hidden files including system files.

The View Folders and Files, I can not change the state to enable the viewing
of hidden files and folders. it is as though this part has been locked so no
hidden files can be viewed.

I remember in the old days of Windows 98 there was a program that could be
installed and do exactly what is happening here. But I have not installed any
such program here, the only recent reinstalls was Microsoft OneCare due to a
back up problem, but the hidden file problem started before this, and as I
said I have tried all the system restores none of which cure this problem
with not being able to view hidden files.

Paul

Paul ... Just a couple more questions if you don't mind. Are all these
hidden files in the same folder? You said you moved them to another system
and you could read them. What happens if you don't move them so far, say to
another folder (out from under the one(s) you are having the problem with) ?
Can you read hidden files anyplace on your system? Can you take a test file
that you can read, go to it's properties and see if you have any (view)
control over it by turning the Hidden File, Folder View option on and off.
How does the test file view behave? I am not sure what we a looking for
here...but we'll know it when we see it.
Bob F.

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long
enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its
contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I have
tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is running
the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.* and
press
Enter.


Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard
drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone
else
can help.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul
See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it
just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and
folders
the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I
click
apply
or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>


Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show
hidden
files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above that says
"Apply
to
Folders".
Bob F.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Paul.

tried the below,

You tried WHAT below?

At what point does:

a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long enough

Step by step, HOW to you open the Administrator:Command Prompt. I do this
often and it never just "flashes". The window stays open until I dismiss
it. And any command I run in this window "runs elevated".

In an earlier post you said:
Just to be clear: Start | All Programs | Accessories, right-click on
Command Prompt, then Run as Administrator. You'll need to furnish
Administrator credentials to get past here.

Even if you are already running as AN administrator, this is what you need
to do to open the Administrator:Command Prompt as THE Administrator. In
Vista, there really are two levels of administrator; only THIS one is GOD.

You shouldn't really need THE Administrator credentials to run the Attrib
command, but there may be some restrictions that you might not know about or
might have forgotten about. But the window should stay open as long as you
want, plenty of time to see whatever you need to see.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long
enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its
contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I have
tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is running
the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.* and
press
Enter.

Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard
drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone
else
can help.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul
See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it
just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and
folders
the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I
click
apply
or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>


Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show
hidden
files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above that says
"Apply
to
Folders".
Bob F.

 

[PAS]

Hello R. C. White,

I have just rebooted my computer, I have the Administrator Command Prompt on
my screen, at this point before when I typed attrib -h*.* the screen just
flashed, I now have text within the black screen.

There are nine lines of text all starting, Not resetting system file....

Paul

Hi, Paul.

tried the below,

You tried WHAT below?

At what point does:

a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long enough

Step by step, HOW to you open the Administrator:Command Prompt. I do this
often and it never just "flashes". The window stays open until I dismiss
it. And any command I run in this window "runs elevated".

In an earlier post you said:
Just to be clear: Start | All Programs | Accessories, right-click on
Command Prompt, then Run as Administrator. You'll need to furnish
Administrator credentials to get past here.

Even if you are already running as AN administrator, this is what you need
to do to open the Administrator:Command Prompt as THE Administrator. In
Vista, there really are two levels of administrator; only THIS one is GOD.

You shouldn't really need THE Administrator credentials to run the Attrib
command, but there may be some restrictions that you might not know about or
might have forgotten about. But the window should stay open as long as you
want, plenty of time to see whatever you need to see.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long
enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its
contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I have
tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is running
the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.* and
press
Enter.


Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard
drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone
else
can help.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul
See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it
just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and
folders
the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I
click
apply
or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>


Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show
hidden
files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above that says
"Apply
to
Folders".
Bob F.

 

[Keith Miller \(MVP\)]

Look in the registry under:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]

There should be a value named 'Hidden' with a value of 1 and a value named
'ShowSuperHidden' with a value of 1.

If these values do not exist or have different values, create/edit as
necessary.

Also check under:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

and (if it exists)

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

if a value named 'DontShowSuperHidden' exists, delete it.


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

Hi Bob,

I have a number of hidden folders with different types of files on my
computer, as I know the file names I can search for them and find them, I
can
then copy them to other folders and view them no problem,

If I take a file and make it hidden I can not view it. I can not view any
hidden files including system files.

The View Folders and Files, I can not change the state to enable the
viewing
of hidden files and folders. it is as though this part has been locked so
no
hidden files can be viewed.

I remember in the old days of Windows 98 there was a program that could be
installed and do exactly what is happening here. But I have not installed
any
such program here, the only recent reinstalls was Microsoft OneCare due to
a
back up problem, but the hidden file problem started before this, and as I
said I have tried all the system restores none of which cure this problem
with not being able to view hidden files.

Paul

Paul ... Just a couple more questions if you don't mind. Are all these
hidden files in the same folder? You said you moved them to another
system
and you could read them. What happens if you don't move them so far, say
to
another folder (out from under the one(s) you are having the problem
with) ?
Can you read hidden files anyplace on your system? Can you take a test
file
that you can read, go to it's properties and see if you have any (view)
control over it by turning the Hidden File, Folder View option on and
off.
How does the test file view behave? I am not sure what we a looking for
here...but we'll know it when we see it.
Bob F.

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long
enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its
contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another
folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I have
tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is running
the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

:

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.* and
press
Enter.


Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link
and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there
are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard
drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone
else
can help.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul
See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it
just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and
folders
the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I
click
apply
or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>


Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show
hidden
files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above that
says
"Apply
to
Folders".
Bob F.

 

[PAS]

Hello Keith,

Entered the Registry, found the HKEY you indicated, Made a copy of the
Registry, Hidden had the value (0), so highlited the text, Edit, Modify and
changed the value to (1), ShowSuperHidden has the value (1), there was no
DontShowSuperHidden but there was an entry SuperHidden it has the value (1)

I closed the registry, checked foe hidden files still nothing, went back
into Registry and the value has reset to (0).

Paul

Look in the registry under:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]

There should be a value named 'Hidden' with a value of 1 and a value named
'ShowSuperHidden' with a value of 1.

If these values do not exist or have different values, create/edit as
necessary.

Also check under:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

and (if it exists)

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

if a value named 'DontShowSuperHidden' exists, delete it.


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

Hi Bob,

I have a number of hidden folders with different types of files on my
computer, as I know the file names I can search for them and find them, I
can
then copy them to other folders and view them no problem,

If I take a file and make it hidden I can not view it. I can not view any
hidden files including system files.

The View Folders and Files, I can not change the state to enable the
viewing
of hidden files and folders. it is as though this part has been locked so
no
hidden files can be viewed.

I remember in the old days of Windows 98 there was a program that could be
installed and do exactly what is happening here. But I have not installed
any
such program here, the only recent reinstalls was Microsoft OneCare due to
a
back up problem, but the hidden file problem started before this, and as I
said I have tried all the system restores none of which cure this problem
with not being able to view hidden files.

Paul

Paul ... Just a couple more questions if you don't mind. Are all these
hidden files in the same folder? You said you moved them to another
system
and you could read them. What happens if you don't move them so far, say
to
another folder (out from under the one(s) you are having the problem
with) ?
Can you read hidden files anyplace on your system? Can you take a test
file
that you can read, go to it's properties and see if you have any (view)
control over it by turning the Hidden File, Folder View option on and
off.
How does the test file view behave? I am not sure what we a looking for
here...but we'll know it when we see it.
Bob F.

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long
enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its
contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another
folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I have
tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is running
the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

:

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.* and
press
Enter.


Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link
and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there
are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard
drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone
else
can help.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul
See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it
just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and
folders
the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I
click
apply
or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>


Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show
hidden
files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above that
says
"Apply
to
Folders".
Bob F.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Paul.

Now, what do you see with a simple Dir? How about Dir /a?

When I opened an Administrator:Command Prompt window and tried your
attrib -h *.* (I had to add a space after the -h, as Bob instructed.) in my
C:\Windows\System32 folder I got hundreds of lines of "Access denied..."
because I was (unintentionally) telling Vista to remove the Hidden attribute
from all those system files.

So I switched to C:\ and tried it again. This time, I got just two lines:
C:\>attrib -h *.*
Not resetting system file - C:\hiberfil.sys
Not resetting system file - C:\pagefile.sys

That's because Vista was refusing to reset the Hidden attribute for those
two system files. But now there are no hidden files on C:\ and I can see
all files and folders in C:\ by using the simple Dir command.

But if I use Dir /a, the /a shows me not just files and folders, but
Junctions, too - AND those two .sys files from which Attrib wouldn't clear
the Hidden attribute. Dir shows 1 File and 12 Directories; Dir /a shows 3
files and 16 Directories, including the Recycle Bin and System Volume
Information, which don't show with the simple Dir - even after the Hidden
attribute is removed from *.*.

So, in an Administrator:Command Prompt window, cd to the folder that holds
your hidden files. Enter Dir /a. What do you see?

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

Hello R. C. White,

I have just rebooted my computer, I have the Administrator Command Prompt
on
my screen, at this point before when I typed attrib -h*.* the screen just
flashed, I now have text within the black screen.

There are nine lines of text all starting, Not resetting system file....

Paul

Hi, Paul.

tried the below,

You tried WHAT below?

At what point does:

a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long enough

Step by step, HOW to you open the Administrator:Command Prompt. I do
this
often and it never just "flashes". The window stays open until I dismiss
it. And any command I run in this window "runs elevated".

In an earlier post you said:

Yes I am logged on as Administrator,

Just to be clear: Start | All Programs | Accessories, right-click on
Command Prompt, then Run as Administrator. You'll need to furnish
Administrator credentials to get past here.

Even if you are already running as AN administrator, this is what you
need
to do to open the Administrator:Command Prompt as THE Administrator. In
Vista, there really are two levels of administrator; only THIS one is
GOD.

You shouldn't really need THE Administrator credentials to run the Attrib
command, but there may be some restrictions that you might not know about
or
might have forgotten about. But the window should stay open as long as
you
want, plenty of time to see whatever you need to see.

RC

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long
enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its
contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another
folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I have
tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is running
the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

:

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.* and
press
Enter.


Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link
and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there
are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard
drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone
else
can help.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul
See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it
just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and
folders
the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I
click
apply
or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>


Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show
hidden
files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above that
says
"Apply
to
Folders".
Bob F.

 

[Keith Miller \(MVP\)]

Export the following two keys and post the exports

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies]

and (if it exists)

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies]

--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

Hello Keith,

Entered the Registry, found the HKEY you indicated, Made a copy of the
Registry, Hidden had the value (0), so highlited the text, Edit, Modify
and
changed the value to (1), ShowSuperHidden has the value (1), there was no
DontShowSuperHidden but there was an entry SuperHidden it has the value
(1)

I closed the registry, checked foe hidden files still nothing, went back
into Registry and the value has reset to (0).

Paul

Look in the registry under:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]

There should be a value named 'Hidden' with a value of 1 and a value
named
'ShowSuperHidden' with a value of 1.

If these values do not exist or have different values, create/edit as
necessary.

Also check under:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

and (if it exists)

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

if a value named 'DontShowSuperHidden' exists, delete it.


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]

Hi Bob,

I have a number of hidden folders with different types of files on my
computer, as I know the file names I can search for them and find them,
I
can
then copy them to other folders and view them no problem,

If I take a file and make it hidden I can not view it. I can not view
any
hidden files including system files.

The View Folders and Files, I can not change the state to enable the
viewing
of hidden files and folders. it is as though this part has been locked
so
no
hidden files can be viewed.

I remember in the old days of Windows 98 there was a program that could
be
installed and do exactly what is happening here. But I have not
installed
any
such program here, the only recent reinstalls was Microsoft OneCare due
to
a
back up problem, but the hidden file problem started before this, and
as I
said I have tried all the system restores none of which cure this
problem
with not being able to view hidden files.

Paul

:

Paul ... Just a couple more questions if you don't mind. Are all
these
hidden files in the same folder? You said you moved them to another
system
and you could read them. What happens if you don't move them so far,
say
to
another folder (out from under the one(s) you are having the problem
with) ?
Can you read hidden files anyplace on your system? Can you take a
test
file
that you can read, go to it's properties and see if you have any
(view)
control over it by turning the Hidden File, Folder View option on and
off.
How does the test file view behave? I am not sure what we a looking
for
here...but we'll know it when we see it.
Bob F.

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long
enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its
contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another
folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I
have
tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is
running
the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

:

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder.
Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.*
and
press
Enter.


Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the
link
and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel
disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know
there
are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external
hard
drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe
someone
else
can help.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul
See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders
it
just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files
and
folders
the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either
I
click
apply
or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>


Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show
hidden
files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above
that
says
"Apply
to
Folders".
Bob F.

 

[Bob]

Dir /s shows the whole nine yards.

Hi, Paul.

Now, what do you see with a simple Dir? How about Dir /a?

When I opened an Administrator:Command Prompt window and tried your
attrib -h *.* (I had to add a space after the -h, as Bob instructed.) in
my C:\Windows\System32 folder I got hundreds of lines of "Access
denied..." because I was (unintentionally) telling Vista to remove the
Hidden attribute from all those system files.

So I switched to C:\ and tried it again. This time, I got just two lines:
C:\>attrib -h *.*
Not resetting system file - C:\hiberfil.sys
Not resetting system file - C:\pagefile.sys

That's because Vista was refusing to reset the Hidden attribute for those
two system files. But now there are no hidden files on C:\ and I can see
all files and folders in C:\ by using the simple Dir command.

But if I use Dir /a, the /a shows me not just files and folders, but
Junctions, too - AND those two .sys files from which Attrib wouldn't clear
the Hidden attribute. Dir shows 1 File and 12 Directories; Dir /a shows 3
files and 16 Directories, including the Recycle Bin and System Volume
Information, which don't show with the simple Dir - even after the Hidden
attribute is removed from *.*.

So, in an Administrator:Command Prompt window, cd to the folder that holds
your hidden files. Enter Dir /a. What do you see?

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

Hello R. C. White,

I have just rebooted my computer, I have the Administrator Command Prompt
on
my screen, at this point before when I typed attrib -h*.* the screen
just
flashed, I now have text within the black screen.

There are nine lines of text all starting, Not resetting system file....

Paul

Hi, Paul.

tried the below,

You tried WHAT below?

At what point does:
a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long enough

Step by step, HOW to you open the Administrator:Command Prompt. I do
this
often and it never just "flashes". The window stays open until I
dismiss
it. And any command I run in this window "runs elevated".

In an earlier post you said:
Yes I am logged on as Administrator,

Just to be clear: Start | All Programs | Accessories, right-click on
Command Prompt, then Run as Administrator. You'll need to furnish
Administrator credentials to get past here.

Even if you are already running as AN administrator, this is what you
need
to do to open the Administrator:Command Prompt as THE Administrator. In
Vista, there really are two levels of administrator; only THIS one is
GOD.

You shouldn't really need THE Administrator credentials to run the
Attrib
command, but there may be some restrictions that you might not know
about or
might have forgotten about. But the window should stay open as long as
you
want, plenty of time to see whatever you need to see.

RC

Hi Bob,

tried the below, a black screen flashes onto the screen but not long
enough
to read any thing, but still no luck in viewing the folder and its
contents.

I have retrieved the files using Search and copied them to another
folder.

I have run every type of Anti virus, Malware, Spyware program, I have
tried
all the system restores. the only other thing I can think of is
running
the
recovery program.

But any other ideas before I go for that.

Paul

:

Try this.
Open an administrator command prompt and navigate to the folder. Type
attrib -h *.* and press Enter.

Or open an administrator command prompt. Type [path] attrib -h *.*
and
press
Enter.


Hello Bob F.
Yes I am logged on as Administrator, and I have followed the link
and
followed the instructions, the icons in the Control panel
disappear
briefly
when I click Apply but when I go to the folder where I know there
are
hidden
files there is nothing, If I copy this folder to an external hard
drive
and
then connect it to another computer I can view the files.
Paul

I am out of ideas. I've never had these steps fail. Maybe someone
else
can help.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.
The box you indicated is greyed out.

Paul
See:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Note items 6 and 7.
Bob F.


:

Hi Bob F.

I can not uncheck the Do Not Show Hidden files or folders it
just
highlites
the text, if I click on the line below Show hidden files and
folders
the
blue
marker moves to show it has been selected but when either I
click
apply
or
ok
I get the same result I can not view hidden files.>>


Ok you are about there. You are right. Just click on "Show
hidden
files
and folders" Then what I left out was:
Hit the first rectangular box, in the View Window, above that
says
"Apply
to
Folders".
Bob F.