Member Avatar for haven_u

I am working on Windows XP and I select the hidden properties for some of my folders on my desktop and i can't view them even trying to show hidden files and folder options.... please can someone help me out with this... thanks a million in advace..

  • 5 Contributors
  • 6 Replies
  • 274 Views
  • 16 Hours Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by barryt

Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and what to check first: the Desktop in Windows XP is stored inside each user profile, so creating a new account will not automatically show the old account’s Desktop items — they remain under C:\Documents and Settings\<olduser>\Desktop. Also, many of the fixes below require Administrator rights (as suggested). Verify which account you’re actually using before changing anything. (learn.microsoft.com)

If folders are present but look “ghosted” or still don’t appear in Explorer, try the built‑in Folder Options first (Tools → Folder Options → View → Show hidden files and folders and clear “Hide protected operating system files”). If that still doesn’t reveal them they may have both the Hidden and System attributes set — Explorer won’t show those until you clear the System bit. From an Administrator command prompt you can run (replace OldUser with the real name): 

cd "C:\Documents and Settings\OldUser\Desktop"
attrib -s -h *.* /s /d

That clears System and Hidden recursively; attrib is the standard Windows tool for this.

If Folder Options are missing, grayed out, or keep reverting, a policy/registry entry (for example NoFolderOptions) or malware may be forcing the setting. Check HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer for NoFolderOptions and remove/set it to 0 if you did not intend the restriction. Re‑registering the shell UI DLLs sometimes restores the options (example commands shown below); back up the registry before editing it. 

regsvr32 /i browseui.dll
regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

Be careful — export any registry branch you change first. (winhelponline.com)

If files are visible but you can’t open or move them, fix NTFS ownership/permissions: Properties → Security → Advanced → Owner → change to your Admin account and check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.” If there’s a chance of infection (several replies here suggested that), boot Safe Mode and run updated on‑demand scanners — or copy important files off with a Linux live USB before doing repair/reinstall. (flylib.com)

Notes tied to thread replies: and flagged malware as a possible cause — that can and does hide files, but follow the checklist above (profile path → attributes → registry/policy → ownership → offline scans) so you don’t lose data by reacting too quickly.

Recommended Answers

All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

Are you logged in with Administrator privileges ?

Member Avatar for haven_u

maybe Not. i created a new account and thats the account that iam using...

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

Log in as Administrater and you should be able to see the hidden files/directories.

Member Avatar for mdk2k4

If you still can´t see hidden files and folder, you are infected. Solution:download smart virus remover(http://www.technize.com/download/6)run the first option (Delete autorun inf. files)then the third option,(also in safe mode).then the second option(restore windows defaul settings) this should solve your problem. Then after that download Malwarebytes.org the free version to finish eliminating the rest of the viruses. see if you could find no adware and run it too. look for Glary Utilities to fix windows errors. and then after that google ComboFix, all this should clean completely your system, don´t forget to also run your antivirus(McaFee). Good luck, if you do all this you´ll have a smooth running machine.
By the way make sure you run all this 2 to 3 times over, just to make sure.

Member Avatar for awwen

search/advance search/all hidden files. you infected by virus download trojan remover it repair all bug of your computer cause by virus.

Member Avatar for barryt

you have the amvo virus
go to

and download kill_amvo_virus_usb_en.vbs script it only 7.83KB and it works!!!
barry

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.