How to enable 'show hidden files and folders' option

Another kind of pc issue you are facing is unable to view hidden files of your computer. Even if you select the option 'Show hidden files and folders' at folder options, you cannot see those. If you go back again and check the folder options you will see still 'Do not show hidden files and folders' selected. Your requested changes have not been made.



Some malware can modify Windows settings to disable or prevent users to change setting of Show Hidden Files and Folders under folder options. Even your virus guard remove those suspicious files and clean, the damage caused by the virus cannot be undone. There are few methods to repair those errors in your computer. Following methods will help you regain access or modify and save the settings, which were damaged by some attacks.

Method 1
The most effective way is restoring your system. Using system Restore you can undo all the changes that were made to windows registry to the system. No harm to your files at all. If you don't want you can cancel restoration later too.

Before restoring your system you must be remember the date of your computer affected. So you can restore your system into a prior date. If you do not remember it's better to guess a date and try or use other methods.

To restore your system:

• Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> System Restore
• Click next on the opening restore dialog box.
• Select 'Restore my computer to an earlier time' option and click Next.
• The you will get date which restoration can be done. Dates in BOLD are the system checkpoints which you will be able to restore.
• Select a date before you computer infected and proceed.
• The system will restarts and you have to wait few minutes to complete the restoration process.

Note : If you use kaspersky virusguard you must disable the option 'Enable self defense' at the settings of virus guard. Otherwise restoration process will not work and you will get "Restoration Incomplete" message.


Method 2
Modifying windows registry

• Go to Start --> Run
• Type regedit in the text box and press enter. (Registry Editor will be open)
• On Registry Editor navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE --> Software --> Microsoft --> Windows --> CurrentVersion --> Explorer --> Advanced --> Folder -->Hidden --> Show All
• On the right pane delete the value with
• Name : CheckedValue
• Type: REG_SZ
• Data : 2
• Create a new DWORD. Right-click on the right pane --> New -->DWORD Value
• Add following values
• Name : CheckedValue
• Type: REG_DWORD
• Data : 1

That's it. Now you may view your hidden files.

Method 3

• Open Notepad
• Copy following code and paste in Notepad. (Only the blue color text)
  

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden]
“Text”=”@shell32.dll,-30499″
“Type”=”group”
“Bitmap”=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,\
00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,53,00,\
48,00,45,00,4c,00,4c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,34,00,00,\
00
“HelpID”=”shell.hlp#51131″

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\NOHIDDEN]
“RegPath”=”Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced”
“Text”=”@shell32.dll,-30501″
“Type”=”radio”
“CheckedValue”=dword:00000002
“ValueName”=”Hidden”
“DefaultValue”=dword:00000002
“HKeyRoot”=dword:80000001
“HelpID”=”shell.hlp#51104″

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL]
“RegPath”=”Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced”
“Text”=”@shell32.dll,-30500″
“Type”=”radio”
“CheckedValue”=dword:00000001
“ValueName”=”Hidden”
“DefaultValue”=dword:00000002
“HKeyRoot”=dword:80000001
“HelpID”=”shell.hlp#51105″

• Save Notepad file as "folderoption.reg" into the desktop
• Close Notepad and double click "folderoption.reg" on the desktop
• Click "Yes" for the message.
• A confirmation message will display and click on "OK"
• Now check your folder options to view hidden files.