Show Hidden Files and Folders Option Missing or Does Not Work

The hidden files and folders in Windows Explorer may not be displayed even though you enable the Show hidden files and folders option in the Folder Options. The files and folders can be viewed when using search, or using the DIR /A command from the Command Prompt window.

Also, when you go to open the Folder Options and click the View tab, both the radio buttons Do not show hidden files and folders and Show hidden files and folders may be enabled.

The above symptoms occur if the system is infected by Malware, which modifies the CheckedValue registry value in these branches:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced \ Folder \ Hidden \ NOHIDDEN

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced \ Folder \ Hidden \ SHOWALL

This ploy is used by many Viruses, so that the hidden file (malicious executable or script) won’t be displayed in Explorer. (REF Google Search Results). Also note that some Viruses remove the above option altogether from the View tab of Folder Options applet.

Registry Fix

To fix the above setting, download foldersettings.reg and save to Desktop. Right-click on the file and choose Merge. This fix can be applied in Windows XP as well as in Windows Vista systems.

Reconfigure the Show hidden files and folders option now. Then update your anti-virus software and run a full system scan. And don’t forget to follow-up with a thorough checkup for Malware.

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68 Comments

Shantanu

said this on Saturday, August 16th 2008 10:23 pm

thanks a lot…..i’ve been trying 2 fix this problem from 2 months n finally achieved whit ur help.
kagan

said this on Wednesday, August 13th 2008 3:29 am

when i try to to execute file it warns me that the administrator dont let me do this.can you help me ?
thnx for your help…
Dion

said this on Tuesday, August 12th 2008 5:33 am

Thanks for this post, saved me from a lot of trouble. Some kind of spyware/virus managed to get onto my computer. Spybot Search & Destroy took care of it, but it had removed the “Show Hidden Files & Folders” from my system completely, including all the registry entries. This saved me, thanks!!!
floalma

said this on Sunday, August 10th 2008 1:56 am

Your solution works perfectly.

It’s so simple, I downloaded foldersettings.reg and, then, I executed the file, tht’s all.

I was working a solution from different forum and links, but no one was working until I discovered your solved suggestion.

Thanks !!!
Boy Andrea

said this on Thursday, August 7th 2008 2:14 pm

Thank you. For a long time I was looking for this solution.
My problem is fixed.
Thanks again.
Emma Sweep

said this on Sunday, August 3rd 2008 5:00 am

Finally a solution that actually worked!
Thank you!!!

Regards,
Emma
neerja

said this on Friday, July 11th 2008 3:20 am

thanks…i was lookin for the solution for a long time
and finally the problem is fixed
thanks a lot
Shams

said this on Wednesday, July 9th 2008 3:13 pm

Hi,
Regretfully, your fix didn’t solve my problem.

BitDefender detected the Trojan.Spy.Wsnpoem.DT,which couln’t eliminate. Because it’s in my e-mail archieve files. But I can’t see tha hidden files to access the archive and unfortunately your registry download fix was also ineffective in fixing my hidden files problem. please help and respond if you can.

Regards
Malek
Geneva, Switzerland
Nimit

said this on Tuesday, May 13th 2008 4:22 pm

Thank You …. for giving this solution.
But this folder setting can’t seen hidden folders in PEN Drive.,
So plz tell me how can i saw my hidden folders in pen drive that hidden due to virus ….
Munawar Hussain

said this on Thursday, April 17th 2008 12:45 am

Your this advise helped me, and now I can see hidden file and folders, Thanks