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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56 Responses to “Show Hidden Files and Folders Option Missing or Does Not Work”

balu

said this on Wednesday, May 27th 2009 10:10 pm

thanks buddy…. now its working fine…..
omar

said this on Tuesday, May 19th 2009 4:20 am

thank you very much ya man
Hassan

said this on Saturday, May 16th 2009 10:37 pm

U r great man Thanks for the registry file.

I love u man,
niko

said this on Saturday, May 16th 2009 11:42 am

thanx it’s work, u save my life
Shakil

said this on Tuesday, April 28th 2009 9:07 pm

thanks its worked but am i virus free now. i use AVG free. still got infected…
asep

said this on Tuesday, April 21st 2009 9:51 am

thanx for the foldersettings.reg registry.. it really works for my laptop
Halley

said this on Thursday, April 16th 2009 8:21 am

finally my problem solved ^^ thx…
ilker erdogdu

said this on Friday, April 10th 2009 2:33 am

i have downloaded the file foldersettings.reg and activated. but still didn`t help me. please help me what should i do. i cannot see the hidden folders. even i tried to do from tools/view.
mbr

said this on Thursday, April 2nd 2009 11:55 am

Thank you so much…I can see my hidden file and folders again…
Thanks…
Amy

said this on Wednesday, April 1st 2009 12:29 pm

This is very, very helpful. Thank you so much.

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