Vista Tutorial - Hidden Files and Folders Option - Add or Remove

**Brink** · **OPTION ONE:**

How to Add or Remove the Hidden Files and Folders Option in Vista

Information

This will show you how to Add or Remove the show Hidden Files and Folders option in Folder Options for all user account on the computer.

NOTE

The Hidden Files and Folders option is added to Folder Options by default.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Hidden Files and Folders Option Added and Removed
NOTE: You will need to close and reopen Folder Options to see the changes made below.

OPTION ONE:
Through a Download

1. To Add Hidden Files and Folders Option -
NOTE: This reg download containd the entire contents of the Hidden key, including the NOHIDDEN and SHOWALL subkeys, for a full restore of the Hidden files and folders option.
WARNING: If you have get a black square(s) instead of the check box next to Hidden files and folders, then use Radio instead of Group in the OPTION TWO (step 6) below to not have the black square.
A) Click on the download button below to download the
Add_Hidden_Files_Folder.reg file.
B) Go to step 3.

2. To Remove Hidden Files and Folders Option -
A) Click on the download button below to download the
Remove_Hidden_Files_Folder.reg file.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.
5. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).
8. Close and reopen Folder Options.

OPTION TWO:
The Manual Way

NOTE: For a full restore of the Hidden files and folders option that includes the entire contents of the Hidden key with the NOHIDDEN and SHOWALL subkeys, see Option One.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click the Continue button in the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden

5. In the right pane, right click on Type and click on Modify.
NOTE: If Type is not there, then right click on a empty area of the right pane and click on New and String Value, then type Type and press Enter.

6. To Add Hidden Files and Folders Option -
A) Type group and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
WARNING: If you get or have a black square(s) instead of the check box for the Hidden files and folders option, then type Radio instead and click on OK.

7. To Remove Hidden Files and Folders Option -
A) Clear group and leave the field empty. (See screenshot below)
B) Click on OK.

8. Close regedit.
9. Close and reopen Folder Options.

That's it,
Shawn

Herpes · 07-01-2008

i did all the steps but still not working... and i made sure that the registery key is there but with still not working

**Brink** · 07-01-2008

Hi Herpes,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Was there anything that you installed or changed that you remember before this happened?

Since the above did not help, then you might do a System Restore using a restore point dated before this problem. This tutorial will show you how to if needed.

System Restore - How to

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**al firdauz** · 07-26-2008

There was a missing key and cause that things happen. By using the manual method, follow the step above until step 4, then click to SHOWALL.

(if you compare between SHOWALL and NOHIDDEN right pane, SHOWALL had missing CheckedValue key)

You can create that key by right click on the right pane(on SHOWALL right pane) > New > select DWORD (32-bit) value, then rename it as CheckedValue, then modify the value data to "1" (right click then choose modify).

Close regedit.

Check whether your Show hidden files is there or not.

Give your comment ok....

dopolina · 08-13-2008

HELLOOO im new!! i came across this site looking for help on this topic, all the information is very helpfull and it work, except now i have 2 dark squares infront of the options to hidde and unhidde and it's not allowing me to select either one of the, i have some important information on a couple of hidden folders that i need for finals and im desperate, thankssss

**Brink** · 08-13-2008

Hi Dopolina, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Can you post a screenshot of this to help narrow down the possibilities?

Do you know the name and full path of the hidden file? If so, post it back, and I will post back a command that you can use the command prompt to manually unhide that file.

Thank you,
Shawn

**al firdauz** · 08-17-2008

those 2 dark squares happen if you try to change the value for Type key.. don't change it to group and don't leave it blank. Just set it as radio because radio was a default setting.

**Brink** · 08-17-2008

Hi Al Firdauz,

Strange, I have group as the default value for Type, not radio. Anyone else?

Thank you,
Shawn

**al firdauz** · 08-17-2008

Did you have any problem with the options for "hidden files" and "show hidden files" at folder option? The dark squares did not appear? My default is radio. If I try to change it to group the selection for "Do not show hidden files and folders" become a dark square.

**Brink** · 08-17-2008

I did not have any problems with dark squares in Folder Options with it set as group. When it was set as blank, I just did not have the options in Folder Options.