Vista Tutorial - Hidden Files and Folders

**Brink** · **OPTION ONE:**

How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista

Information

A hidden file or folder is just like any other file or folder except that it is hidden from normal view. When you have them set to show, they show as transparent to indicate that they are a hidden file or folder. Protected System files are also hidden to help prevent you from accidentally altering them. These are set to be hidden by default in Vista.

WARNING

It is best to not touch the system files unless you know what you are doing. Doing so can result in having to reinstall Vista.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: A Hidden and Normal Folder

OPTION ONE:
How to Hide or Unhide a File and Folder in Vista

Tip

You can manually hide rarely used files or folders to reduce clutter, but keep in mind that hidden files still take up space on your hard drive.

1. Right click on the file or folder and click on Properties.

2. Click the General tab. (See screenshot below)

3. To Hide the File or Folder -
A) Check the Hidden box. (See left screenshot below step 5)

B) Go to step 5.

4. To Unhide the File or Folder -
A) Uncheck the Hidden box. (See left screenshot below step 5)
NOTE: Since the file or folder is hidden, you will need to do step 2 in OPTION TWO below to see it. The Protected operating system files and folders Hidden box is grayed out and cannot be unchecked. (See right screenshot below step 5)

5. Click on OK to apply and close properties.
NOTE: If the changes will not apply, then make sure it is temporarily not set as read-only.

OPTION TWO
Show or Hide All Hidden Files and Folders in Vista

NOTE

If the Show and Hide options are not in Folder Options, then see: How to Add or Remove the Hidden Files and Folders Option in Vista

1. Open Folder Options.

2. To Show Only the Hidden System Files and Folders -
NOTE: These are system files and folders, and any file or folder that you hidden manually.
A) Select (dot) Show hidden files and folders. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

3. To Hide All Hidden System Files and Folders -
NOTE: These are the system files and folders, and any file or folder that you hidden manually.
A) Select (dot) Do not show hidden files and folders. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

4. To Show the Protected Operating System Files -
WARNING: These should not be altered unless you know what you are doing. Doing so can result in having to do a reinstall of Vista.
A) Do step 2.

B) Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) box. (See screenshot below step 6)

C) Click on Yes for the confirmation prompt. (See screenshot below)

5. To Hide Only the Protected Operating System Files -
NOTE: For example, these include the desktop.ini files.
A) Check the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) box. (See screenshot below step 6)

6. Click on OK to apply and close Folder Options window.

That's it,
Shawn

**shaazhussain** · 12-25-2007

Hi Shawn,

I did exactly as mentioned above. The settings changed back once again as soon as i clicked on "OK".

**Brink** · 12-25-2007

Shaazhussain,

Try running a sfc /scannow command to see if it can find and fix the problem. This will show you how.

How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker

If that does not help, then you can do a Repair install if you have a Vista Express or Retail installation DVD. This will allow you to repair your Vista installation without losing your files, settings, and programs. You can see how to do one here.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

Shawn

**shaazhussain** · 12-25-2007

Shawn,

Would this require a vista cd?

**Brink** · 12-25-2007

Yes, the Repair install will.

**shaazhussain** · 12-25-2007

Oops, i dont have one. Mine came preinstalled with my HP laptop

**Brink** · 12-25-2007

Well Shaaz,

You can see if a simple restart will clear the error, then do the sfc /scannow if not. You can also do a System Restore. Just select a restore point dated right before the problem occured. However, it will also undo everything you did after the date of the selected restore point.

How to Do a System Restore in Vista

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**Merrick001** · 11-13-2008

Yeah I got the same problem with documents. Did all of the above, I googled the hell out of it, but to no avail. The stupid folder continues to be yellow.

**Brink** · 11-13-2008

Hello Merrick,

You would want to see this tutorial instead.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

12-25-2007
shaazhussain Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Windows Vista Home Premium 5 posts	Re: Hidden Files and Folders Hi Shawn, I did exactly as mentioned above. The settings changed back once again as soon as i clicked on "OK".
My System Specs

12-25-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,801 posts	Re: Hidden Files and Folders Shaazhussain, Try running a sfc /scannow command to see if it can find and fix the problem. This will show you how. How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker If that does not help, then you can do a Repair install if you have a Vista Express or Retail installation DVD. This will allow you to repair your Vista installation without losing your files, settings, and programs. You can see how to do one here. How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista Shawn
My System Specs

12-25-2007
shaazhussain Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Windows Vista Home Premium 5 posts	Re: Hidden Files and Folders Shawn, Would this require a vista cd?
My System Specs

12-25-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,801 posts	Re: Hidden Files and Folders Yes, the Repair install will.
My System Specs

12-25-2007
shaazhussain Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Windows Vista Home Premium 5 posts	Re: Hidden Files and Folders Oops, i dont have one. Mine came preinstalled with my HP laptop
My System Specs

12-25-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,801 posts	Re: Hidden Files and Folders Well Shaaz, You can see if a simple restart will clear the error, then do the sfc /scannow if not. You can also do a System Restore. Just select a restore point dated right before the problem occured. However, it will also undo everything you did after the date of the selected restore point. How to Do a System Restore in Vista Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

11-13-2008
Merrick001 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 32bit 8 posts	Re: Hidden Files and Folders Yeah I got the same problem with documents. Did all of the above, I googled the hell out of it, but to no avail. The stupid folder continues to be yellow.
My System Specs

11-13-2008
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,801 posts	Re: Hidden Files and Folders Hello Merrick, You would want to see this tutorial instead. Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

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