Vista - Cannot change attribute of a folder

A user folder (C:\Users\<username>) is marked as hidden and the hidden
setting is grayed out. I tried to change it while logged as that same user
and also as administrator, but it stays grayed out. Also tried using ATTRIB,
but result the same. The owner of the folder is listed as SYSTEM, same as in
case of all other folders, but only this one is presenting this strange
behavior.

How can I re-gain access to the hidden attribute setting?

Jerry

What is the name of the folder?

If this is one of the folders that starts with the "MY" name (ie: My
Documents, My Pictures, etc.) then this is normal behavior. This is not an
actual folder, but a Junction. It is only there for backward compatibility
with legacy programs that are looking for that name.

The "MY" designation for folders has been dropped in Vista and folder names
are different. Take a look at the following website for a complete
explanation. This website has a list of all the changed folder names and
their new name/location in Vista.

Svrops.com - Windows Vista Junction Points:
http://www.svrops.com/svrops/articles/jpoints.htm


--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Jerry" <duncan_jeremy@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:CEE9E9AF-62C4-4516-8D09-7CA07D2E2D2C@xxxxxx

No, this is a user "home" folder. Not a junction. I have several users on
this PC and all have their folders in C:\Users, created by the system at the
time when users have been defined, like this:

C:\Users\<username1>, C:\Users\<username2>, C:\Users\<username3>, etc.

Except for this particular folder (say, C:\Users\<username2>), for all
others I can change the hidden attribute. Only this one has the attribute
check box grayed out, therefore inaccessible. To its legitimate owner, to
the administrator, to all. Running ATTRIB under DOS prompt doesn't work
either.






"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <rv@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6E944846-9463-407B-9853-3C41AB22E698@xxxxxx

I'm not sure how your user folders are becoming hidden, but try this:

Open Command Prompt, by right-clicking on it and choosing Run as
Administrator. At the prompt, type:

attrib -s -h -r "C:\Users\exampleusername"

Press Enter. This will restore the default attributes of a user folder, and
"ungray" the hidden attribute in Properties...


"Jerry" <duncan_jeremy@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:354C46B3-6436-4F73-B882-DC148F500B9A@xxxxxx

That worked!
Thank you very much!
When I was trying with ATTRIB, I only used the -h switch, and that didn't
work.
Thanks a lot again.


"dean-dean" <dean-dean@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23OPu1T$8HHA.5456@xxxxxx

Any recommendations if this doesn't work? I have a problem with ONLY my "my pictures" folder, not my entire user folder. I have tried this on the my pictur e folder, but it doesn't work.

The hidden button is still checked, and it is still grayed out.

Hello. I am having a very similar problem. I've installed Vista on a new laptop, and then tried to move the Pictures folder from its default position in C:\Users\David to E:\Pictures using the Location tab in Properties. However, the first time I tried this I accidentally moved it to the root folder of E:\. I used regedit to reset the location to the default, and then moved it to E:\Pictures. However, the Pictures folder is now hidden and the check box is greyed out. I have tried using the techniques above, but to no avail.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks.

Dave