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When you work in IT, you’re usually not just just dealing with data files. I need to work with application files, system files, profile files, etc. every day. By default, Vista, like XP before it, hides many of those files. One of the first things I do when I setup a machine that I’ll be working on is ‘unhide’ all of the files (and the extensions on the filenames).
I looked in the same place I’m used to doing this in XP (Tools menu, Folder Options, then the View tab), but the option isn’t there in Vista. Time to poke around a bit! It didn’t take to long before I found where they moved the setting. Here’s how to reveal some of those things Microsoft loves to keep hidden:
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Open any Explorer window (e.g. Go into the Start menu and choose Computer).
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Click on the Organize button choose Folder and Search Options.
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In the Folder Options window, there are three settings I generally change: Hidden files and folders, Hide extensions for known file types, and Hide protected operating system files. Change the settings to best suite you.
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If you choose to show protected operating system files, you’ll get a confirmation window asking if you’re sure about it.
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Notice that in the same folder shown above, you can now see the AppData folder (useful if you need to access your %temp% folder, or preferences stored by many applications), as well as the ntuser.dat files.
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Comments
cquinnd
Dec 27, 2006 at 12:45 pm
FWIW, they didn’t move the setting.
You have to tap the ALT button to get Vista to show the old menu bar from past Windows versions, to get to it the old way.
The method you document here works just as well though.
jpfieber
Dec 27, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Ahh, just tried it and you are right. Like IE7, the ALT key reveals the hidden menus. Yet another way to unhide the option to unhide the files, Thanks!
RJ
Jun 18, 2007 at 10:40 am
Another way is to click on Start and in the Start Search box, type Folder Options and hit enter
roysubs
Sep 16, 2007 at 6:56 am
Like you jpfieber, it took me a little while to notice that ALT pops up the toolbar. Here is another thing that is not totally obvious … in the Folder Options dialogue try out the new “Always show menus” option to always have the menus back (my preference is to always keep this turned, though I’m sure using ALT a lot is fine for others).
roysubs
Sep 16, 2007 at 7:01 am
related problem to this post. when you show all hidden files, 2x greyed out desktop.ini files appear on the desktop. I want to see hidden files at all times, but on the desktop frankly, this looks *nasty*. does anyone have a solution ? can these files be safely deleted ? i don’t want to mess with the OS by doing that really, but would if it’s safe and means i can have a clean desktop ?
V
Oct 19, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Thank you!!!!
The hard drive says its full, but it isnt.. - Xbox 360 Forum
Apr 13, 2008 at 6:18 pm
[...] files. Go here and it will show you how to reveal them. I reckon it’s a HP recovery data set. ITsVISTA Tip 11: Reveal the Files Vista Tries to Keep Hidden | ITsVISTA __________________ [...]
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