Windows 7 - Hidden files issue

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  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home premium x64
       #1

    Windows 7 - Hidden files issue


    Hi, just found this site, lots of great info! Hope someone here can help me with this because i'm stuck big time.

    I was trying to display Hidden Folders/files to access an appdata folder under C:\Users\username\appdata. (it's to fix an issue with the game Dead Space 2)

    Anyway, I opened My Computer, then C drive, then Users. In here, I right clicked on empty space and opened properties. I checked 'Hidden' and apply. Said it needed administrator rights, I accepted. Then most desktop items disappeared, most files from my documents disappeared and after reboot, The ATI catalyst control centre is popping up an error message saying 'failed to start'.

    I realised I chose to hide all the files within that folder instead of showing hidden files/folders (so so so stupid out of me!)

    I went to folder options and chose Show Hidden file and I can see them again but they have that see through look to them. ATI catalyst still won't start on reboot. I tried system restore to yesterday but still exact same.

    When I go to User Properties on the C drive again, it shows the files as Read Only and Hidden is unchecked.

    Can anyone help me get back to the way it was pleeeeeeeeeease???
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,668
    Windows 7 x64
       #2

    You can access appdata easily enough
    Just open the start bar type %appdata% in the box and hit enter, you will go directly to the appdata folder for the current user account.

    As for the read only issue.
    see the below link
    read-only files

    I don't know how you would have made everything read only but that process works...
      My Computer


  3. NoN
    Posts : 4,166
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 - x64 [Non-UEFI Boot]
       #3

    Ouch!! Bad manipulation of admin rights..

    First There's a trick call Take Ownership:
    here:
    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/11...ownership.html
    and here:
    Take Ownership Shortcut

    Sharing & Permissions:
    https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...rmissions.html

    In case you can't adjust rights:
    SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
    This should check integrity of files.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks guys!

    I don't have the laptop with me but will try later.

    When I am in Users Properties, Read Only box is checked, I will uncheck this.

    Just strange how random folders, files and desktop items became hidden and some didn't. I can change the attribute bwhen I right click on an individual file or folder but all I really want to do is undo the stupid move I made in the 1st place. Really thought System Restore would do this.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6,668
    Windows 7 x64
       #5

    This is why you should create a large restore point when the computer is working well. Seem a lot of people don't really think about restore until they need it to work.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Maguscreed said:
    This is why you should create a large restore point when the computer is working well. Seem a lot of people don't really think about restore until they need it to work.
    Exactly! Hope I can get it back to normal tomorrow. I'll be taking a lot more care then!!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4
    64 bit Windows 7 Home Premium
       #7

    Did you ever figure out how to get this back to its original state?


    I had the same problem. Was trying to get into IE 9 temporary files and because they were hidden, I went into appdata and tried to unhide the files. Now some files are available and some have disappeared. I went back in and did properties and unchecked the read only files box and that made some, but not all reappear. Please help!

    System restore does not help I think because System Restore does not do anything to your files.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,668
    Windows 7 x64
       #8

    If you think you've removed something important to windows you can try this.
    SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

    If you were just in there deleting temp files I doubt anything serious is wrong.

    If the file checker doesn't fix it, you can actually uninstall and reinstall ie from the add remove windows feature pane within programs and features.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4
    64 bit Windows 7 Home Premium
       #9

    I am not worried about deleting any systems files or anything like that. The problem is this has hidden basically all of my files in My Documents, Downloads, etc. I managed to figure out a way to change it manually for certain files I needed immediately, but is there a way to do this all at once?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6,668
    Windows 7 x64
       #10

    right clicking the root my docs folder and unticking the hidden option doesn't work?
      My Computer


 
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