Show hidden files --> Files now missing


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home x64
       #1

    Show hidden files --> Files now missing


    Hello friends,

    I am in a bit of a bind. I simply clicked the "show hidden files" option on my C:/Users folder. Inside of 20 seconds, my libraries are all rearranged and none of my files are where I put them originally. They have seemingly vanished.

    I downloaded ShadowExplorer and thankfully confirmed that I can still open my files when I refer back to an earlier restore point within the program, but when I go to restore the files, they don't go back to where I send them. I don't know where my files are, nor how to access them outside of this ShadowExplorer program.

    I did try a regular 'ol Windows system restore, but those don't affect files, so the problem remains. Anyone have any idea what the hell I did and how I might go about fixing it?

    Thank you immensely for your consideration.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 72,046
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Snapdragon, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    If you have not already, see if checking the "don't show hidden files" option will revert them back to how you had them before.

    Double check the libraries to make sure that the folders you had included in them are still included.

    In addition, see if setting each library to View -> "Sort by -> Name", "Group by -> (None)", and "Arrange by -> Folder" may reveal them.
    Hope this helps for now, :)
    Shawn
      My Computer


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

    Ah ha! It would seem that all of my files are now hidden, and clicking "show hidden files" in my Libraries reveals them. Now, how I managed to hide ALL MY FILES when I had intended to just see hidden ones is really quite beyond me, but I am hugely relieved. Is there a way to mass unhide files?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 72,046
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    Ooops. If you like, you could add Hidden File Attributes and Hidden Folder Attributes to the context menu in the tutorial below to make it easier and faster to unhide them.

    File and Folder - Add "Hide" and "Unhide" to Context Menu
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I'd like to thank you for your help :) Thus ends this chapter of "The problem between the chair and the screen", thanks for tuning in, kids!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 72,046
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    You're most welcome. I'm glad you got them sorted. :)
      My Computer


 

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