Show File Extensions and Hidden Files for all Users


  1. Cosmo12
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       New #1

    Show File Extensions and Hidden Files for all Users


    Hi,

    I am trying to change the registry to show hidden files/extensions.
    This is for an unattended install, so I don't want to do it manually for each user. I know I can change the registry for the current user, but I can't seem to find out how to do this system wide. I need to show hidden files and file extensions for all users, such as when a new user account is created, extensions and hidden files are shown.

    Is there a way to do this system wide?

    I have tried adding the dword following entries:
    Hidden (Value=1) & HideFileExt(HideFileExt=0) to the below locations in the registry

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

    I read that if you change HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\NoHidden & HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\HideFileExt to the above values it should change the default key for HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced (Hidden & HideFileExt)

    None of the HKLM entries I have tried as above appear to work.
    Is there actually a way to change this system wide?
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  3. Tews
    Posts : 11,840
    64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro
       New #2

    Code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"HideFileExt"=dword:00000000
"Hidden"=dword:00000001
    show and hide files is a profile specific key and therefore can be modified by user accounts. if you would like to change the default, navigate to key:
    HKLM\software\microsoft\windows\current version\explorer\advanced\folder\hidden and \hidefileext
    there are keys in there that set default behaviors.
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  4. Cosmo12
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Which key and what value in \HideFileExt & \Hidden requires changing?
    Does this change the default value for the profile specific values under HKCU?

    I did already try to change/create every value that appeared applicable, none of the values I changed under HKLM had any affect. I assumed the values are the same as when changing this under HKCU and did change the dwords to the same.
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  6. Kari
    Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       New #4

    I would do this by customizing the default user profile, simply selecting Show hidden files and folders and Show extensions in folder options and copying this setting to default user profile which is then used in all future user accounts.

    See the Seven Forums tutorial for customizing the default user profile: User Profile - Customize During Installation

    However, as Tews mentioned, users can always change this setting.
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  7. Cosmo12
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Ok, thanks. As long as I can show hidden files and extensions when a user logs in for the first time, that is all I want to do.
    I'll try customising the default profile.

    It's not possible to change this system wide via the registry?
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