padlocks and disappearing files

Gudday,

I wasn't exactly sure where to post this but after countless searches I couldn't find any reference to a certain part of this problem so here I am registered and asking:

During a late night downloading small game mods, I made a download file, however, I am consciously aware that after creating the file, typing in the name and then going to click to enter the file, I right mouse buttoned by accident and or course in the milisecond that it took to press the left mouse button after, I noted that the RMB list popped up and some random thing was selected after which point a padlock appeared on the file. I thought nothing of it and went on downloading into the file I'd created. A few files later I decided to install the files to make sure they didn't do anything weird or crash the game. But upon searching for the file, it wasn't there. Assuming that it was hidden or something and completely disinterested with messing around with settings at that hour of the morning, I created a new file which appeared without a padlock in an attempt to redownload some of the files. However, now the downloaded files each had padlocks and upon searching didn't appear.
So at this point, I did some searches and found the padlock was a sharing mechansim, everything saying right click on the file and click share with everyone. However, I couldn't click on the files as they weren't there.
I went to download another thing in order to bring up the 'save as' screen where all the invisible items were displayed and then used the share with everyone option in that box. The padlocks disappeared but I got a truely helpful message saying 'Your file can't be shared.' No reason as to why, just that. But even with the padlocks gone, the files are still invisible on any search.
I Used the show hidden files option in Computer Options and unchecked the hide system files, etc. Nothing is hidden in the options panel.
If I attempt to right click and change the security settings or set owner etc on any of the hidden files, from the save as box, it says the file can not be found.
So, now I'm just exhausted and disappointed that Microsoft as per usual fills their OS with this non-intuative ****, making simple tasks ever more difficult.
Any help would be truely appreciated.

Ta

You've allowed sharing of the file. Have you set up Homegroup and do you have a network?

Erm... I've no idea. I'm guessing home group. I had no luck setting up a network due to issues with win 7 not recognising wireless gear.

What was the file? Check network for anything shared and type fsmgmt.msc into the start menu and look in the left pane for what is shared.

The File was simply a file called DL2 containing a few zip file.
Shared content includes a couple of the root files as I was hoping, perhaps stupidly that by 'sharing' higher up it might make sub dirs visible.

Do you see it in fsmgmt.msc?

no it's not there

On the left pane, can you open up the arrows?

You mean the individual options in the left pane. Yes if that's what you mean, no it's not there

Can you reboot into safe mode with the hidden files option off?