System Folders Invisible Despite Settings in Folder Management

aggielaw · 28 Nov 2017

Hi all. I've just spent several hours trying to delete my idstore.sst in the PeerNetworking folder. I managed to find the file, although I don't recall how I found it, unfortunately).

My problem, though, is that despite having "show hidden files" checked and "hide system files and folders" and "hide empty folders" unchecked I still cannot see certain system folders, such as PeerNetworking.

In what I suspect is a related issue, CCleaner pointed me to some temp files I could delete. I tried to navigate to the files, but the containing folders below appdata/local/microsoft did not appear. When I navigated backward using the address bar the folders show as empty even though they are not.

Also, none of these folders or files appear in a search.

I've attached screenshots of PeerNetworking not appearing in file explorer or when searched for when I search the c: drive for it.

Any advice on what the problem is would be greatly appreciated!

TechnoMage2016 · 28 Nov 2017

Stuff Happens! Right?

And since no two computers are ever exactly alike, hitting the right fix for yours might take some doing.

But, just let me say, that within the first five minutes after I install an OS, (anything from XP to 10) I run a little script to "Show Hidden files". Here's that vb script:

' Script to toggle Windows Explorer display of hidden files,
' super-hidden files, and file name extensions

Option Explicit
Dim dblHiddenData, strHiddenKey, strSuperHiddenKey, strFileExtKey
Dim strKey, WshShell
On Error Resume Next

strKey = "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced"
strHiddenKey = strKey & "\Hidden"
strSuperHiddenKey = strKey & "\ShowSuperHidden"
strFileExtKey = strKey & "\HideFileExt"

Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
dblHiddenData = WshShell.RegRead(strHiddenKey)

If dblHiddenData = 2 Then
WshShell.RegWrite strHiddenKey, 1, "REG_DWORD"
WshShell.RegWrite strSuperHiddenKey, 1, "REG_DWORD"
WshShell.RegWrite strFileExtKey, 0, "REG_DWORD"
WScript.Echo "Windows Explorer will show hidden files and file " & _
"name extensions. You might need to change to another folder " & _
"or press F5 to refresh the view for the change to take effect."

Else
WshShell.RegWrite strHiddenKey, 2, "REG_DWORD"
WshShell.RegWrite strSuperHiddenKey, 0, "REG_DWORD"
WshShell.RegWrite strFileExtKey, 1, "REG_DWORD"
WScript.Echo "Windows Explorer will not show hidden files or file " & _
"name extensions. (These are the default settings.) You might " & _
"need to change to another folder or press F5 to refresh the " & _
"view for the change to take effect."

End If

This script 'Toggles' the action, so if I ever want to UNDO what I did the first time I ran the script, I just run it again and it UN-Does the "Show Hidden Files" action.

After that, I have NO problems seeing or working with system files.

The second thing I would normally run is a little utility called "Grant Admin Full Control".
I call that "Take Ownership" on steroids!

That allows me to fully take ownership of any file or folder in the PC. It runs from the Right Click context menu.
"Grand Admin Full control" is easy to find and down load from the internet.
Grant Admin Full Control - Download

Just out of the box, Most versions of Windows are a real DOG! They are all loaded with SAFE Defaults and a lot of restricted access. It does take some Tweaking and Tuning to get it to where it's User Friendly. On my own PC, I'm the builder, I'm the owner, and I'm the only operator and absolutely Nothing can tell me "you don't have permission......". I also disable UAC. What a POC that is!!! That's just how I roll!

Good Luck Mate!
Happy Holidays!
TechnoMage