Unable to set Show Hidden Folders

When my new computer running Windows 7 was delivered 10 days ago, Show Hidden Folders, was set on all of the Users, and the hidden folders were visible.
Since then I've been getting used to Windows 7 and installing various applications which I use.
I have now found that the radio button in the Folder Options window, View tab still shows that it is set to "Show hidden folders, files and drives" on all three Users, but in two of the Users none of the hidden folders are visible!
I am not aware of having done anything to change the setting (although I did alter some of the other options in the View tab on one of the affected Users).
How can I get the hidden folders visible again?

Thanks for your suggestions richc46, and agree that the second one appears to cover what I need to do.

However, I had already looked at both these tutorials, and they don't help.

The problem is that the Folder Options screen shows the hidden folders as being visible, but they are not!

I have tried switching the option to hidden and rebooting in the hope that this would bring the actual setting in line with what is shown in the Folder Options screen, but on restarting it has reverted to Show hidden files, folders and drives being dotted in the Folder Options screen, but the folders are still hidden.

severedsolo said:

are the 2 accounts which cant view them standard user accounts, and the one that can administrator? if so, that is your problem

One of the accounts which cannot view them is an Administrator, as is the one which can.

richc46 said:

If it just started a day or two ago, try system restore. Then install your apps and programs one at a time, one of the probably caused the problem.

The oldest restore point is on Friday, and the problems started before then, although I did not notice when. I think it may have been when I tried to install a free app called Hide Folders. When I ran the installer the system crashed, and I had to do a system restore in safe mode.

richc46 said:

Type cmd in search do not hit enter, right click run as administrator

In cmd type sfc /scannow. If you find errors run it a few times

It may correct corrupted files.

I had tried this, and it did not find any errors.

However, I have realised that after the crash I referred to in my last post I installed a different app for the same purpose, Free Hide Folder, which appeared to be working correctly.

I have now uninstalled that, and it appears to have solved the problem. I shall have to contact their support desk to see if they can solve the problem, or else use TrueCrypt, which has a good reputation, although it is rather overkill for my needs.

Many thanks for your assistance, which pointed me in the right direction of thinking what else I had installed that might be causing the problem.