Solved "AppData" folder has gone AWOL!

[nikev216]

Hello, my Windows 7 AppData folder and it's subfolders, Local, LocalLow and Roaming have gone missing from C:/Users/"My user name". They used to be visible but after a recent system restore operation they just disappeared from view.

I can still access these folders by typing %Appdata% into the search box, but can I restore them so they are viewable in the C:/Users/"My user name" directory like they were before the system restore operation.

I've tried the usual fixes of enabling "show all folders" and "show hidden files, folders, drives" under the Folder Options panel but it didn't work. I even unchecked "hide protected operating system files" temporarily just to see if that would make them visible ... it didn't work either.

any advice appreciated.

 

[EzioAuditore]

Not much sure but you can try 'Reset Folders' option from Tools menu or do a repair install if you've the disc.

 

[Lemur]

It's a hidden system folder. Under folder options choose view, show hidden...

 

[Airbot]

It's a hidden system folder. Under folder options choose view, show hidden...

Believe he mentioned that already.

 

[Lemur]

It's a hidden system folder. Under folder options choose view, show hidden...

Believe he mentioned that already.

You're right. What am I doing up 3:17 a.m.?

 

[Mikajean]

I have exactly the same problem...no fixes yet??

 

[roban]

Try this:

1. Click Start -> Run
2. Type regedit and click Ok.
3. Find the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advan ced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL
4. Look at the “CheckedValue” key… This should be a DWORD key. If it isn’t, delete the key.
5. Create a new key called “CheckedValue” as a DWORD (hexadecimal) with a value of 1.
6. The “Show hidden files & folders” check box should now work normally
7. Also change in NOHIDDEN change value to 1
8. In SHOWALL change value to 0
9. Re-check the folder options
10. now change the values to the same
NOHIDDEN to 2
SHOWALL to 1

or this:

Open an elevated command prompt and type:

attrib -s -h -r f:/*.* /s /d

Hit Enter.

 

[ahoward]

Is there a way to do this in Windows Explorer? I am worried I am going to do more harm than good if I start messing with the registry. I inadverantly changed all of my documents files to hidden and now some of them have re-appeared but some are still hidden. Is there a way to "undo" a change in Windows Explorer?

 

[Falkon]

Solution: (Just tested the solution and it seems to work..had the same problem )

Control Panel.
Folder options
General Tab > Click on the Restore Defaults > then Click Apply >
View Tab > enable - Show hidden files and then whatever else you had or just hit apply and close.


Your problem should be fixed by now.


Happy New Year and God Bless

 

[garyheard]

FALKON - This is the correct procedure in showing the User AppData folder.

However, changing to Show hidden files and usage of the unchecking the radio check box for Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) will affect using the Microsoft DVD Maker, as you won't be able to make DVDs if the hidden files are displayed.

So to make DVDs with Microsoft DVD Maker, you must hide the system files.

 

[bananabodhi]

Restore "missing" App Data folder

The recommended fix that actually worked to "restore" App Data folder:

Control Panel\Folder Options\Restore Defaults and View\Show Hidden Files Folders & Drives

HOWEVER - I now see that my folder hierarchy view has dramatically changed. For instance, my desktop no longer shows up at the top of the hierarchy. Because I very frequently use this link to save files, docs, emails etc to my personal desktop folders this is Very inconvenient. ANY SUGGESTIONS??