I messed up, big time... I think.

[joshm662]

I'm not very familiar with Windows 7 and I got on my dad's computer and when I sign on it says a file called, "javaupdates.exe" wants to open and I chose no... then I look for the file which is located in C:\Users\Mac\AppData

OK, so Mac is the name my dad gave his computer or whatever but when I opened the Users folder it said Public and Mac were the only folders in there so I opened Mac folder and the AppData folder was NOT in there so I assumed it was just a "Hidden" folder, so what I did was right click on the folder and chose properties and where is says "Attributes" and says Read Only and Hidden, I believe I selected "Hidden" hoping it would show me the hidden files, well all of the sudden EVERYTHING disappeared. Everything on the desktop is GONE! I try to open FireFox and it says it's already open yet doesn't show up in the task manager.

So, I went back to the "Users" folder and right clicked to get properties hoping I could "un-hide" the Mac folder but I couldn't. However, when I right click on the Users folder and get properties I see the Previous Versions tab. I click on it and BAM, there it is! I see the Mac folder and I can double click it and open it and everything, but I can't move it back to the Users folder, it says it's already there! The restore button at the bottom of the screen doesn't let me click it, it's just gray. When I click to see where the location of the Mac folder is, it says, \\localhost\C$\@GMT-2013.09.13-20.46.51\Users

WTF?

When I right click the Mac folder it has a solid box in the "Read Only" part highlighted and the Hidden part has a box with no check mark in it!

How do I get everything back to normal???? I can't see ANYTHING on my desktop anymore but it's all there, the Mac folder is still SOMEWHERE! I saw everything and opened them and got the stuff to open but I can't get it to show up where I need it. Please Please PLEASE help me!!!

Thanks a lot!

 

[Golden]

Have you tried a system restore? If not, best get your Dad to have a look at this.

 

[sandpd]

i'm not an expert but see if this helps.

1) click on control panel and type folder in the search box
--a list of items will appear on the left side with "folder options" as the first item

2) under "folder options" select "show hidden files and folders"
--folder options dialog box will appear with the "view tab" already selected

3) under "advanced settings:" select "show hidden files, folders and drives"
--click on "apply" then "ok"---"close" control panel

4) go back to where the "mac folder" was originally saved and i believe you might see it there.

5) right click on it, select properties and uncheck "hidden"

i hope this helps

btw don't forget to go back to control panel, folder options and this time, choose "don't show hidden files, folders and drives" apply then ok

and next time don't go messing with your dad's computer

 

[andrew129260]

Guys, the user accidentally hid the user profile folder, causing everything to disappear.
System restore is completely unnecessary.

OP, Follow these directions. Click rb: then computer. Tap the alt key. Click tools-folder options. Click the view tab.
Then under hidden files and folders choose show hidden files. Click ok.
Now navigate to c/users/

Right click the mac folder and choose properties. Then uncheck hidden. Apply and ok.

Now go back into tools folder options and choose to hide hidden folders under the view tab.

You right clicking the folder and choosing properties and then hidden causes that folder to be hidden. Windows even states this when you apply the changes.

Warning/suggestion:
Next time I suggest you read online before you apply settings. Especially if you are not familiar with windows. Right clicking any file and going to properties sets the properties for that file.
If its not your computer be a little more careful next time.

@sandpd Just saw your post for some reason, wasn't there before. Good job.

 

[sandpd]

thanks andrew

 

[andrew129260]

Also want to add,

Op:

I would uninstall Java from the computer. Java was trying to update which is why it was asking you. You should ether update java, or uninstall it. Java is usually not needed in most cases.

Java is also a main receiver for malware. Uninstalling it is the best action. But you should update it should you wish to keep it. If adobe, java, antivirus or windows wants to update, say yes and allow it to do so.

 

[gregrocker]

You might also have been hit by a Java exploit. I'm not sure how attempting to unhide System or Hidden files could hide the User folder. In fact I don't now how the User folder can be hidden.

If all of the suggestions given don't help you may need to disinfect starting with Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware download full scan in Safe Mode if necessary , or http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-microsoft-standalone-system-sweeper.html from bootable CD. Let us know what infection it finds as it may require speciaized solution including Unhider if caused by infection.

 

[severedsolo]

I doubt its a java exploit, the OP states that they were messing around in users... I can see how you can hide the user folder. If you're in the Users folder and happen to click properties instead of folder options.. quite easy.

OK, so Mac is the name my dad gave his computer or whatever but when I opened the Users folder it said Public and Mac were the only folders in there so I opened Mac folder and the AppData folder was NOT in there so I assumed it was just a "Hidden" folder, so what I did was right click on the folder and chose properties and where is says "Attributes" and says Read Only and Hidden, I believe I selected "Hidden" hoping it would show me the hidden files, well all of the sudden EVERYTHING disappeared. Everything on the desktop is GONE! I try to open FireFox and it says it's already open yet doesn't show up in the task manager.

Everything would disappear if you hid your user folder....

I'll second the advice to update or uninstall Java. (or better yet, even if you are going to update, uninstall first.)

Also, word of advice, you really do not need to mess around in Appdata. CCleaner will do a lovely job cleaning it up worst case, but 9/10 times, you don't need to go in there. Also, don't go poking around in system files if you don't really know what your doing.