Folder Options - Open

Ok here is a new problem.....I just got Win7 Pro 64bit. I was reading in here about how to get the other regional Themes to show up in the personalization options. So for one of the steps you need to go turn on hidden files and folders. Ok no problem i'm a computer tech and i've done that tons of times on WinXP Pro.

Now I understand that the way windows handles folder options is a bit different now especialy in regard to the idea that folder settings, even if you use "Apply to Folders" which of course used to be "Apply to ALL Folders". So I want to see hidden and system files on my C: so I can goto the folder it talks about in getting the other localization themes. And of course sure enough it's there, I proceed and everything is happy.

So imagine my surprise when I close out back to the desktop and I am now seeing two "desktop.ini" hidden system files on my desktop now. I did not select "Apply to Folders" in any of these instances however it seems like the view option of "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" and the check-box for "show protected operating system files" both propagate to all Windows Explorer views on the system, weather you want them to or not. I have so far tried selecting the options for Opening each folder in it's own window, and Launching folder windows in a seperate process as both those options I know have been used before to help gain control over what is or isnt shown in any one individual folder, but neither of these seemed to work.

any ideas here? I like to be able to see all files and folders on my computer to see if there is anything extra being hidden from me in other folders and installations besides the OS itself, but I don't like having the greyed out system files showing up on my desktop view.

Brink said:

Hello Rangerman, and welcome to Seven Forums.

The two Desktop.ini files are hidden protected OS files. You would just need to do step 5 in OPTION ONE in the tutorial below to hide them again, and still see the other hidden system files. :)

Hidden Files and Folders - Show or Hide

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Well actually not unfortunately. I don't think you fully understood what I was asking. Before Win7 (and i'm assuming maybe also Vista, never used it, saw it a few times and it looked like junk) there was a way and/or windows by default would save your folder view options for ALL options displayed in the "Folder Options" box for EACH FOLDER YOU MODIFIED ONLY, UNLESS You told windows in the Folder Options box you wanted to use those view options for all folders on the computer.

Now however these view options I am specifically interested in are propagated to ALL folders viewed in explorer WEATHER I WANT THEM TO BE OR NOT. I want ALL folders on my computer to be able to show hidden files and folders and protected system operating files because many programs and viruses and such tell windows that they should be shown as hidden files and folders and/or also try to use the file tag of a protected operating system file as well.

Basically to post this in a nutshell, I want to be able to set folder options to show hidden files and folders and protected system operating files on the entire computer EXCEPT for the desktop and unfortunately there is no way to do this with the Folder Options box as anytime you select or deselect either of these options it is propagated to the entire computer weather I want it to be or not. I was able to do this up to WinXP, now with Win7 I cannot for some reason because of the changes to how the Folder Options box works in the system.

Ok thanks anyways. It seems kind of silly of them to change that. As there used to be an option in Folder Options to save the settings for each folder you opened Folder Options on individually. Well maybe i'll pester Microsoft about it and see if they can fix it. I hate having to go turn off and on the two options whenever I want to see something because half the time I actually notice new things since it's on already and then go "Hmmm...what is that new system file/hidden file/folder. :)