How To Enable ‘Show Hidden Files And Folders Option’ When Disabled By a Virus

Posted by Asad on Sat, Oct 11, 2008

Windows

A few days back my “Show hidden files and folders” option was not working at all even if I selected the option Show hidden files and folders from the folder option window, the changes would just disappear upon closing the dialog. It was probably some virus attack after which the Windows registry was not being updated properly. So here is what I did to restore it back.


Method 1: Registry Editing

Click Start  > Run… (or press Windows key + R)

run

Type regedit and click Ok.

regedit

 

Find the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL

showall

Look at the CheckedValue key. This should be a DWORD key. If it isn’t, delete the key. Create a new key called “CheckedValue” as a DWORD (hexadecimal) with a value of 1.

showall

Now open My Computer, on the toolbar go to Tools > Folder Option and click on the View tab.

The Show hidden files & folders check box should now work normally.

show

 

Method 2: Application

If you don’t want to apply the above method, download Smart Virus Remover from here. Using this Virus Remover you can restore your Windows settings, your “Show hidden files and folders” will be set to default.

 sa 

Do let us know in the comments if these methods helped you or not ?

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  1. Enable “Show Folder And Search Option” If Disabled By A Virus In Windows
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13 Responses to “How To Enable ‘Show Hidden Files And Folders Option’ When Disabled By a Virus”

  1. Geoserv Says:

    STUMBLED!

    This blog is turning ito an everything blog, great post.

    Reply

  2. Jim Says:

    This is a real time saver tutorial. I was looking a way to fix this problem for my friend. Now i got it! thanks!

    Reply

  3. web design company Says:

    This has happened to me many times. This is quite a useful website to show you how to easily enable hidden files and folders due to a virus.

    Reply

  4. ISE32 Virus Says:

    I was thinkin of ways to circumvent the virus effects when i stumbled upon this…thanks!

    Reply

  5. dan Says:

    Guys seriously , you guys r life savers …i was just about to reinstall my windows all over again when i found this site . U guys r amazing .Thanks loads .

    Reply

  6. Nakodari Says:

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    You can check more similar tips and tricks on this site. If you are having any problem and can’t find the solution to the problem on this site, feel free to Contact me and we will do our best to solve it for you. :)

    Reply

  7. me Says:

    Hi, I really feel happy to find this tips on this website :) No need to worry anymore with that stupid worm. Thanks a million.

    Reply

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  11. Shahid Ali Siddique Says:

    Dear Sir,
    Thank you for this POST. It really helped me out.

    Thank you again,

    Pakistan, Karachi

    Reply

  12. mike Says:

    Whew! It’s been 2 weeks since I’d had this problem about my Folder Options and it took me a while to search online. And finally, I stumbled upon this webpage, and wham!… problem solved. Thank you sooo much for posting this tip!

    Mike. Philippines

    Reply

  13. Chapcuzz Says:

    hey…

    great post, but…

    still not working for me..

    the checkedvalue going back to 0 when i closed registry editor..

    for info my pc was attacked by sality.y.aa but when i scan with kaspersky it found nothing..

    can you solve my problem?..

    thx..

    Reply

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