How can I display hidden files in Windows XP?

Solution : 1:
In Windows go to START --> Control Panels and choose "Folder Options":

Now you'll see the basic set of "General" view options for your folders:

Note particularly that this is where you can switch back to "Classic" folder views if you don't like the list of common tasks that appears in most folders you open (I generally like them, actually, as they help me figure out how to quickly solve problems, but you might prefer just seeing more files and folders in that window).

What you seek, however, is under the "View" option:

I've circled it here so you can see the option, it's "show hidden files and folders". Choose that, click "Apply" and you'll be able to see those mystery files until you switch back.

Solution : 2:

If your system is infected by this virus you can’t see hidden files and folders , even after applying the settings to show hidden folders. This setting is reverted back to Don’t show hidden files and folders by the virus.

This happens because virus protects the two hidden ,system files called d.com and autorun,inf which are created by amvo.exe and amvo0.dll , amvo1.dll which resides in system32 folder on the OS drive (hard disk partition on which windows operating system is installed).

this problem can be solved by using a script given here
http://www.mygeekside.com/downloads/...rus_usb_en.vbs

or if you want to manually try then here is the solution
http://www.troublefixers.com/how-to-...ti-virus-tool/
http://www.troublefixers.com/hidden-...e-not-visible/

Solution : 3:

Sometimes a virus or some malicious script makes the hidden files and folders not visible even when it is explicitly enabled.

In this case even if the user enables the Show hidden files and folders in

Tools > Folder options > View menu, Hidden files and folder does not become visible.

Lets see how to fix it.

Fix:

First and foremost is the point that the user has enabled the Show hidden files and folder

1. Go to Tools > Folder options. This will show a folder options menu.

2. Go to View tab and select the option “Show hidden files and folder“

The hidden files and folders are displayed by this method normally. But in case some virus or script is preventing the hidden files and folders from being visible, follow the below steps:

1. Go to your Start > Run, type regedit and press enter. This will open registry editor.

2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folde r\Hidden\SHOWALL

DELETE the value CheckedValue in the right window if it already there and type is REG_SZ

Now create a new DWORD value again with the same name CheckedValue.

3. Double click the value called CheckedValue, and modify its data value (DWORD Value) to 1 (0×00000001) . Close registry editor after this.

Updated on 9th FEB 2008:

If still folder options is reverted back to don’t show hidden files and folders then it could be due to some virus still in action.

Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden
NOHIDDEN

In the NOHIDDEN folder, select CheckedValue and set the value to 1

4. Go to Tools > Folder options. This will show a folder options menu.

5. Go to View tab and select the option “Show hidden files and folder“

The above fix to the trouble came from one of our readers Chris under a virus post comment.

Thanks Chris.

Note: If above solution does not work for you, make sure to make your system completely virus free by updating your anti-virus and running a complete scan.

Courtesy:

http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic99476.html

http://www.askdavetaylor.com/display_hidden_files_in_windows_xp.html

http://www.troublefixers.com/hidden-files-and-folders-are-not-visible/