Some malware can modify Windows settings to disable or prevent users to change setting of Show Hidden Files and Folders under folder options. These steps will help you regain access or modify and save the settings.

PROCEDURE A:
1 . Go to Start > Run
2. Type regedit on the box
3. On Registry editor navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\
Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL

4. On the right pane, delete the value with

  • Name: CheckedValue
  • Type: REG_SZ
  • Data: 2

5. Create a new DWORD. Right-click on the right pane > New >DWORD Value

6. Value should be:

  • Name: CheckedValue
  • Type: REG_DWORD
  • Data: 1

Note: If procedure A does not work, please use Procedure B.

PROCEDURE B:
1. Open Notepad
2. Copy and paste the following :

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden]
“Text”=”@shell32.dll,-30499″
“Type”=”group”
“Bitmap”=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,\
00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,53,00,\
48,00,45,00,4c,00,4c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,34,00,00,\
00
“HelpID”=”shell.hlp#51131″

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\NOHIDDEN]
“RegPath”=”Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced”
“Text”=”@shell32.dll,-30501″
“Type”=”radio”
“CheckedValue”=dword:00000002
“ValueName”=”Hidden”
“DefaultValue”=dword:00000002
“HKeyRoot”=dword:80000001
“HelpID”=”shell.hlp#51104″

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL]
“RegPath”=”Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced”
“Text”=”@shell32.dll,-30500″
“Type”=”radio”
“CheckedValue”=dword:00000001
“ValueName”=”Hidden”
“DefaultValue”=dword:00000002
“HKeyRoot”=dword:80000001
“HelpID”=”shell.hlp#51105″

3. Go to File > Save As
4. Save it in your Desktop with File name: folderoption.reg
5. Close Notepad
6. Go to your Desktop
7. Double-click the folderoption.reg
8. If it prompts if you want to add the information on the registry, click YES
9. It will confirm that information was successfully entered into registry, click OK
10. You should now be able to modify Show Hidden Files and Folders settings.

Enable Show Hidden Files and Folders Using Free Tool
RRT or Remove Restrictions Tool is a free tool to enable access to different Windows process disbaled by virus infections.

This tool is used to enable access to:
- Registry Tools (regedit)
- Ctrl+Alt+Del
- Folder Options
- Show Hidden Files

Download RRT: click here to donwload