why i'm not able to view hidden file?

Question

my problem is i'm not able to view hidden file even if i tick for show hidden file, it will go back to do not show hidden file.i think my computer had been infected by virus.how do i resolve this problem?

Answer 1

It's a silly problem really. The very purpose of keeping files hidden is so that noone can access them. If you have WindowsXP in your computer, all you have to do is go to the respective folder where you think the file was hidden, and run a random search for "All Files and Folders" in that particular folder/drive only. Don't forget to check "hidden files" before running your search option. Once done, your results will definitely give you the requested hidden file even if you forgot its name. If not, it means the file is corrupted by some unknown virus, and there is little you can do to remedy the situation. Be careful next time.

In fact, searching the file is the ONLY method to gain access to hidden files. Even 12 year old smart kids know how to hide pornographic content from their daddys using this option.

Answer 2

You may not have administrator access. If you can log into your computer under different identies, try one of the other identities. You can also try re-installing your OS which may need to be done due to currupted files after the virus had been cleaned out, which I assume it has been as you mention it past tense.

Answer 3

Go into the Control Panel>User Accounts and confirm you are the Administrator. Also make sure you are not using the Limited User or Guest User account while trying to do this change.

Answer 4

You also may need to untick the "Hide protected operating system files (Recommneded)" option. Don't forget to click "Apply" and then the "Apply to All Folders" buttons so that the change will apply to all folders.

Answer 5

Maybe your hidden files had accidently been deleted.

Answer 6

You say that you think you may be infected by a virus. Do a scan from http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ .