How to enable “Show Hidden Files and Folders” option disabled after virus attack

Method 1

If you ever faced such problem when your computer had a virus which ultimately disabled “show hidden file and folders” option, then you don’t need to format or restore your setting. I have a trick which can enable show hidden files and folder to its original state.

There are few viruses that prevent us from viewing the hidden files and folders. If you enable “Show hidden files and folders” option from folder option it doesn’t show hidden files and reverts back to “Do not show hidden files and folders”. If you desperately try command prompt to enable hidden files then it takes long time because you cannot unhide all files at once and vice versa. To enable show hidden files option please follow simple steps.

Note: We are going to edit registry entry, so don’t experiments with this tool, only follow what is mentioned here otherwise your computer may respond strangely and I take no responsibility. I have applied this trick to 3 PCs and was successful on 3 computers which had same problem.

Here is how fix show hidden files and folders option:

• Click on Start button
• Click Run
• Type “regedit” without quotes in the box and press Enter.

Run Prompt

It should open “Registry Editor”, now do following steps:

Go to the following registry key:

“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL”

You will find tree type navigation on left side pane, click on the + sign on text mention on above path means first click on + sign of “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” then on “SOFTWARE” then on “Microsoft” and so on until you find values provided in below screen shot.

Registry Value Screenshot

Note: If you are a newbie then I would suggest you to back old entries before you make changes. To backup registry simply right click on “SHOWALL” name on left side then click “Export”, give a suitable name and save.

You only need to change or check two registry keys.

1. “CheckedValue” value should be 1.
2. “DefaultValue” value should be 2.

Don’t close “Registry Editor” now, go to folder option and try to unhide files and folders. It should work now and you can close registry editor.