Comments on: What happened to my Application Data folder?

Question: What happened to my Application Data folder?

ssmug — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 06:34:50 -0800

Windows XP - My "Application Data" folder is still hidden even with the correct folder settings...

Ok, I've done the normal things -- Tools > Folder Options > View > Show hidden files/folders, unchecked "hide extensions for known file types," and "hide protected OS files" -- and my Application Data and Local folders are still hidden. I can access them by typing the full path in the Explorer address bar, but they don't show up in the folder tree. (I have administrator privileges.)

I've tried resetting the folders to default values and then changing back, but still no luck. I've Googled, checked Google Groups and have come up empty-handed.

Anyone out there in MeFi land have any idea why I can't see these folders even with the right Explorer settings?

By: Rhomboid

Rhomboid — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 06:47:31 -0800

Have you checked the ACL on the parent folder? If I remember correctly, traverse checking is not enabled on Windows by default, so you can still access the contents of subdirectories even if you don't have the Read or List Contents permissions on the parent (or any parent up the chain.)

By: ssmug

ssmug — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 07:40:29 -0800

Hmm...I'm listed as having full control, and have changed my account to owner, but the folder is still hidden.

By: Boobus Tuber

Boobus Tuber — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:44:37 -0800

So what are its attributes? From the command prompt in the parent directory type:

attrib "Application Data"

What does it say? Can you see it when you type 'dir' at the command prompt?

By: ssmug

ssmug — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:01:44 -0800

Boobus:

When I do the attrib, I get HR C:\Documents and Settings\(User)\Applicatin Data

I cannot see the folder when I type dir at command prompt.

By: Boobus Tuber

Boobus Tuber — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:21:46 -0800

Well, it shouldnt display from a dir command if it's hidden. It doesn't really answer your question, more just works around it, but you could make it not hidden. Then it should display in explorer.

By: Ferrari328

Ferrari328 — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:01:33 -0800

DIR/A displays all the Folders/Files for me.

By: blue_wardrobe

blue_wardrobe — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:03:52 -0800

If you do dir /a:h do you see it?

By: ssmug

ssmug — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:44:20 -0800

Ferrari & blue_wardrobe:

Both dirs display the folder. Any idea why it's still hidden in Explorer?

By: blue_wardrobe

blue_wardrobe — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:07:56 -0800

Things I would try:

1) Have you restarted Explorer from scratch since changing the settings?

2) Some hint that desktop.ini settings in the containing folder can cause odd behavior in Explorer. Wanna try deleting or renaming it, and then restarting Explorer?

By: blue_wardrobe

blue_wardrobe — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:08:48 -0800

And then I would double-check the settings you say you've tried, just in case I tremble-clicked something.

By: Boobus Tuber

Boobus Tuber — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:25:30 -0800

So what happens if you unhide it?

(attrib -h "Application Data")

By: ssmug

ssmug — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:11:35 -0800

Blue_wardrobe:

I restarted Explorer, but that didn't work. I did move my "My Documents" folder to a separate drive (changed the Target location) a couple of days ago -- could that have affected things? Unfortunately, I hadn't tried to view hidden folders before, so I can't give a before/after.

Boobus:

That worked, thanks. I'm still curious why the normal things haven't worked...