Normally to make hidden folders and files visible, the Folder Options configurator should be opened and the appropriate boxes checked. But, some viruses can disable this option in order to prevent hidden files from the possibility being visible. The common symptom of this problem is that every time you try to activate "Show Hidden Files and Folders" option and press Ok, it just flashes and no hidden files or folders are shown. The second symptom is that this option "Show Hidden Files and Folders" simply disappears from the list.

This problem can be fixed very easily by editing Windows registry entry:

1. Navigate to [Start] > [Run] > type in: "regedit" without quotation marks. Press Enter.

2. In the Registry Editor window navigate to the following registry key

"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced"

On the right pane, double click on "Hidden" value and change its value to "1".

You can show hidden files or folders in the Windows Explorer, by adjusting a small option. Doing so will display the hidden files in the explorer, just like normal files. The "how to"-description for Windows XP and Vista can be found below.

To see hidden files in Windows NT, 2000 or XP:

1. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options (To access Windows Explorer, click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Explorer.).

2. Click the View tab.

3. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders (additionally if you need access to system files clear check box "hide protected operating system files").

4. Click on OK.

To see hidden files in Windows Vista:

1. Open the Windows Explorer, via "Start" > "This Computer" or via the shortcut [Windows-key] + E. Once started, you can go to "Organize" and choose "Folder and Search Options".

2. Once this is opened, continue to the "View"-tab and select "Show hidden files and folders". Confirm this by clicking "Apply" and exit by using the "OK" button.

Hidden files and folders will now be displayed by default.