Not all hidden files in XP Home (NTFS) show?

bojangles · Post by **bojangles** » 2004 Sep 10, 01:34

Hi,

Not all hidden files in XP Home (NTFS) show when using Eplorer2-lite?

I have used 2xExplorer for some time in Win98se, and one of my main uses was for it showing "all" files and folders, hidden or otherwise.

Now I am currently on a XP Home (NTFS) machine, so I have downloaded and installed Explorer2-lite, because it looked like it had a lot more to offer for XP NTFS users. To my great disappointment it does not seem to show all files and folders. Quick Examples are the hidden folders, ".dat" and ".ini" files of IE TIF. I have made sure that the hidden files filter is off and that I have it set to show all files.

I also am an Irfanview user, and I can get it to show all the ".dat" and ".ini" files by adding their extensions to the custom list. However, this is an inconvenience when viewing image files in folders, and must be always deleted from the list.

Is there any way to get Explorer2-lite to show all files regardless of what the XP system is trying to hide?

Oh, and I do have Windows Explorer set to show all hidden files/folders and system files/folders. But, that of course, has no effect on Explorer2-lite, and is very little improvement for the sad Windows Explorer program or files search utility.

Thanks,
bojangles

fgagnon · Post by **fgagnon** » 2004 Sep 10, 03:06

I don't know if there is something unique about XP-home (vs XP-pro, which I have), but I have no problem viewing hidden system files with x2-Lite (or with x2-pro).

From your post, it sound like you should have everything set right; but as a double-check ...

In x2, under Tools | Options... /General\
you must have the box checked for
[x] Show hiddden files and folders

In windows Control Panel | Folder options /View\ Advanced settings:
you might want to doublecheck that not only have you ticked
(•) Show hidden files and folders
But that you have un-ticked
[ ] Hide extensions for known file types
and
[ ] Hide protected operating system files

That should be all that's necessary. Beyond that, we need somebody familiar with the vaguaries of XP-home.

I hope that helps, but suspect it may not.

bojangles · Post by **bojangles** » 2004 Sep 10, 03:55

fgagnon,

Using your double-check, all seems set-up correctly.

I wonder..., since you have both x2 pro. and lite, is there perhaps an extra registry setting that needs tweaking? Just a thought. The pro. may be allowing the lite to see the light (pun intended

).

So, you can see in your IE TIF folder the "Content.IE5" folder and the additional blah-blah folders, as well as the "desktop.ini" for each folder? How about the "index.dat" in "Content.IE5"?

Thanks for your help, it is much appreciated.

bojangles

JRz · Post by **JRz** » 2004 Sep 10, 11:01

bojangles wrote:[...]So, you can see in your IE TIF folder the "Content.IE5" folder and the additional blah-blah folders, as well as the "desktop.ini" for each folder? How about the "index.dat" in "Content.IE5"?[...]

Don't confuse the viewing of the 'super hidden' files (those which have the System and Hidden attribute ticked) with viewing 'raw' content of some special Windows folders, such as temporary internet files. The ability to view 'super hidden' files is dependent on whether you have the

[ ] Hide protected operating system files

option un-ticked, as fgagnon suggests.

The ability to view raw contents of folders (that is, show exactly how it is organized on disk) is restricted to the Pro version. This will let you see the content.ie5 folder in stead of its contents when browsing the 'Documents and Settings\%USername%\Local Settings\Temporary internet files' folder...

bojangles · Post by **bojangles** » 2004 Sep 10, 19:44

JRz wrote:Don't confuse the viewing of the 'super hidden' files (those which have the System and Hidden attribute ticked) with viewing 'raw' content of some special Windows folders, such as temporary internet files. The ability to view 'super hidden' files is dependent on whether you have the

[ ] Hide protected operating system files

option un-ticked, as fgagnon suggests.

Hide protected operating system files is indeed un-ticked.

The ability to view raw contents of folders (that is, show exactly how it is organized on disk) is restricted to the Pro version. This will let you see the content.ie5 folder in stead of its contents when browsing the 'Documents and Settings\%USername%\Local Settings\Temporary internet files' folder...

Now this is what I needed conformation of. I was very suspicious that this was the case, and that if I want viewing of "all" files and folders, then I need the pro. version. So, in this case at least, Explorer2-lite amounts to little more then cripple-ware for my purposes. I will now install 2xExplorer and see if it meets my needs.

Thanks,
bojangles

JRz · Post by **JRz** » 2004 Sep 13, 11:53

bojangles wrote:[...]Now this is what I needed conformation of. I was very suspicious that this was the case, and that if I want viewing of "all" files and folders, then I need the pro. version. So, in this case at least, Explorer2-lite amounts to little more then cripple-ware for my purposes. [...]

I disagree!! Xplorer² Lite just gives you the same you get when you use Windows Explorer!! So, unless you consider that cripple-ware too (which I wouldn't disagree with on other counts), Xplorer² Lite gives you at least the same for your money (and since it's free, you can't really complain can you

)

J44xm · Post by **J44xm** » 2004 Nov 12, 05:04

With all respect and appreciation, I strongly believe that even xplorer2 Lite should show everything in directories. It's supposed to be so powerful, yet I have to go to DOS and use "attrib -s -h" if I want to even see these files. This is basic functionality that should be included in any competent file manager, and this glaring omission is the one thing that's got me wavering on my dedication to the program.

Post by **nikos** » 2004 Nov 12, 11:14

(reposted where it should have been in the first place)

this is nonsensical
x2 doesn't "hide" anything from you, it presents things as they are meant to be. Would you prefer to see the contents of the recycle bin as they really are and try to figure out what all these "DF11" names mean and which files they correspond to? I don't think so

for paying customers there is this "Raw contents" command as an extra option, but even this is meant only for extraordinary situations and not for daily use

J44xm · Post by **J44xm** » 2004 Nov 13, 19:27

I see what my problem was now. Once I set the option in Explorer, all of my system+hidden files began showing in xplorer2 Lite! I failed to note that changing this setting in Explorer changed it in xplorer2 Lite also. My apologies, and I hereby reaffirm my love of xplorer2 Lite!