Windows 7 files become hidden then unhidden... or not.
Hi,
I am running Windows 7 X64 pro. I have for some time noticed an odd behavior, my files, be it downloads, documents, etc.. will sometimes just disappear. If I try redownloading it will ask about overwrite so I obviously came to the conclusion they were hidden
and sure enough, that's where they went.
Now, I thought this was simply a mistake, something I did, what have you but it's not and this keeps happening. I just did a fresh install and it's still happening. New hard drive, even though the old one was not bad, loaded minimal software, still having
this issue with pictures, docs and downloads. I have been working on computers for some time so I am no stranger to the ways of Windows or hardware but this one has me stumped.
I can of course show hidden files and folders and then unhide them but that still leaves the problem of WHY. I have done restarts, file system checks, etc.. all comes up fine. I have seen others with this issue and just last week, 2 people asked me
the same thing, why their files are disappearing so I finally decided to ask here, perhaps someone knows of a fix in the future or if there has been one at all? I am running with admin privilege and no UAC so I know it's not permissions. Especially when I
download Ccleaner once and it's fine, then another time, it's gone.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Who knows how many people accidentally delete their files or don't get to back up certain ones due to this.
Thank You
April 27th, 2011 3:38am
Hi,
Based on my experience, Windows would not change the hidden property on any files by itself.
I would like to confirm the following details:
1.
Did this issue occur to all files? Or just occurred to downloaded files?
2.
What is the exact meaning of “Especially when I download Ccleaner once and it's fine, then another time, it's gone.”?
3.
Do you have any suspicious software in Windows 7?
Due to this issue could be caused by some third-party software or malicious software, try to check this issue in
clean boot mode.
Hope it helps.
Alex ZhaoPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.
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May 6th, 2011 2:25am
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the reply. I have worked on computers for years so unfortunately, some main issues are out of the question like malware and such, I even scan each file prior even when known good downloads and I actually have a fresh install, well, had, since
posting this. I did scan anyway of course but nothing came up (which I figured it wouldn't) but I like to be sure.
Basically, if I download Ccleaner or something else, it's there BUT not always. It may reside in the downloads folder one minute, the next time I go into the folder, it's hidden. Or sometimes it's hidden right away when downloaded.
My usual line of software from Blender, Gimp, Avira, PCtools firewall, Ccleaner, things of this nature and only "typically" with a couple exceptions, from Snapfiles or Cnet will reside just fine in my Downloads folder, then suddenly some will become hidden.
Now, there is no pattern as to which or why, or even the time it happens. it's always different and never had this happen from 98 through Vista, only on Win 7. Sometimes it's a newly downloaded file that becomes hidden, sometimes it was there already.
(Note, have seen this happen in my pictures and documents folder as well).
So yes, this is a very odd issue. New install, new drive, new parts, no change.My specs are below and thank you again for the reply.
Operating System
MS Windows 7 64-bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 955
AMD Phenom II X4 955
Deneb 45nm Technology
RAM
8.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 401MHz (5-5-5-15)
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4A785-M (AM2) 46 °C
Graphics
Hanns.G HW220 (1680x1050@60Hz)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE
Hard Drives
199GB Maxtor Maxtor 6L200P0 ATA Device (PATA) 42 °C
977GB Hitachi Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 ATA Device (SATA) 38 °C
625GB Western Digital WDC WD6401AALS-00E3A0 ATA Device (SATA) 40 °C
Optical Drives
TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S202N ATA Device
Audio
NVIDIA High Definition Audio
May 9th, 2011 5:01am