How to Remove Hidden Attribute from Folder in Windows 10
Different viruses cause different types of damage on your computer. Most of the time, the viruses are programmed to disable Windows Task Manager, Regedit, Command Prompt, folder options and etc. These restrictions are meant to prevent a normal computer user from using these built-in Windows diagnostic tools such as MSCONFIG to disable the virus from starting up on your computer.
There are some viruses that will cause destruction such as encrypting recently used files so you are forced to buy the decryption key from the virus programmer. Then there’s another type of virus such as BDS.Mirc.Backdoor that will hide your document files by setting the hidden and system attributes to the file. You can still see the files if you set to show hidden files and folders plus disabling hide operating system files. Another trick is to use Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera to reveal the hidden files. If the virus is capable of restricting Folder Options, the chances are you think that your files have been wiped out by the virus but in fact they are perfectly safe and have just been hidden in your system.
There’s still hope if you think that your files are gone because of a virus. Here’s how to check if the files are still around, and if they are, you can reset the attributes of the files to view them normally in Windows Explorer again.
How to show hidden files and folders or system files1. Go to Control Panel and open Folder Options.
2. Go to the View tab and select “Show hidden files and folders”. Then uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”. Do take note that some viruses that are still active on the computer will revert the changes that you made. So make sure your computer is clean from viruses first by scanning with an antivirus program.
3. Try to look for your missing files on your hard drive. There is a tool called Random’s System Information Tool that is able to help you find files or folders created or modified in the last 1 to 3 months.
4. If you have managed to locate your files which are hidden but visible because you’ve configured the Folder Options to show them, then you’ll need to unhide the hidden files. Here are 4 methods to reset the system and hidden attributes.
1. Unhide using the Windows attrib command
This is the old school method of doing it without using any software. Just run command prompt (Start -> Run -> CMD for XP, or for Vista and 7 Start -> type CMD in search box, right click and run as Admin), type the following command:
attrib -H -S C:\path\to\your\file.doc /S /D
You can also use the asterisk character to define multiple extensions. For example:
attrib -H -S C:\raymond\*.* /S /D
This would remove the Hidden and System attribute of all files in the raymond folder on the C drive. The /S and /D arguments are optional. /S will recurse down into all sub folders and /D will unhide the folders themselves if they have the System or Hidden attribute set.
Just to point out, it’s probably not the best idea to use something like “C:\*.*” as this will unhide the whole drive including files which Windows has set as hidden or system by design.
On the next page we’ll show you how to unhide/unsystem your files using even easier methods with the help software.
I’m booting from a USB so all files are unlocked for backup purposes.
I type “attrib +a c:\*.* /s” and get “Unable to reset system file”.
Typing “attrib -s -h -r +a c:\*.* /s” would absolutely work.
However, could turning of the system bit on all System files could cause it not to boot?
I don’t think it would but don’t want to experiment and possibly regret it.
Very useful utility tool,good job, more power!
Hello!
I use Windows 10 machine. Mine gives me an error message like this:
>attrib -H -S G:\Learn\IT\Graphic Designer\setup\Adobe Fireworks CS5 v11.0 + serial key [H33t][Slicer] /S /D
Parameter format not correct –
What have I done wrong please?
is ” Adobe Fireworks CS5 v11.0 + serial key [H33t][Slicer] ” a Folder?
I suggest to use attrib -H -S G:\Learn\IT\Graphic Designer\setup\*.* /S /D
To apply to all folders and subfolders
This script wont work for 2 reasons;
1 The path G:…. has spaces in it so you must put the path in inverted commas
2. at the end of the path put \*.* meaning all files
then it will work IF there isn’t some special file or disk access issue.99% of the time this works, 1% is another special permission issue.
Oh, thank you so much. i moved my Downloads folder back to my C:\ drive and Windows applied the hidden and system attribute to it, this oldschool method fixed it. Again, thank you so much!!!
Thank You So Much I Used iReset Tool And Now i Can Access My Hidden Files And Folders…. Allah Bless You….
Thank you!
Thank you so much, works like a charm
Old school rules. Worked like a charm. Thank you.
@sunny
use this..
“old school”
attrib -H -S F:\*.* /S /D
thank you very much for your kind support
you are savior thx
i don’t know how to thank you more but thank you!
thank you worked for me
thank you it worked.the old school is best.
thanks its working
“old school”
attrib -H -S F:\123.docx /S /D
F: Drive is my flash drive
but how we can all files at once time
jsut this:
attrib -H -S F:\*.* /S /D
Old Run CMD worked perfectly thnx
Thank you! You saved me!
Thanks buddy, it’s work, but actually I’ve do the same thing formerly but there’s a message, access denided, maybe because a virus that run the software that I want to unhide it, but after I clean the file using an antivirus and then use that script, it works, thanks buddy
Well done it works
thanks a lot
Thanks. I was looking for AppData folder and stuffed it all up.. this was the 1st page i found when looking for solution and it worked without issue. great help
Thanks….
Thank you!
It worked perfectly. You are a life saver. Thank you very much.
Not being able to remove hidden ( +H ) and system file ( +S ) attributes of “System Volume Information” folder thru’ attrib command . Getting message “Access denied – Drivename:\Folder name. Is therre any other method to remoe the +H +S attributes ? Thanks in advance for reply.
System Volume Information is a special protected system folder and you need to gain access to it. Read this article to find out how:
https://www.raymond.cc/blog/about-recycler-and-system-volume-information-folder-in-xp-and-vista/
thank you ..
Thanks, you are the best…
Thanks a lot buddy. it works!!!
Hi
Nice write up. We were hit with locky at our place and we were able to beat it by having an early warning. We stopped the shares and restored from backup. Without the early warning we would have been toast. It occurred to me that a script or program running on or monitoring the file server that noted when a files extension was changed would provide the early warning. The tools here appear to be local programs not meant to sit on a file server. While some say they can see shares they don’t appear to be made for Windows server 2008 and up. Thoughts?
Gary Hinrich
Nice one buddy.. Thanks alot!!
It workedd….!!!!!!!!!!
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Thank You! You saved my life!
Thank u very much
made it …
I enabled all the hidden files and folders in my computer. by default it would have been hidden.. and everywhere i can see desktop.ini, can anybody tell me how can i the default files and folders, which windows hide by default.thanks.
Tell me What to do if someone hide a Folder with the attributes and unable to unhide it back cause the folder name is forgotten.
If you use one of the methods listed here it doesn’t matter what the folder name is as it will be visible just like any other folder.
Very thankful. …. i got my data back
Muchas gracias!! Saludos de Mexico !! Thanks !
life saver. more powers
attrib +h +s f: …. /s /d
tried this a lot but this only sets that specific folder. know how to set system attribute to all files(pdf, videos, pics etc.) and subfolders in that folder…?
try attrib -H -S f:\*.* /S /D
That will unhide everything on the F drive.
Read the article .
Really thanks
Whilst logged on as Administrator
Would not work on System Volume Information
C:\attrib -r -a -h -s C:\”System Volume Information”\*.* /S /D
ACCESS DENIED
Any ideas – Is there an even higher level of security for such files.
( My problem is battery went flat, whilst deffragging and now have 49% fragmentation )
System Volume Information is a protected folder and not simply unhidden by these methods, have a read about it here:
raymond.cc/blog/about-recycler-and-system-volume-information-folder-in-xp-and-vista/
Will do. Thanks HAL9000
Worked Nice…… :) Awesome
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THANKS…..BUDDY
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ITS SO SIMPLE ; THANKS IS NOT ENOUGH ; TAKE MY GRATITUDE
You Saved My Computer’s Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Keep it up
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Thanks a million dude, almost deleted most of my music – I’ve been a victim of some hacker prank. Cheers.
Thanks.
This simple commands silently does what flashy GUI just fails to do. Great.
God Bless you, sir.
Thanks, interesting
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it is saying that parameter format is not correct . what would i do now ?
Thank you very Much. God Bless You for Me
thankz man…..i used the attribute changer it really works!! :)
Thank you very much for your solution…
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I found it useful, thank you.
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Thanks again
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Perfect !
Lot of thanks
Yow Thank you so much.. finally don’t have to manually cut and paste each folder… been looking for this tutorial since i had the darn trojan.. before i manual cut and paste files from hidden system folder didn’t knew there’s a work around.. dude you are the best..
Thank Dude… :)
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thank you so much
Thank you so much! :D
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Thanks ! I used the DOS prompt method on files coming from Windows 7 and using hidden hard links :D
thank you very much You are the savior
iReset tool was awesome! After many files in the root folder of my thumb drive got the Hidden attribute grey-ed out, because of some nasty virus got into from a local Net Cafe. Kudos to raymond site for the share.
Thanks! :)
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Thank you for this helpful post. Really appreciated Free Commander.
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Great, Working like a charm. FreeCommander is the best one.
Well, Nice information Passed, working fine, Thanks
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Thanks
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So I have done this….and everything reappears.
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Thank you!!
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Thank you :-) Helped me a lot
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hey this is helping about. I still have no idea where the virus came from. relatively speaking, I’m really careful with what I download online.
:) works great for me…
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:-)
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Love yah!
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I used the IReset software and it worked perfectly.
Screw the virus!
Have a nice day!
Malaysia
Thanks a lot man!
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very informative, easy to follow and 100% working – it helped me reset files that has been tampered by virus to a working file.
works fine, perfect…thanks a lot!
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Thank You
man i love you very much!
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SUPERB HATS OFFF
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I was searching for this everywhere on net.
Love u.
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thank you really a good ray
Its Works ………….Thanks Dear……………………
Thanks……..for the post……
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thanks
Thank you. Thank you.
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Thank you for the Command Prompt version, it works excellent and it finished my 8GB USB pendrive in 10 seconds!
Thank you very much once again!
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i used this dos command, its very nice.
once again thanks.
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great job ray! they just fooling us with those viruses and make money for it “anti-virus program”. You did a good job!
thanks from Mongolia
Hi !
I have to try this tip then I will say something . . .
very nice Article. My girl friend missed her project file because virus infected . she thought i deleted that files. now i can show that project files using this .Thank you
SOLVED
thanks ray…you are the man…problem solved with ireset…
Thanks a lot! I’m having this problem for months now. Such a saver… Many thanks again.
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Thank you so much! the virus is really a headache… thanks for the tip… i thought my files were all gone… (Relief) :)
amazing solution!!!!!!!!!!!! its so great!!!!!i have tried it for year and you solved it just in second!!!!!!!!!!!!so grateful to you
thank you very much
WOW! this is the best tutorial ive seen regarding hidden folders. thank you so much ray!
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Thanks much for sharing such useful info. i-Reset worked just fine for me :-)
Thank you my friend Attribute Changer is worked fine for me
So great. . and now my problem with my phone is solve. . thank you. . i have my folder shown again! Thanks
HI ray this is good,
thanks Ray. this is very useful tutorial
Great write up Raymond. I never can read enough new ways to repair the damage done by malware :)
nice tip
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thanks for the info..
Another useful tip and a good soft.
Raymond, thank you so much, i encounter this problem since few month ago and never find any solution, once again thank you so much, i only could wish you best of luck with your life. :)
Thanks for the tip mate, cheers!
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Nice Post!
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an excellent tip ray!!!