Showing All Files, Folders, And File Extensions In Windows 2000/XPView/Save PDF 77.9KB

For: Windows 2000 Professional | Windows XP

Published: 24Apr07 | Last Updated: 18May08 | Status: To Be Continued

  1. 1.  Introduction
  2. 2.  Showing All Files, Folders, And File Extensions
    1. 2.1.  Showing All Files, Folders, And File Extensions: Windows 2000
    2. 2.2.  Showing All Files, Folders, And File Extensions: Windows XP

1.  Introduction

By default, Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP (Windows 2000/XP) hide particular files, folders, and file extensions from appearing in My Computer and Windows Explorer. This is to prevent the user from accessing and deleting, moving, or editing files and folders of particular types often associated with the proper functioning of applications and the Windows 2000/XP operating system. Some advanced configuration and troubleshooting procedures, however, require access to the hidden files, folders, and file extensions.

Note:  By default, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME (Windows 9x/ME) also hide particular files, folders, and file extensions from appearing in My Computer and Windows Explorer. Perform similar to access the hidden files, folders, and file extensions in Windows 9x/ME.

2.  Showing All Files, Folders, And File Extensions

2.1.  Showing All Files, Folders, And File Extensions: Windows 2000

  1. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer and click Tools | Folder Options | View.
  2. In Advanced settings:
    1. Select Show hidden files and folders.
    2. Uncheck Hide file extensions for known file types.
    3. Uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). The Are you sure you want to display these files dialog appears. Click Yes.
      Windows 2000 Professional Show All Files, Folders, And File Extensions
  3. Click OK.

2.2.  Showing All Files, Folders, And File Extensions: Windows XP

  1. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer and click Tools | Folder Options | View.
  2. In Advanced settings:
    1. Select Show hidden files and folders.
    2. Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.
    3. Uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). The Are you sure you want to display these files dialog appears. Click Yes.
      Windows XP Professional Show All Files, Folders, And File Extensions
  3. Click OK.