After a virus attack in one of my client machines, the folder options from the windows explorer was missing and we were unable to show all the files including the hidden ones. So here’s what I did to restore it back:
Go to Run –>gpedit.msc
User Configuration –> Administrative Templates –> Windows Components –> Windows Explorer
Enable and then Disable “Removes Folder Options menu from Tools menu”
Close all windows explorer windows and then open again.. most probably your folder options is back 🙂
Folder Options missing in Windows XP
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292 responses to “Folder Options missing in Windows XP”
cool site you have here. you have actually helped me on something i have been trying to figure out for a while. I am no computer wiz so i will check back periodically for help. thanks!
Sheryza, I will be glad to help you in any IT related matter. You can ask me through email or from this site. And, *ahem ahem* this offer is for each and every of my visitor. I haven’t announced this service officially on the blog but will be announcing soon.
I recently had a virus attack, and according to McAfee it was a Trojan Virus.
I am not able to see the Folder Options in Windows Explorer, I tried using the above method to get them back but unfortunately it didn’t work.
When I type in gpedit.msc I get “file not found message” is there any other way to get them back?
Hmm .. which version of windows are you using?
You can use the full path to the file if you are using Windows XP or 2000. Go to C:\Windows\System32\gpedit.msc where C: is your system drive.
I am using Windows XP Home Edition
I was looking at some other forums and according to them gpedit.msc is not available in XP Home. It suggests using regedit instead, but don’t know how to make the settings from there.
Ok .. that seems simple then .. Just go to Start –> Run –> regedit. The registry editor will open. Go to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer
In the right hand pane, see if there is a value called NoFolderOptions
If yes then change it’s value to 0.
1 means hide options and 0 means show options.
I don’t see a value “NoFolderOptions” in the right hand pane. All I see there is “(Default)” with no data value.
If you don’t see any NoFolderOptions then you should create a DWORD named NoFolderOptions and put 0 as it’s value. That means you’re forcing the explorer to show folder options.
No Luck!!! Tried the above. It is still not showing the options.
Did you restart the explorer after applying the tweak?
It Worked!! After restarting the computer. Thanks a lot.
Appreciate your help.
I’m glad that you solved your problem .. just stay in touch and keep providing feedbacks.
My machine became infected with Brontak and although I had Sophos installed it still managed to do quite a bit of damage – thanks to you, I have my View Folder option back (I ALWAYS forget how to load the Group Policy Editor!) so many thanks to you. 😀
wat a great blog you hav here! you have finaly helped me figure out something I have been fighting with for a long tym now! keep it up!
after I was attacked by a virus when ever I start my PC windwos explorer opens up automaticaly! how do I stop this?
You should your startup items through msconfig to see if explorer.exe is loading in startup.. To open msconfig, go to Run –> msconfig –> startup. Make sure that no explorer is loading at your system startup.
Christopher Woods and stvmule, glad to have you here .. just keep visiting and drop me a line or two if you have any suggestions about the blog.
Thanks a Lot for this Nice Solution..
wow……..
Its really good to know faster resolution to the problem whatever faced by user.
sorry to say this, but still i am not able to solve it
Thanks jatt and Makarand, I will need some constructive feedback from you people to make this blog more effective in solving your problems.
Hey UMA Ka, can you explain your situation? What happened to you and what did you do .. so that I may be able to help you more..
Thanks a lot Sanix … i actually countered the same “folder option virus” ,i go thru the steps u post earlier ,it works fine and it is solved … thanks again bro … peace ^^
Even I had the same problem of Folder options missing,…
when I try to fix the problem as u have mentioned above…
that is opening gpedit.msc my computer is getting restarted…. I am going mad.. even when I try to open the regedit.exe the same thing occurs…. Please help me out…..
Thank you very much – your solution (gpedit.msc) just saved me hours of work
Cheers Raj and NoRa, I’m so excited it helped you.
Bharath, your system is probably still infected with a virus. Please use any of the online virus scanner to scan all you system. Here is some information about some of the free online virus scanners.
http://technodigits.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/free-online-virus-scanners/
i was in search of this article(Folder Option disapear) for the long time.one of mine friend has send me this.
it was really nice to see this.
thanx alot
thanks, it really worked very well.
tat’s it! the site i was looking at!
I have a peculiar problem…I am using xpsp2 and in windows explorer, folder options is visible in the tools menu. but when i click on “show hidden files and folders” in the folder options, nothing happens. none of the hidden files and folders are displayed and when i go back to folder options i see that it has been set to the “do not show hidden files” option again. I want to know how to see hidden files in the system
Sachin, have you tried Ravmon Virus Killer
INTERNET DIAL UP CONNECTION NOT CREAT A CONNECTION
i got problem with it….its because of this virus “Trixcu.A”
It disables the following functions:
– Find of the Start menu.
– Folder options of the Start menu.
– the Task Manager.
– the Windows Registry Editor.
– the CMD shell.
# It hides the extensions of the files, and the files and subfolders that have the attribute hidden, in order to go unnoticed.
# It turns the computer off once it has carried out all the changes in the system, by running the following command:
shutdown.exe -s -f -t 1
Thanx a lot
Hi guys, have been surfing several hours about the tweaks on folder options, you’re among the few sites to actually hold people’s hands step by step. Keep trucking!
I was really worried about solving the prob of folder options getting vanished. Thanks man u hav the answer!!!
i got the nofolderoption but i set to 0 should i restart pc after i do that??
Wow…u guys are lifesavers…Thanks for tips & tools…
As for Drak..I too had the same problems with the virus/worm “Trixcu.A” but i manages to detected it early and use Autoruns and process explorer to disable/kill the virus at the startup process…after that I use Ravmon virus killer patch to restore my setting to the original. Or u can try manual editing (refer to http://edubase.com.my/v1/trixcu.a-worm.html).
Good luck!
My Folder Option Is Missing. Please tell me how can recover in task bar
Sir,
I am using Winxp prof. and i think i am lucky to see ur site today. i have been attacked with new folder.exe and as i have gone through ur site..u instructed to use RUN command! but in my system if i type anything on my RUN command box..like regedit..it opens in NOTEPAD!! what to do?? in my another system with winXP..the RUN command is missing! i think it is premature to say anything now as i have just downloaded all available tools frm ur site! THANKS IN ADVANCE. I will reply if i resolve all problems i am facing. Thank you.
thanx alote!! i have a virus in my computer its root all of my files and dont know what is the “Thumbs” anyone know it ? its from the damn virus i have
Sir,
I am using Winxp prof. and i downloaded and installed the tools provided by you.i have been attacked with new folder.exe and as i have gone through ur site..u instructed to use RUN ! but in my system if i type anything on my RUN command box..like regedit..it opens in NOTEPAD!! what to do?? in my another system with winXP..the RUN command is missing! i dont know what to do now! please help me.
Thank you Sir, My problem is solved.
My computer Window XP
The problem is some spum or program was installed automatically without demand in my computer when I surf internet. I dont want accept this program . The program is “Ptrotected your computer from virus”.I remove
it from Remove And Add Program in control panel, but at “time toolbar” down right side screen some of this program still on to appear every minutes. Let say is
” Your computer in risk infected from virus……..”
how to remove it from this windows bar
Thank You for your help this
Hi, I wrote a tutorial on removing the LSASS worm, one of its strands does have a “New folder.exe” launch file. Here’s the tutorial, maybe it will help: http://ittutor.wordpress.com/2007/08/20/cleaning-the-lsass-worm-part-2/
Nice blog u got here dude!! Will contact ya if got any problem!
But guess what, I couldn’t solve my problem. I repeated steps above several times but still my folder options is missing.
i got a problem recently missing folder options in widows tools menu and control panel. i downloaded Ravmon virus removal tool and run that tool after reboot that system folder option is appeard int tools menu. but it didnt show the hidden files when i put check the show all files option. and i was tried to do above u have said i go to run and type gpedit . but immediatly system will be reboot automaticall. please find the solution my problem.
AVG has healed the sohanad worm and i was very happy about, but now when i start my system it shows ssvichost.exe file is missing, pls can you help me to get rid with this.