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”
Thanks. i got gpedit.msc and registry solution by your site. and i got actual relief in my work.
Thanx Again
Kamlesh
This Procedure works for me:
Run –>gpedit.msc
Go to these specified items on the left then collapse:
User Configuration –> Administrative Templates –> Windows Components –> Windows Explorer (Open here)
Double-click “Removes Folder options menu from Tools menu”
Check “Disable” (IF “Not configured” is default)
If it doesn’t work still, try to restart the system.
hi
thanks
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
sikander.ali@gmail.com please sned me solution on my mail addres
I have a problem with my folder options I’m getting the folder options in my tools menu but the problem is even when i enable the “show hidden files and folders ” option it is not showing the hidden files and by default it is taking “do not show hidden files or folders” how can i solve this problem…
i’m using windows xp pro with service pack 2.
i’m waiting for respond thanks a lot…..
Great post. This is very useful because i have the same problem.
i hv problem yet after all
some one plz help me for openning folder option.
it is not open using all above help
Wow! this is simply great and very helpful. It work perfect in my pc. Thank you very very much.
i dun know y suddenly my folder option missing ……i go find from control panel or any folder tools…also cant find it…..
its really good stuff ..
everything is usefull n compact in size ..
My folder option is missing, i tried gpedit.msc which is not working cause windows is not able to find it due to almanahe.exe virus which gets downloaded as a cookie and extracts itself n then downloads trojandownloader. I tried everything but yet not successful for a solution pls help me out.
Hi sani as i was also receiving registry editing disabled error n gpedit too was not working so i tried patch file to enable registry editing n then tried ur way n it worked. thanx for solution if any problem u can put on this page we’ll help each other.
“Ridz, thanks for the comment. Please download our smart antivirus from our downloads sections and restore all your Windows settings.
http://technize.com/antivirus-tools/
Select Smart_AV.exe to download the software. Install and use. Do tell us about your experiences afterwards.”
thank you sanix! my folder options are restored! also, im going to try those online scanners. thanks again!!
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
yea so i recently go this stupid virus, the whole “go google” crap, where u go on google and whenever u select a link it redircts to some other website. i ran a bunch of spam and virus scans and it removes the a trojan virus, i ran in safe mode and it stil removes a trojan. google still isnt working but the computer is working sorta.
i cant get to the hidden files, my folder options are restricted or something and the computer isnt allowing me to restore to a certain checkpoint. my question is…
i get to this point HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer.. but explorer isnt in policies, i dont see it.. i dont think its there. any help would be greatly appreciated
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..
Please Help me…
lost my nick softwere in my wondows xp home edition unable to connect to the internet.my provider say what do i have to get this softwere back can i reformat. will that help me get it back would some body help me need help bad thank you so much tom
Thanks Sanix for the tweak on Registry about folder options,hope to learn a few more from you,thank you.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,
thanks, worked like a charm! :):):)
i am refering to post on 29th may 2007.i type in regedit in run and the computer auto-restart itself.what should i do?
i have tried the regedit but get disabled by administrator, but i am the admin and don’t know how to use this, any help?? i don’t have the folder option in control panel and have tried gpedit but it is not on my xp home edition. thanks for any help.
i cant open the gpedit.msc file i’m usin xp sp2 proffessional.The message box appears that:-
Snap-in-failed to intialize.
Name:Group Policy Object Editor
CLSID:{8FCOB734-A0E1-11D1-A7D3-0000F87571E3}
I cann run disk defragmenter
I cannot run disk defragmenter.
‘disk defragmenter could not start’
thanks 4 da advice
My taskbar wont work on me. I don’t have the run button and it wont let me place it there at START. It says it there are restrictive effects on the computer. So I tried the C:\Windows\System32\gpedit.msc way. It then says access to it is disallowed. Help. I really need to get the hidden folder option back.
When my antivirus killed the virus on my usb, it hid the folders. I know because the size is still the same and whenever I paste the same file in there, it says it’s already there and if I’d want to replace it. Thank you so much.
Cristina, you can download our Smart Virus Remover tool and restore all your settings. If don’t have any antivirus installed, then you can see our top 5 free antivirus softwares and use whichever you like.
VERY COOOL thnx alot
Can you help me? my pc is infected by flashy.exe, and it disabled the folder options, i tried every step you wrote before and still it is not working, can you help me?
Kat, thanks for your question. Here’s the solution to your flashy.exe infection:
How To Remove Flashy.exe Virus
Please do tell me if the solution is working. Thanks.
TQVM… I successfully using this method to view folder option.
thanx for your help my computer is back to normal..more power to you guys..
Thanks for the awesome solution! You make it look so simple! =)
My folder options disappeared. I downloaded the Smart Virus Remover to get it to show up again. It does, however, only for a while. Then I get a notice from my SpySweeper about the file texrtsjhfr84iusjfo84f loading on my computer. My spy sweeper lets me decide whether I want to keep or remove it. I select remove but it stays on my computer. When I try go back to the folder where it is located I can’t because hidden files are not visable anymore and my folder options are gone again. Grrr it’s a never-ending cycle!! I have now rebooted my computer about 4 or 5 times and my folder options will not show anymore. Oh and now I can’t see pictures on websites. Well they come up as blank boxes with some little square that I have to right-click and then click show picture. Help! Please
thaks a lot buddy for your help
thanks… it worked.. even in Windows 7…;-)
Hey!
First, i want to thank you! My folder options is back…
But when i try to click the button “do not show hidden files” it doesn’t change so I still can’t see the hidden files in my USB.
Its great! I’ve found this solution for my notebook. btw what caused it disappeared from explorer?? 🙂
HI I M SHAM THIS IS VERY NICE THAT U R HELPING ALLS
BUT CAN U HELP ME
I HAVE WINDOWS XP
AND I CAN SEE FOLDER OPTIONS
IT CAN OPEN
THERE IS “VIEW”
BUT IN VIEW I DONT SEE
“SHOW ALL HIDDEN AND SYSTEM FILES”
CAN U HELP ME OUT
Sham you can use our Smart Virus Remover tool and restore your Windows Defaults including Show Hidden Files and Folders:
http://www.technize.com/2009/02/15/smart-virus-remover-1436/
PLS HELP ME
thanksssssss
thank you so much. you solved my problem!!! 😀
Thanks. It works!
Thanks a lot Sanix for help of peoples.
Hey my folder options is missing. and even my regedit was diabled.. but i somehow managed to open it with the help of solutions from the internet. but this folder option enabling method is not working. even ur method is not working. pls let me know wat should i do?
Thanks in advance.
Anoop you should use our Smart Virus Remover to enable all Windows settings:
http://www.technize.com/?dl_id=6
Thanks but i reinstalled XP. but thanks for ur comments.
hi sanix ,
thnx a lot , i also facing this problem “folder option missing” and by your valuable post i get it back again .
u have a great spirit to solve a problem .
thanx again. [:)]
Thanks for the hint, it saved me a lot of time looking around.
Thank you ! this is the first place that has let me sort out loads of problems without a load of pointless jargon !
I have tried the gpedit.msc fix and I have tried the Smart Virus Remover recommended by Sanix to restore my “Folder Options” in the control panel. However, neither of these approaches have solved the issue. Is there a possibility that such a feature like “Folder Options” could be permanently removed? Or am I doing something wrong?