There is a certain virus that prevents XP users from viewing the hidden files.
The virus meddles with the ’Show hidden files and folders’ option in the Folder Options and the option keeps bouncing back to ‘Do not show hidden files and folders’, despite repeated trials.
Here is how you can set this problem right:
Navigate to the windows registry:
Go to Start menu
Click Run
Type regedit in the text box and then click Enter.
When the Registry Editor opens, perform the following steps:
Go to the following registry key:
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and then open Software.Under this navigate to: Microsoft -> Windows -> Current Version -> Explorer Then go to Advanced -> Folder -> Hidden -> SHOWALL
Delete the value CheckedValue.
(Its type should be REG_SZ and data should be 2 or 0.)
Create a new DWORD value called CheckedValue (same as above, except that the type is REG_DWORD).
Modify the value data to 1 (0×00000001).This should enable you to select the ‘Show hidden files and folders’ option without much problem.Do drop in comments if there are further queries and we shall try to find answers.

Hi dude, tried what you recommended. But it still doesn’t work. If you have any other suggestions they will be welcome.
clean ur computer with avast antivirus first then do the reg thing.
cheeeers
Check the registry setting:-
Start>Run>Regedit>OK
Now navigate to:-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL]
In the right pane the CheckedValue should be 0×00000001(1) and
DefaultValue should be 0×00000002(2).
thanks dude that works but only by makng the value as 1 as mentioned above by the guy munchy.
aneways thanks a lot …
Munchy is the one who wrote the post as well.
hey buddy.. that tip was really useful.. i had to restore my comp everytime i happened to change my folder settings previously. thanks tou its solved
Thanks a lot, ur sugg. guided me to remove the caused error.
My PC was infected with worm ibot.a and avpo.exe and it was opening drives in new folders.
I manually removed the above two worms and for the hidden file problem I used your formula.
Thank you very much…. It helps me a lot. Problem is solved.
Thanx buddy. it really worked !!
man its not working
@kunalrocks – try dis man.
Go to registry editor by running regedit in the run box.
Go to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
In the right hand area, double click hidden and change the value to 1.
i’ve tried the above method it desont work.
Start>Run>Regedit>OK
Now navigate to:-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL]
In the right pane the CheckedValue should be 0×00000001(1) and
DefaultValue should be 0×00000002(2).
after changing the checked value to 1 it automatically becomes o again after 2-3 refeshes.
what i should do???
hey it works! thx dude.
thanks a lot that helped me to fix the problem
Thanx a million, the people at on Microsoft (TechNet) couldn’t even help…
thanks alot
thanks a lot ,its really helped me out.
thank you very much MUNCHY. It works perfectly now. thank you so mch.brilliant work.
hi munchy!What is going on with my computer!?!?!? – Theres this window that keeps popping up that says
Warning! Potential spyware operation!
your computer is making unauthorized copies of your system and internet files. Run full scan no
to pervent any unathorised access to your files! Click yes to download spyware remover…
what shall i do for that .i have avg free edition. let me what i should do.if anyone knows pl tel me
@thirumani – go 2 dis link and read it and follow d process.
http://forums.techguy.org/malware-removal-hijackthis-logs/639199-solved-regular-popups-warning-potential.html
sorry munchy i couldnt understand the process given there in that link
@thirumani
Turn off restore points, boot, turn them back on – here’s how
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001111912274039?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam
Hey install Superantispyware and run a scan. It’ll remove all the spyware in your system. Adaware is also a good option.
thank you phoenix very much. some how i manage to delete the virus files now the pop-up is not coming but i couldn’t open my control panel and system properties. munchy if you are there pl suggest me
I don’t understand… you mean the “properties” that come up when you right click on the desktop?
hi munchy how are you .i have a new problem in my computer its says dungcoi virus. how can get rid of this thing . can pl help me.
Thiru.. I suggest you get a good antivirus and don’t visit all kinds of sites and download all kinds of apps without proper virus scan.
hi pho nix how are you, what about the avg anti virus ,is that fine. i didnt download anything. my system went for a hardware problem. after it came back that thing is happening. called dungcoi.can you suggest any other antivirus software if avg is not ok
Avast is free for a while but it is really good. AVG is also good I suppose though I have not used it.
Look at http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/124475-1/article.html
Th x… Finally i recover back my hidden files…
It help me alot…
Since i try remove avi.exe virus on my pc.. manually.. i success to reove em but it affected my hidden files permanently..
After few day keep surfing finally i find this… Thx again
yo man it works which was given by munchy thanks a lot for ur work keep it up
My PC is Infected of Dungcoi virus,
so please solve me this problem
Hey i tried it out.. but its of no use.. it does not let me create a new CheckedValue even after deleting the original one. After refreshing the deleted CheckedValue automatically returns with the data as 2 or 0. Wat should i do?
hello munchy………
i tried many times but couldn’t fix the problem………. can u plz help me out…….
its really frustating………
problem is about hidden files……. tried the process suggested by u……. but couldn’t fix plz help me out………
just wanted to say thanks alot coz the prob was bugging me for quite some time.. tks!
THANKS A LOT I THOUGHT THAT I HAD TO REINSTALL MY WINDOWS TO GET MY HIDDENS FILES BACK.
U ROCK!
THANKS AGAIN
hey the very second step does not work! once i hit the enter button after typing “regedit” nothing happens!!!!!!
Where did you type it?
hi munchy how are u iam fine , for long time i didnt have any problem with my system. suddenly i got some virus which stored my user folder. and its not allowing me to sign in yahoo messanger and also i couldnt see hidden file. pl help me
hi phoenix how are u .if u can also pl suggest some solution thank u
You can google for solutions once in a way.
Thanks! It worked perfectly
thanks keep itup
I’ve tried the above method it desont work.
Start>Run>Regedit>OK
Now navigate to:-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL]
In the right pane the CheckedValue should be 0×00000001(1) and
DefaultValue should be 0×00000002(2).
after changing the checked value to 1 it automatically becomes o again after 2-3 refeshes.
what i should do???
NEED A URGENT HELP ON THIS
munch, got this virus messing round with my hidden files… tried changing the CheckedValue to one but it automatically changes back to 0, also deleted the value and when i try to create a new dword value it tells me i cannot coz the value name already exists and then if i go out and in again into the showfiles folder, the deleted value is back again and its set to 0…. any advice on fixing this problem without re-installing windows would be appreciated…
if you can post, email me at freak_in_a_cage9000@yahoo.com with any solutions…
thanks in advance
Hey munch,
Ive got the same problem both freakinc and chintho has got..Ur earlier trick doesnt work..I think the worm has evolved…The most irritatin part is dat,,I cant get Rid of the worm even after I reinstalled My xp//How Crazy is dat??
same problem
scaned my computer a few times already, too
in my case, the text was changed to “?????????”
i got no idea why it happened but i guess your thing did the trick
i changed the text back too
Hi guys..thanks for all your comments. I will try and ask Munchy to come back with a solution. He is unavailable at the moment.
A serious problem ,
Same problem of hidden files & I tried registry tricks but dosn’t works
THe following observation is there , whenever I try to change the dword value of CheckedVaue to 1 & after refreshing it again become 0..!
what to do?
what should be download to the system until ti delete a virus which is hidden virus
what should be download to the system until to delete a virus which is hidden virus
A serious problem ,
Same problem of hidden files & I tried registry tricks but dosn’t works
THe following observation is there , whenever I try to change the dword value of CheckedVaue to 1 & after refreshing it again become 0..!
what to do?
Thanks a ton munchycool! You are GOD!
tq bro… it’s really works…
Thank you for solving this problem
Hi!
I tied these steps & yes, it did work. I was happy after this.
Thank You.
i have another problem in my show hidden option the options are gone and i think its some kind of turkish languge is there and in the regisry section the text option has this “Akan gue ingat semua”
any one can help me if any one want i can send the image if u gie my email at aydee4u@gmail.com
thanx
I tried the regedit step
CheckedValue is TYPE Reg_DWORD VALUE 1
The problem im facing is that the show hidden files option is unavailable in tools>folder option>view
What can i do
it is not allowing the chage the value
I have tried this about 2 months ago and it worked great. But now it keeps recreating the REG_SZ value and tells me I can’t rename/create value.
Sorry, I failed to add that the virus that did this places a file called limit.exe in my root directories. Replaces the following files with folders having the same name: regedit, command, cmd, edit, taskmgr, etc. Creates an autorun.inf file in each root directory which tell explorer to open/explore/find with limit.exe. It also places a file called msconfig.exe in the system32 folder. This file autoruns each time windows starts. These are the only things I was able to discover. it has really given me headache. I wish someone would make a cleaner for this worm. It infects even a flash or removable drive that is connected to the computer. Yea, I almost forgot. There is also a file called fun.xls.exe (with excel icon) in my root directory which is varified and updated every second or so. PLEASE HEEEELLLLLLPPPP. Thanks.
Thanks buddy!!!! It was a great tip
Same problem of hidden files & I tried registry tricks but dosn’t works
THe following observation is there , whenever I try to change the dword value of CheckedVaue to 1 & after refreshing it again become 0..!
what to do?
i tried doing that but when i created a new checkedvalue it said: the registry editor cannot rename new value #1. the specified value name already exists. type another name and try again.
but the thing is that i have deleted the 1st checkedvalue. what shld i do??
try dis all of you and i’ll post some more solns also..
Go to registry editor by running regedit in the run box.
Go to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
In the right hand area, double click hidden and change the value to 1.
ok pals,
after searching a lot on the internet i found out that there are only 3 solns to this problem
1.
Go to registry editor by running regedit in the run box.
Go to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
In the right hand area, double click hidden and change the value to 1.
Now you’re all set to go. Check it in your tools menu if the changes have taken effect.
2.
Find the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL
Look at the “CheckedValue” key… This should be a DWORD key. If it isn’t, delete the key.
Create a new key called “CheckedValue” as a DWORD (hexadecimal) with a value of 1.
The “Show hidden files & folders” check box should now work normally. Enjoy!
3.
If none of the above methods work, please download our Smart Antivirus from here:
http://technize.com/2008/01/22/smart-anti-virus/
Using this antivirus, please restore your Windows settings and your show hidden files and folders will be set to default.
HI.. I’VE got the same problem.. i think the virus that causes this is kgt8bl.cmd this is what i’ve been seeing in my antivirus when it scans my pc.. but it doesn’t detect it as a virus.. it also has a 1p1f1x.com in it and an autorun.inf …. what should i do with this.. a lot of antiviruses doesn’t recognize this.. what should be done??
Thanks munchy! You saved my day!
thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hello every one first thing first. get a damn good antivirus softie and do a in-depth scan/analysis of your pc first. Thn try these registry tricks or else it wont work. The virus would keep editing the registry if you dont remove it!! and thankx munchy!
thank u so much.i got my answer from this site. i wanna to know all about operating system and system registry files.
when I make new value of CheckedValue my computer says the file already exists even after removing the old CheckedValue file
thanks a trillion
I did as u suggested but in vain….i m facing the same problem….whenever i try to creat a dword file with the name of “CheckedValue” its shows that another file with this name already exists…..and computer itslef creates the file named “CheckedValue” with the value data to 0….whenever i try to change it to 1….its bounces back to 0 and thus my hidden files are not being opened yet……please help!!!!
wow, thanx for the registry modification. I got this virus when I inserted a mem card and even the kasperski antivirus coudn’t detect or remove it. Thanx to you, I am able to show hidden files. I had a lot of important files in one of my hidden folder
can u tell me the name of this virus and why the antivirus program wasn’t able to detect it?
hii..thanks..it worked
how to speed up my system(xp)
thanks a lot dude!
it’s working, hehe..
after i clean my system from viruses and deleted all the autorun.inf, the system back to usual..
Same problem, and after refreshing the value 1 becomes 0 again!!!
Worked for me. Thank you very much!
use this soft it worked for me
be sure
http://www.technize.com/2008/01/22/smart-anti-virus/
The fix worked but now it wont remember my view settings
hey, can anyone help me , dealing with the virus abk.bat(kamsoft.exe process) ???
thanks.. dude it worked for me…
after searching a lot on the internet i found out that there are only 3 solns to this problem
1.
Go to registry editor by running regedit in the run box.
Go to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
In the right hand area, double click hidden and change the value to 1.
Now you’re all set to go. Check it in your tools menu if the changes have taken effect.
——————————————————————-
Hey, i did a stupid thing and deleted the value “Hidden”, can anyone tell me tha values in order to create a new value?
Thanx a lot
IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
GUYS it works…….in addition to this….also do this following method….
# Double-click on the My Computer icon.
# Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
# After the new window appears select the View tab.
# Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders.
# Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide file extensions for known file types.
# Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
# Press the Apply button and then the OK button and shutdown My Computer.
it will surely solve your problem, and do clean your computer from viruses (its the beginning to solve the problem ) !!!
thx very much
thnx a lot dude….
finally aft tryin n no.of antiviruses ur soln solved my prob of hidden files opt….
thnx again…
Thanks a lot, it works:)
Thanks a lot for help me
my computer is affected with tmpc.exe. ie opens automatically due to. may anyone help?
actually internet explorer pop up automatically due to it.
thank you dear… this really helped me
Love you !!!
Please informe whitch way is better for Hidden File:
this way:
Go to registry editor by running regedit in the run box.
Go to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
or :
# Double-click on the My Computer icon.
# Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
# After the new window appears select the View tab.
# Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders.
# Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide file extensions for known file types.
# Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
# Press the Apply button and then the OK button and shutdown My Computer.
I am waiting for your response.
Regards,
Thanks a lot… I’ve been confuse with my pc before… Lucky for me can read ur page… Thanks again…
thanks mand !!
This has helped me.
Thanks Brother!!! You ROck
AWEsome..very reliable!
Thanks a lot, it’s really work for me.
I can show all my hidden file back.
i tried to create a new d_word with d name ‘checkedvalue’,but it says that the name is existing.please bail me out.i need my hidden folders urgently.
For Yunus shehu, i think, you better delete the old “checked value” before you create it.
i succeded in creating the new checked value, but the problem persist.
These are the value i had in my registry editor.
Default
Checkedvalue
Defaultvalue
helpID
HelpRoot
RegPath
Text
Type
i had all these neatly arranged in my editor.please take a careful look and point out which of the value is not required so i can delete it.
thanks
my regard.
The registry trick worked for me too,i have done this before.i had a problem like many off you with renaming the value as it comes back again.that means that u still got some kind of spyware or virus like trojan backdoor on your computer running in background.first u must turn it off from a start up: go to run and type msconfig than ok.go to start up and uncheck all suspicious items like system32/olhrwef.exe cause they r probably a viruses.when done press ok and restart pc.and then u can do this trick with registry and it will work 100% but that doesn’t mean that you’ve got rid of the virus so my advice is that u get spyware doctor and remove it or a good antivirus to delete it.
Cheers
WOW!! it worked for me!! thanks!!
at first i don’t know how do the “1(.00000001)” thing.. but after so many trials i came to an output that worked for my hidden files!!
thanks a lot!!
A BIG HELP FOR ME!!
Thanks a lot!!
you really helps me ^__^
i done what was asked to do but !!!! no resultt !! the black point that has to indicates if show hidden files or don’t show hidden files has disappeared !
i dunno what to do !
and the virus is still there disabling it again…
Hello friends
I have been sufering from the same problem from last 1 week, the problem was of hidden files, i have done all the things but the problem of checked value automatically coming to zero persists untill i did this:
1) i downloaded “mata_virus_amvo_usb.zip”: when i run this the problem get solved, basically it removes 2fiy.bat and abk.bat, but when i restarted my computer the problem reoccurs————–got frustrated, then i did this
2) i rerun “mata_virus_amvo_usb.zip” so that i can view hidden files
3) i downloaded “removeitpro_trial.exe”: i run this but since it is a trial version i
could only view the infected files and there locations but cannot fix it
4) i noted down all the infected files and there locations
5) Than i manually removed them one by one.
6) restarted my computer and the problem was gone
7) Don’t know will this be sucessfull forever. i think it will be
TRY my frinds and get rid of theses viruses
thx munchy,it works!!!
Thanks a lot its working 100 %
It worked perfectly …. a Big T H A N K Y O U.
thanx buddy very much..
but i too have one more problem….
my pc shows “your computer will shutdown in 45 minutes ….”
& is only cancelled by typing “shutdown -a” at the run program….
plz help me out….
& thanx again.
I tried your way to show hidden files and folders but what has happened here is when i go to tools->folder options->view .. the option to show hidden files and folders has disappeared !! only the option to not to show hidden files and folders is there . What to do !?!
thx very much this post very important
Hai my pc toolbar option in no folder option key so virus afected on hidenfiles so how can clear this solved prolem ..
Hi Munchy
Thanx. It worked well enough to get two Trojan worms deleted form the system. I still have one hidden file that is being picked up by F Secure in the C:\Documents and Settings\”Username”\Local Settings\temp\hkdl___.dll but not displayed when hidden files is selected. Can you assist?
Thanks it is working !
hi..
thanks dear it works..
thanks a lot
Thanks! It worked perfectly
Hey Munchy, How are You. Well.. It has not help me.
i’ve tried the above method it desont work.
Start>Run>Regedit>OK
Now navigate to:-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL]
In the right pane the CheckedValue should be 0×00000001(1) and
DefaultValue should be 0×00000002(2).
after changing the checked value to 1 it automatically becomes o again after 2-3 refeshes.
what i should do???
I would be highly obliged if u help me and i can judge u r a good high profile software engineer too!!
U could help me by passing ur comment on my e-mail address. THANX!!!!
With Regards.
THANX A LOT!!!! Durlanac!!!!
It really worked.
CHEERS FOR DURLANC!!!!
can u tell me what soloution did durlanc gave u further?
THANKS i really do thank you.
the trouble shooting pocess for the virus that hides hidden files is vry gud…
i want to know trouble shooting process that “DO NOT allow to RENAME files”…
thanks it worked out
thanks alot dude……..!!!!!!!!
it works….bigtime..!!
thx dude, it works!
Hey , thanks a lot . its relay worked for me ..
Thanks a lot
thank you very much man
i love youuuuuu
Great ! Works just fine,thanks
my pc was infected with hidden files virus.no antivirus was able to catch it. but your method did it for me. thanks a lot buddy
woah!
is that all>
thanks man!it worked!
Hey, I have this virus in my PC, i cant’ show hidden files, cant access drives by double clicking, and recently when i play a song or movie there is no sound.
PLZ PLZ HELP any body
I forgot to mention that I’ve tried the methods that u mentioned but none of them worked, help again.
hey i tried it but a pop up appears showing the following message
“resistry editor has been disabled by the administrator”
wat should i do???
hey i tried it but a pop up appears showing the following message
“resistry editor has been disabled by the administrator”
wat should i do???
thanks dude …it solved my problem.
thanks man….
You helped me a lot… Thanks
Thanks bro……………. It worked. I appreciate you for your help……. gud work
Thanks a lot.. It’s working very well.
I HAVE ALREADY USE THIS FOR REMOVE VIRUS BUT NOTHING WORKS REGISTRY ENTRY CANNOT BE MODIFIED TELL ME WHAT TO DO NOW
Hello, I’m really in a fix here. We use our computer to keep a breathing machine going. The other day a pop up came to say there are 5 viruses in C drive, and 7 in D drive. We are fearful that something will happen at night and crash the computer because of the hidden viruses. If any one can type out clear instructions in steps, all our prayers will be with you…thanks ahead of time….ceja
This works great! Perfect I should say! Thanks.. =)
Thanks yaar!!! After several tries with variou antiviruses, you process just worked fine. Love You…
Thanks man! It helps alot!
Thanks buddy this worked,however the type was already “REG_DWORD” for the CheckedValue but the value was wrong which I had to correct.
Thanks bundles!!
he dudde howz u…???ma pc show the option of hidden files bt when i click for show hidden file n then apply it.it doesn`t show me the hidden file.dude wht can i do
plzzzz help me
THIS WORKED WELL… thanks a lot.
my hero i need some help pls…i got a problem on my pc the control panel is made unavailable.i cant hear sound also and there’s a lot of popups which i dont know why. i install an anti virus but its of no use.pls help me how to fix it…..
it works, the problem is over, many thanks buddy
wat about d virus? is it still in the pc? i mean, if you put a mobile disk in ur pc then inserting it on another pc, is the virus gonna infect the other pc?
thanks a bunch, it works fine
thank you it works for me
Thanks,
The metod of showing hidden files and folders, according to your explain has functioned very well.
Thank you very much….
thanks a lot buddy! works like a charm!
Great! It works perfectly after a HERSS.EXE infection (and remotion)
Thanks a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot
Hi,
Great work. It really worked for me. Thanks to all for the help.
Thank’s a lot man!!!
Now It’s OK
Regards!!!
thanks dude this is realy worked process. thanksssssssssssssssssssssssssssss dude
Thannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnksssss so much. It worked and can view my outlook pst.