Why can't I access Folder Options (in Windows XP)?

Asked by Jack79 (11027

) September 25th, 2009

This is on my laptop (I’m travelling right now). It’s got Win XP home edition (english) with SP2 iirc.

Anyway, I have this external USB drive which I know has some hidden files. But when I try to unhide them, it tells me to go to Tools/folder options (which you should also be able to find in the Control Panel normally). But I don’t have such an option. I managed to also hide another folder, and now I cannot find it again.

From what I remember, I could do all this on my home computer (which is thousands of miles away right now), and it also has the same OS. I assume it might have something to do with access rights, but I’m the only person using this laptop, and log in as “user”. I don’t even know if there is an administrator profile.

I tried reinstalling windows (due to a virus and not the folder options), but it’s the same thing.

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4 Answers

I found this. Could help. :z

“Go to Run (CTRL+R) write “gpedit.msc” and click OK.
In GpEdit, 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”

oratio (8940

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tried it but it won’t find “gpedit” :(
I’ll see if I can access explorer some other way…

Jack79 (11027

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@Jack79 Oh right, you have the home edition. It doesn’t come with the Group Policy Editor(gpedit). You could install it, but it could be tricky, and it doesn’t guarantee it will help. →¤

oratio (8940

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Try WinNC. It has explorer like appearance and it operates alike. So, it’s easy to use. It shows all those hidden files which you cannot see even after show hidden and system files in folder options.

When one of my pen drive (external USB flash drive) got infected with viruses, many folders and files were hidden because of virus. Then, this software came in helpful.

prasad (3859

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