Do you configure Windows to show hidden OS files?

[Muse]

I generally do and it hasn't gotten me in trouble. Do you? I kind of hate to have things hidden from me. :\

 

[Mem]

I do as well, guess it's a preference thing end of the day.

 

[postmortemIA]

One of first things that I do
Glad with Win 10 that setting is synced if you use MS account

 

[SparkyJJO]

I show file extensions and hidden files, but not protected system files. I find the extra clutter annoying (desktop.ini files all over for example) and I rarely need to bother with that stuff anyway.

 

[master_shake_]

in windows 3.1 i moved io.sys and msdos.sys and bricked my computer.

so no.

i don't bother with system files anymore.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

in windows 3.1 i moved io.sys and msdos.sys and bricked my computer.

so no.

i don't bother with system files anymore.

I've become adept and changing the "View/File options" dialog and changing the two checkboxes as needed. I "hide" the files again just as easily because -- as someone already said -- I don't wish to deal with the clutter.

 

[Charlie98]

I show file extensions and hidden files, but not protected system files.

^^^ That.

 

[Mike64]

I've become adept and changing the "View/File options" dialog and changing the two checkboxes as needed. I "hide" the files again just as easily because -- as someone already said -- I don't wish to deal with the clutter.

^ This

For a fairly long while at one point (so to speak), I had hidden files displayed basically "just because", but got tired of it well before I finally just "gave in" and let them stay hidden again. It's not like I don't know how to search and/or display them, and/or system files, when I need or want to... And for that matter, I really don't go randomly poking around the OS system much these days to begin with, and it's not like anything nefarious was ever "exposed" when I was looking around just for the hell of it and had hidden files displayed by default.

 

[pcgeek11]

Yes.

 

[sm625]

In windows 10 you can enable "show hidden files" but also enable "hide protected operating system files" which keeps copies of desktop.ini from appearing on the desktop.

 

[lxskllr]

I show file extensions and hidden files, but not protected system files. I find the extra clutter annoying (desktop.ini files all over for example) and I rarely need to bother with that stuff anyway.

Especially bolded. Too many shenanigans are possible hiding extensions. I can't believe that's still the default setting.

 

[Elixer]

Yeah, I don't even know why MS defaults to hide file extensions.

 

[bruceb]

Yes, I like to be able to see all the files.

 

[Mike64]

In windows 10 you can enable "show hidden files" but also enable "hide protected operating system files" which keeps copies of desktop.ini from appearing on the desktop.

That's not just in Windows 10. There have been separate settings to hide/display the two types as far back as Win95, as far as I recall, and even before there was a GUI environment that "displayed" files in directory/"folder" "windows", the attributes determined whether those files were listed by default along with ordinary "user" files...

hiding extensions. I can't believe that's still the default setting.

I had completely forgotten that hiding extensions even was the default. That is awful. Aside from the security issue (assuming a given user even knows what to beware of as far as that's concerned), just from a functional standpoint, it would drive me nuts not knowing what file type any given file was at a glance.

But then, I also forget how many "average users" are only vaguely, if at all, aware of Windows directory structures (excuse me, "folders"), and just dump their files in the default like Documents, Music, rather than organizing them in any sensible way, being reminded mostly when I try to help a family member deal with something and I ask them "where do you put XYZ files?", only to be met with blank stares (as if to say "what do you mean, 'put them'? I don't put them anywhere, I just click on 'save' "...)

 

[Puffnstuff]

Yes it's among the first things I do.

 

[Dude111]

I do....... I want to see all files....... (the windows search still doesnt search all areas I have noticed (On 98se anyway))

I also have REGSEEKER and the search on that IS NOT RESTRICTED @ ALL.. (All files show)

 

[tcsenter]

I show file extensions and hidden files, but not protected system files.

+1

 

[Muse]

Too many shenanigans are possible hiding extensions. I can't believe that's still the default setting.

Indeed. It would drive me nuts to not have file extensions displayed. When I started computing, IIRC the hide file extensions thing hadn't happened yet. Windows 3.1, DOS 6.x.

I think I am going to hide those protected operating system files this time. Those desktop.ini files, and more so the messages I have gotten at times asking me if I really want to delete or overcopy them, well, maybe those messages will go away if I hide them. Well, maybe not!

 

[TheRyuu]

I show file extensions and hidden files, but not protected system files.

This is the correct answer. Showing protected system files could be dangerous but at the very least extensions should be enabled by default (which can actually be a security issue if not shown).

 

[blankslate]

As others have mentioned I mainly show extensions.

Hidden OS files are hidden the vast majority of the time for me as MS has pretty much learned to tune their OS for the best performance in most cases and the vast majority most users don't have much need to fiddle with the OS files anymore...
If they ever really did need to.


_____________

 

[Dude111]

In windows 10 you can enable "show hidden files" but also enable "hide protected operating system files" which keeps copies of desktop.ini from appearing on the desktop.

Thats interesting....... I just realised my DESKTOP.INI file doesnt show (And I have SHOW ALL FILES selected)

I either select "Do not show hidden files" "Do not show hidden and system files" or "Show all files"

Im on 98se so I guess alot of things ARE THE SAME across window versions......

But Im curious why "desktop.ini" stuff doesnt show?? (Why is desktop.ini considered a protected file?? (It must be or it would show -- IT SHOWS IN WINDOWS SEARCH))



EDIT:

Just the 'desktop.ini' files that have the SYSTEM attribute checked DO NOT SHOW in the folders... (Even though I have SHOW ALL FILES checked -- INTERESTING)


I have 11 desktop.ini files (There isnt one on my actual desktop)