Invisible folder

MrSpock · Post by **MrSpock** » 07 Mar 2008 00:32

Hi!

I've noticed that the folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc is invisible in XYplorer, at least in Windows Vista x64. I am able to see it in Windows XP.

Why is it invisible, and are there any other folders XYplorer hide?

Regards,

MrSpock

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 07 Mar 2008 01:00

Hi and welcome to the XY experience!

About your issue: In Config / General, you do have the appropriate checkboxes set, right? Such as "Show hidden files" and "Show system"...

But also, Vista has a tendency to hide things more than XP ever did...at least that's what I've been told and read...so not sure if it's related to Vista or XY...

And XY, as far as I've seen it, tends to show me more things than Win Expl does! Because it doesn't understand some of the Windows things that can be used to hide folders...

MrSpock · Post by **MrSpock** » 07 Mar 2008 01:36

Thanks for a quick reply.

Yes, I do have set all checkboxes about showing hidden files. I've also opened XYplorer with administrative rights, but with no difference.

Both explorer.exe and cmd.exe are able to show the folder in the standard user context. There is nothing strange about permissions on this folder. The Users group have "Read & execute" aswell as "List folder contents" permissions.

Post by **admin** » 07 Mar 2008 08:14

Hi!

MrSpock wrote:I've noticed that the folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc is invisible in XYplorer, at least in Windows Vista x64. I am able to see it in Windows XP.

Interesting! As jc said in the other post, usually XYplorer sees more than most other file managers.

In the next BETA upload here in the forum, I'll add a check in form of a script (yep, scripting can be quite useful for debugging). Enter the following in the address bar
::exist C:\Windows\System32\drivers\
and press enter.
A message box will appear. It should show 3 times "True"...

@jacky: do not add to wiki. These are just one-time debugging commands.

MrSpock · Post by **MrSpock** » 07 Mar 2008 10:46

I will try that when the beta is published. I did some additional testing and came to the conclusion that the folder is invisible in Windows Vista x64 (clean install), but not in Windows Vista x86 (clean install). The folder is not just invisible in x64, it is inaccessible. I entered the path in the address bar and hit enter:

Couldn't find location:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

Are you able to reproduce this in your environment?

Post by **admin** » 07 Mar 2008 11:02

MrSpock wrote:I will try that when the beta is published. I did some additional testing and came to the conclusion that the folder is invisible in Windows Vista x64 (clean install), but not in Windows Vista x86 (clean install). The folder is not just invisible in x64, it is inaccessible. I entered the path in the address bar and hit enter:

Couldn't find location:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
Are you able to reproduce this in your environment?

I can access it in XP.

MrSpock · Post by **MrSpock** » 07 Mar 2008 11:52

My results:

::exist C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

Does 'C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\' exist?

ExistItemFF: False
ExistPathOrFile: True
ExistIcon: False

::exist C:\Windows\System32\drivers\

Does 'C:\Windows\System32\drivers\' exist?

ExistItemFF: True
ExistPathOrFile: True
ExistIcon: True

Post by **admin** » 07 Mar 2008 12:43

MrSpock wrote:My results:

::exist C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

Does 'C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\' exist?

ExistItemFF: False
ExistPathOrFile: True
ExistIcon: False

Definitely a surprise. I think I've never seen this combination before. If ExistItemFF (private function name, only I know what's behind it) returns False then I have no way to list the contents of this folder.

So Vista really hides stuff in a new way. Hm.

MrSpock · Post by **MrSpock** » 07 Mar 2008 13:02

I see. Please, drop me a line in this thread when/if you resolve this mystery.

eurytos · Post by **eurytos** » 07 Mar 2008 15:06

I found a couple suggestions which may be worth trying.

1 - run xyplorer as administrator. It is not enough to be logged in as admin you need to do a right click 'run as' and then type in the credentials

2 - set the owner to 'Administrators' and grant Administrators full control.

3 - Finally this may help.

Control Panel > Administrative Tools
Select: Local Security Policy (when prompted, click Continue)

In the left pane, expand Local Policies and click Security Options.
In the right pane, scroll down to User Account Control:
Double-click on: "Behavior Of The Elevation Prompt For Administrators In Admin Approval Mode"

In the drop-down box on the Local Security Settings tab
Select Elevate Without Prompting, Click Apply/OK

MrSpock · Post by **MrSpock** » 07 Mar 2008 16:13

eurytos,

Thanks for your suggestions. As stated earlier I tried executing XYplorer as administrator (with "run as").

Disabling or weakening UAC is definitely not an option for me and changing permissions of a system folder is not a solution (maybe a workaround). I still have Windows Explorer for those rare cases, but I do expect to be able to see all my files with XYplorer too (because it's such an awesome app!).

Post by **admin** » 07 Mar 2008 16:44

MrSpock wrote:I still have Windows Explorer for those rare cases, but I do expect to be able to see all my files with XYplorer too (because it's such an awesome app!).

Check Menu View | Show Items | WOW64 Redirection (64-bit only)!

MrSpock · Post by **MrSpock** » 07 Mar 2008 17:00

admin wrote: Check Menu View | Show Items | WOW64 Redirection (64-bit only)!

I downloaded the latest beta, but the problem persists (with WOW64 Redirection checked).

Post by **admin** » 07 Mar 2008 17:08

MrSpock wrote:
admin wrote: Check Menu View | Show Items | WOW64 Redirection (64-bit only)!
I downloaded the latest beta, but the problem persists (with WOW64 Redirection checked).

Pity, I thought I got it.

Post by **admin** » 07 Mar 2008 17:09

admin wrote:
MrSpock wrote:
admin wrote: Check Menu View | Show Items | WOW64 Redirection (64-bit only)!
I downloaded the latest beta, but the problem persists (with WOW64 Redirection checked).
Pity, I thought I got it.

PS, damn, I should have set UNcheck WOW64 Redirection!

XYplorer Beta Club

Invisible folder

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