Viewing hidden files

Viewing hidden files

To view system files on any Windows version, you must be able to view hidden files in Windows Explorer or in the My Computer window. Lab 19-1 details the steps you can use in any Windows version to view hidden files.

Lab 19-1: Showing Hidden Files in Windows Explorer

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Explore.

2. On the Tools menu, choose Folder Options, and then click the View tab to display the file view options. Figure 19-6 shows the file options in Windows 98.

3. In Windows 9 x and NT, under the Hidden Files options, change the selection to Show All Files.

In Windows 2000, change the option to Show Hidden Files and Folders.

4. Click OK.

Instant Answer The following files are hidden by default on a Windows system (the files are listed by their filename suffixes):

l 386 files: Virtual device driver

l DLL files: Program extension files

l DRV files: Device drivers

l INI files: Program initialization files

l SYS files: System files

l VXD files: Virtual device drivers

Changing file attributes

Another file-related action you need to know for the exam is how to change file attributes. Four file attributes can be set on a file (or folder) in Windows:

l Archive: This attribute indicates a file that is marked to be backed up.

l Hidden: This attribute prevents a file from appearing on directory listings.

l Read Only: This attribute indicates a file that can be read but cannot be changed or deleted.

l System: This attribute indicates a file that is used only by the operating system and is not typically displayed on a directory listing.

Instant Answer The ATTRIB command is used to display and modify the file attributes of a file. To view or change the file attributes for one or more files from the command prompt or through Windows Explorer, follow the processes in Labs 19-2 and 19-3 .

Lab 19-2: Changing File Attributes from the Command Prompt

1. To display the current attributes of a file change to the directory of the file and enter the following command:

ATTRIB MYFILE.DAT

The system displays something like this:

A SHR MYFILE.DAT

The series of letters at the beginning of this line are the first letters of the current attributes: A stands for Archive; S for System; H for Hidden; and R for Read-only.

2. To remove an attribute from a file, use the minus sign (–). For example:

ATTRIB –S –H –R MYFILE.DAT

This command removes the System, Hidden, and Read-only attributes from the file.

3. To add an attribute to a file, use the plus (+) sign. For example:

ATTRIB +H MYFILE.DAT

This command adds the Hidden attribute to the file.

Lab 19-3: Changing File Attributes in the Windows Explorer

1. In the Windows Explorer, right-click the file and select Properties.

In the Attributes section of the Properties window, the attributes that are enabled have checkmarks.

2. To remove or add an attribute to a file, simply check or uncheck the attributes as you desire.

3. To change the System attribute, you must do it from the command prompt (see Lab 19-2).