Remove Virus in XP that Disables “Show Hidden Files”

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.

25 Responses to “Remove Virus in XP that Disables “Show Hidden Files””

  1. Fatou Says:

    Thank you this works and I can now see hidden files.

    Only problem, the “show hidden files” option is displayed as “1″ instead. So now the two options I have are “do not show hidden files and folders” & “1″. So how do I change the text from “1″ to “show hidden files”…Note: when I selsct “1″ my hidden files are displayed withou problem.

  2. Praveen Kumar Agrawal Says:

    My Pc gets restarted whenever I tries to Open Registry Editor…….. or Whenever i tried to open task Manager…. or I want to installed any software in my Pc bu whenever itried o do it the software installation task has ben hidden in the mid of the installation….

  3. munchy Says:

    @praveen – i have no idea about that

  4. munchy Says:

    @jatou – if the system is working fine forget it and enjoy.

  5. G Malakos Says:

    Thanks, the choice “View hidden files” is now working.
    Did this removed the virus as well? Is there something more to do to prevent it from happening again?

  6. red Says:

    still don’t work….i follow the step but when i try to show hidden files nothing change…i open again the regedit….checked value still there i think it still looping how can i fix this problem…plz help

  7. red Says:

    another thing…when i create a new value…in the regedit it say’s cannot make…file exist….waaaaaa…plz help

  8. red Says:

    but i already delte the checkvalue,,,,

  9. isma Says:

    hey thanks! :D

  10. munchy Says:

    @red – it maybe some other virus .plz do a google search and try other methods as new variants keep on coming daily.

  11. Spread the techness.. | Tea Break Says:

    [...] indeed, it had been modified, so yes, I modified it again, and you can find the solution to it here. It’s a bit of a registry work, so proceed with [...]

  12. pooria Says:

    Thx, but in does not work.
    I guess the newly published viruses are much …than the previous ones.

  13. Abdul Aziz Says:

    I deleted checkedvalue but i am not able to create a new one i am getting error that the fie ame alread exits

  14. bibo Says:

    That sucks red. download sdfix to repair your registry. or maybe red is try to change the value but the virus is always reverting the value. First clean your pc after the virus is remove that is the cue to change the value of the checkvalue. if you want a script just email me corey_beastie@yahoo.com

  15. june ranara Says:

    thanks for the info, i can now access my file.

    although i canot change my folder’s attribute its ok.

    I wonder if you could provide me with a list or manual to FAQs about regedit, it would be great!

    Thanks again!

  16. ishika Says:

    hey i am deleting the CheckedValue file
    and again creating DWORD value called CheckedValue
    but its saying that this named file already exist and windows unable to create it what should i do now

    as this is a major problem for me.

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  17. Asif Says:

    Thanks dear! now i can also see my hidden files and folders

  18. Anup Says:

    Thanks buddy…..for giving superb solution…..
    but Is it not effect to any other system files.? or run smoothly.

  19. how and why Says:

    Explorer.exe needed to be Restarted.

    - run Task Manager by right click on task bar and click on Task Manager
    - Stop “explorer” in the tasks list
    - then File Menu -> Run = “explorer.exe”

    so you’ve restarted your cute explory

    Might be that’s why.

  20. binay Says:

    thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  21. Suzanne Says:

    Hello! Thanks for this very useful post. It certainly helped me. However, I had to run my anti-virus program(AVG) and deleted the worms causing it before this worked.

    Thanks and more power to you!

  22. TexasGrillchef Says:

    Still doesn’t work for me. Since the Virus is still there it keeps causing the problem. I have tried 9 NINE different antivirus programs. None of them are able to find the virus &/or remove it.

    I need help! What is the name of the virus? How do you remove the virus?

    Thank you

    TGC

  23. Laith Says:

    CHEEEERSS mate, thanks a lot :)

  24. Lekshmi Says:

    awesome man. this thng works.. thnxx so mch.. :)

  25. sachinanuj kk Says:

    sir u have given remedy for removing virus ,which is creating a problem of not showing hidden files and folders,but it doesn’t work,can u suggest any other method to remove this problem

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