Removing Hidden Attributes

[FrankSG]

In XP Home edition, I can't remove the Hidden or Read Only attributes. In Win98 it was simple. You just had to right click, go to Properties and remove the check mark. It won't work with XP. If I try to that with XP, a box will come up asking me if I want to remove the attributes from this folder only or from this folder along with the sub-folders.
Which ever one I choose, it seems to be removing them, but the attributes are still there. I've even tried going to a command prompt and doing it like we used to do it with DOS using the attrib command. But that doesn't work either. I sure miss Win98 where we could boot to Safe Mode, Command Prompt Only. There must be a way---I think.
Frank SanGregory

[ErnieK]

This could be due to the File Protection in XP. This locks certain files so that they cannot be changed. Collake used to have a program for un-locking this. Did a quick check just now and it is stil there (WfpAdmin). http://www.collakesoftware.com/CSdownloads.htm

I have the file but have never used it so doo not knnow how effective it is. Download it but wait until someone else puts in some input before using it.

[FrankSG]

Thanks for the information, Ernie. I downloaded the file. Before I installed it, I went to System Restore and created a restore point in case I messed things up. I then installed the utility and opened it. It gave me a list of all the protected files that it could un-protect if I wanted to. But, the files that I wanted to remove the attributes from, were not on the list. So, I just un-installed the utility. I'm finding out that XP just does not give a person the control over the files as much as in WIN98. I suppose that's OK so that people just don't go about and deleting files that the system needs. But, I still like to have more control over my files. I think that they have way too many hidden files and way too many that you can't do anything with. But, that's only my opinion. Bill Gates must think differently. I still wish I could remove the attributes. I still miss WIN 98--I still miss DOS, and I still miss the 1933 Chevy that I learned to drive in.:) I know--I'm a little old fashioned. Have a good day.
Frank :)

[Paul Komski]

Interesting utility ErnieK; will definitely be having a play with that one.

System File Protection has gone up a gear with XP (in collaboration with other Software Vendors too). It's nearly doing my head in trying to get my little head round it all; a lot of crawling before I walk - let alone run. LOL :D

There is quite an interesting thread HERE (http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1007374617) about some of the problems and some of the "fixes".

A related "problem" is that even if you can get to and delete these protected system hidden files/folders, they are recreated from backups at boot up. The more SPs you use the more complicated it gets - and this applies to W2K too.

For the more "Gung-Ho" there is a RegTweak HERE (http://www.winguides.com/registry/category.php?131) which enables one to disable Windows File Protection.

[FrankSG]

I've found that out even with Win98. On a few of them, if I remove the attributes, as soon as I restart--there they are--back again. On XP, it worse. I'll check out that link that you sent me.

[Paul Komski]

He He. This self-replication at boot up; doesn't it remind one of virus activity or what! :mad:

For some extended refs to NT Security see here (http://doe-is.llnl.gov/ConferenceProceedings/DOECompSec97/handout.html)

[FrankSG]

Yes, I think MS went over-kill on this File Protection stuff. I visited that thread that you send me and found that a lot of people are ticked off about all the "ghost files "and folders they find and can't remove. But on that thread, I also found a fix to disable the Windows File Protection. I just printed it and I'm going to take a good look at it. You have to get into the registry to do it. But, that's OK. If a person doesn't like it, they can always undo it. I'm going to save what I printed out just in case I have to do just that. Later on this evening or maybe tomorrow, I'm going to give it a trial. I'll let you know how it works. If you want to check it out you can go there
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/790 and see what you think. I've got to say to anyone who is uncomfortable about editing the registry to use caution. Before I change the registry, I always go to System Restore and create a restore point.

[Paul Komski]

System restore is fine up to a point; but it is not as sophisticated tool as one might imagine. I would always backup the registry too and put it in MyDocuments; it would disappear from the desktop, when going on your time travels.

[FrankSG]

That brings up another question about XP. I knew how to backup and restore the registry in Win98. But how do you do it in XP??

[Paul Komski]

http://1stpick.org/pctips/registry#winxp.html

[Paul Komski]

In case you miss it, you might get some help on a thread I started HERE (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17747) :p