Hidden files (Win 95)

[Greg]

Has anyone been successful in using EditFlags in the registry to hide files? I want to prevent users from un-hiding files by selecting "Show all files" in the Window Explorer's view options. I thought if they could not see certain files (ie. system files), they cannot move or delete the files accidentally. I will not be allowed to just take away the Windows Explorer.
So far, I have not been able to get this registy edit to work. Anybody have an idea how to achieve my goal with EditFlags or by using another method?

[Anonymous]

go to dos prompt and go to that drive you want to hide. x:...x being the drive letter. then make a directory with md alt-2-5-5 hold down them all at once, the copy your hard drive into that directory or whateverhidden files you want. win95 will never see it in explorer, just in dos prompt

[Anonymous]

Could you expand a little on what do you mean by md alt-2-5-5 hold them all at once? thanks

[Petee]

I was following your recent problem 'Re: URGENT HELP!!!!' What he is saying is that you can rename a directory or create a new one by using extended characters by holding down the ALT key and typing a combination of numbers from the number pad in D.O.S. mode, which will give you extra characters that Windows is not able to recognize. This will show a file or folder that you would not be able to open or delete from Windows. So if I remember correctly alt 2,5,5 is a space that will not show a name. So by naming a directory with a space threw the extended characters, and changing the attributes to hidden (all threw D.O.S. mode of course) would hide the file and even prevent anyone from opening it even if it is found. This will only work with the file manager that comes with the operating system. There are others that you can download. This will also limit YOU from opening it up threw windows as well. You would have to go back in to D.O.S. I don't even think that you can hide system files in this manner and still expect windows to run correctly. I have not tested it in that manner before.
You know, that just gave me another Idea... That is something more to look into. We may be able to use the file manger that came with the operating system for other users and emplament a new file manger that is able to read the extended characters under our profile when we log on. Some thing more to ponder on.

[POBrien]

Here's the trick:

Drill down to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden

There are 3 subkeys:

NOHIDDEN
NOHIDORSYS
SHOWALL

If you delete the SHOWALL key the radio button option within the view options will disappear. You could do the same for the NOHIDDEN key.

You can execute a login script based on your network setup to run these inclusions into each desktop.

You could also run a script that would first change the "checked Value" (dword) in the NOHIDORSYS to active. dword:00000001


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\NOHIDOR SYS]
"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Expl orer\\Advanced"
"Text"="Do not show hidden or system files"
"Type"="radio"
"CheckedValue"=dword:00000000
"ValueName"="Hidden"
"DefaultValue"=dword:00000000
"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001
"HelpID"="update.hlp#51103"

Since the tweak's lie in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE the user would have to reboot/boot for the changes to take effect.
Also, the user could hit dos and change the attributes on a hidden/system file and access it. We can nix that action by adding a another command to the login script.

cd\
cd windows\command
erase attrib.exe



enjoy

[jstolz]

Your comment "Since the tweak's lie in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE the user would have to reboot/boot for the changes to take effect" got me wondering if there's any "quick and dirty" way of knowing what tweaks require a reboot, and which don't? Your comment seems to suggest that it depends on which hive you're modifying--is it as simple as that?

Regards...

[POBrien]

I can't state that tweaking any key or value in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE requires a reboot. I have noticed over the years that a tweak in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE does not come into effect unless a reboot/boot has been performed. I view HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE as static and Hkey Current User as dynamic. However, now Im wondering the same thing as you are.