How to un-system file a file?

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Don Wiss - 25 May 2008 22:18 GMT

Someone gave me a folder where he made the jpgs hidden system files. Right
clicking on Properties doesn't have anything. So how do I restore them to
normal files? Do I have to shell out to the command prompt and set some
attribute there?

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

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db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. . - 25 May 2008 22:30 GMT

that may be a problem
to avoid because pics
can be encoded with
virus's and is a regular
method of inadvertent
infections.

if those pics are seen as
system files then i would
avoid them.

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db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

> Someone gave me a folder where he made the jpgs hidden system files. Right
> clicking on Properties doesn't have anything. So how do I restore them to
> normal files? Do I have to shell out to the command prompt and set some
> attribute there?
>
> Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

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John Barnett MVP - 25 May 2008 22:30 GMT

The first thing to do is unhide the folder. I think whoever gave you the
folder simply made it a hidden folder. Take a look at this link from my
website:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_enable_show_hidden_file.htm

Once you have enabled the show hidden files and folders the files should
become visible. Now if you right click on either the older or a file and
select properties you should be able to 'disable the 'hidden' option by
removing the tick from the 'hidden' box in the file properties and then
pressing OK.

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Windows Desktop Experience

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Don Wiss - 26 May 2008 04:52 GMT

>"Don Wiss" asked:
>> Someone gave me a folder where he made the jpgs hidden system files. Right
>> clicking on Properties doesn't have anything. So how do I restore them to
>> normal files? Do I have to shell out to the command prompt and set some
>> attribute there?

>The first thing to do is unhide the folder. I think whoever gave you the
>folder simply made it a hidden folder. Take a look at this link from my
>website:
>http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_enable_show_hidden_file.htm

They were not in a hidden folder. I have always had Explorer set to display
all files and all file extensions. So I always saw them. And I could double
click on them and they would display in IrfanView.

>Once you have enabled the show hidden files and folders the files should
>become visible. Now if you right click on either the older or a file and
>select properties you should be able to 'disable the 'hidden' option by
>removing the tick from the 'hidden' box in the file properties and then
>pressing OK.

When I right clicked the Hidden checkbox was disabled. I went ahead and
deleted them (using Shift-Delete).

Note these were not simply hidden files. They were set to being system
files. Any attempt to touch them brought up a warning that they were system
files and my computer or one of my programs may no longer work correctly.

If you reread my original post you will see my question was not about how
to see hidden files, but how to change a system file to a normal file.

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

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Tim Slattery - 27 May 2008 14:28 GMT

>Someone gave me a folder where he made the jpgs hidden system files. Right
>clicking on Properties doesn't have anything. So how do I restore them to
>normal files? Do I have to shell out to the command prompt and set some
>attribute there?

The GUI interface lets you set and clear the "hidden " attribute, but
not the "system" attribute. To do that you need to go to the command
console. Navigate to the affected folder and type:

attrib -s -h *.*

That should turn off the system and hidden attributes for all files
within the current directories. As always, for help type:

attrib /?

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Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)
Slattery_T@bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

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