Folders in Local Drives missing!

[shanahben]

My PC was infected by a virus recently which made the folders in my local
drives (including My Documents and other users' My Documents folders) into
..exe applications, I noticed there was something wrong because the icons
changed all of a sudden from the usual 3D look of folders in XP to
flat-looking folders from Windows 2000. When I tried to open these folders I
was still able to see the subfolders and files inside them but a duplicate of
the parent folder also appeared inside (which is also an application
according to the description).

I ran a complete virus scan of my system and I was able to clean those
viruses but unfortunately, those folders that were changed into applications
by the virus are NO LONGER VISIBLE IN WINDOWS EXPLORER. I am still able to
access these folders through Start/Run but I don't get why they don't show up
in explorer. I tried un-hiding hidden files and folders in Folder Options
hoping the virus left these folders hidden---but nothing happened.

I also realized that all folders in my Local Disk C: have also disappeared,
including Program Files and Documents and Settings.

These folders are clearly not deleted since my drive capacity shows no
change in its usage, I just want to see them appear on explorer like they
used to. I tried accessing files in some applications but the folders do not
appear in the (Open) dialog box either!

So now, my Local Disks are without any visible folders, except for the files
that were not saved in folders.

I am using Windows XP SP3.

I would appreciate any kind help as I am getting frustrated. I'm glad the
virus is gone but I did not expect this problem as a result of that.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Elmo]

My PC was infected by a virus recently which made the folders in my local
drives (including My Documents and other users' My Documents folders) into
.exe applications, I noticed there was something wrong because the icons
changed all of a sudden from the usual 3D look of folders in XP to
flat-looking folders from Windows 2000. When I tried to open these folders I
was still able to see the subfolders and files inside them but a duplicate of
the parent folder also appeared inside (which is also an application
according to the description).

I ran a complete virus scan of my system and I was able to clean those
viruses but unfortunately, those folders that were changed into applications
by the virus are NO LONGER VISIBLE IN WINDOWS EXPLORER. I am still able to
access these folders through Start/Run but I don't get why they don't show up
in explorer. I tried un-hiding hidden files and folders in Folder Options
hoping the virus left these folders hidden---but nothing happened.

I also realized that all folders in my Local Disk C: have also disappeared,
including Program Files and Documents and Settings.

These folders are clearly not deleted since my drive capacity shows no
change in its usage, I just want to see them appear on explorer like they
used to. I tried accessing files in some applications but the folders do not
appear in the (Open) dialog box either!

So now, my Local Disks are without any visible folders, except for the files
that were not saved in folders.

I am using Windows XP SP3.

I would appreciate any kind help as I am getting frustrated. I'm glad the
virus is gone but I did not expect this problem as a result of that.

Thank you in advance.

Maybe it would be as simple as correcting the associations for folder,
directory and anything else that was affected.

Fix File Associations.
http://dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm