How to hide system files?

[Paul]

I'm setting up my daughter's new PC that came with XP Home. I don't use that
OS but use Win98SE instead, so XP is quite foreign to me. Now...whenever I
open Windows Explorer and try to list out all the files in the <c:> root
directory, I get a listing of several folders with strange names, along the
lines of:

BCED50CA-ABDF-11D6-9ADBF3002426

There are, perhaps, a dozen or so of similarly named folders. Some have
subfolders named "Update" and "sp2" (or something similar). Are these what
I know as "system" files, like under Win98? While I know how to hide them
under Win98, I don't know how to hide only these folders under XP. So, how
do I hide these strange folders when viewing the <c:> root directory while
leaving in plain view other apps folders like Program Files, Windows, etc.?

 

[Don MI]

I'm setting up my daughter's new PC that came with XP Home. I don't use that
OS but use Win98SE instead, so XP is quite foreign to me. Now...whenever I
open Windows Explorer and try to list out all the files in the <c:> root
directory, I get a listing of several folders with strange names, along the
lines of:

BCED50CA-ABDF-11D6-9ADBF3002426

There are, perhaps, a dozen or so of similarly named folders. Some have
subfolders named "Update" and "sp2" (or something similar). Are these what
I know as "system" files, like under Win98? While I know how to hide them
under Win98, I don't know how to hide only these folders under XP. So, how
do I hide these strange folders when viewing the <c:> root directory while
leaving in plain view other apps folders like Program Files, Windows, etc.?

First, I have no idea what BCED50CA-ABDF-11D6-9ADBF3002426 file is.

As with Windows 98, Windows XP places system files in a folder under the
Windows folder. Not, in the root folder.

In Windows XP, as in Windows 98, you can hide any forlder or file by right
clicking and selecting "Properties" and the checking the hidden attribute.

As with Windows 98, you can rename folders and files to such as
oldBCED50CA-ABDF-11D6-9ADBF3002426 and see if you have any problems.

If your daughter is not computer illterate, she can configure her computer
to view any hidden files {or, she can find a boy friend you can.}

Don

 

[Paul]

First, I have no idea what BCED50CA-ABDF-11D6-9ADBF3002426 file is.

I just made that file name up for illustration purposes...

As with Windows 98, Windows XP places system files in a folder under the
Windows folder. Not, in the root folder.

These files, if they are system files, are under the root folder, not

In Windows XP, as in Windows 98, you can hide any forlder or file by right
clicking and selecting "Properties" and the checking the hidden attribute.

I tried that but the Properties for each of these folders is set to Read
Only and not Hidden. When I clicked on Hidden, it refused to accept the
change due to their Read Only status. Since I don't know what these folders
are for, I didn't want to mess with them further.

 

[Guest]

Why not simply make her account a restricted one. That way she can't make any global changes to the OS or install programs etc. To look at the available options go>start\run and type in control userpasswords2 and hit enter or click the ok. Then as the administrator you can go into the control panel\system\advanced tab and make sure the Show hidden and system folders is not checked. While you are there check out the other settings to see what you want or don't want. The files you name are found throughout the registry and can be anything from an option for IE to a TCP\IP adapter instruction. There are thousands of such things. You could turn off her abiltiy to access the registry if you don't want her to have a restricted account. You could make her a limited account in the control panel\user accounts. Read up in the help and support found under your start button. Have fun.