hidden files in Vista

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I just helped someone toggle the "view hidden files" setting in Vista, in a user folder. Here are some steps...

First try going to your user folder, right-clicking, and click "Customize This Folder"
Nope, you're not allowed to.
OK, remember from prior Windowses that your user folder is actually in a different location. Documents and Settings... no, they've moved it to "Users"
Now "Customize This Folder" works, but the old View tab isn't there, so there is no "View Hidden Files" option isn't available.
Click on the "Tools" Menu. WTF? Where is the tools menu? What did they do with the tools menu? Does Alt+T even work any more? Oh, sweet lord it does. I bet they don't take that out until Windows 7. Upon tapping alt, the "Tools" menu appears, where you can click "Folder Options," and get to the good old "View" tab where you can choose to see your damn hidden files.

It's like they're *trying* to make it hard to use.

On that note, has anyone noticed how the file path to your user file has been getting progressively more and more obscure as Windows develops?
Windows 95/98 - C:\My Documents\, simple shortcut on the desktop, C:\Windows\Desktop\
Windows XP/ME/2000 - C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\My Documents\, shortcut on the desktop, which was located *in* the My Documents folder, but also appears as the top level of the file hierarchy, so you can start exploring the desktop, click My Computer, C:\, Documents and Settings\, Your User Name\, Desktop\... and be back where you started. Sort of. Without access to "My Computer" and "Recycle Bin," which, clearly, are not actually stored on your desktop.

I feel like Windows is *trying* to keep people ignorant as to the actual location of their files within the file structure. Perhaps a twisted method of encouraging brand loyalty?

Comments

Cagle said…
Thank you, George. I thought I just spontaneously got not-stupid when I started using the mac instead. Now I know the truth. For once, the problem does not lie with me.
January 29, 2010 at 8:26 PM
Anonymous said…
You have to express more your opinion to attract more readers, because just a video or plain text without any personal approach is not that valuable. But it is just form my point of view
February 20, 2010 at 6:47 AM
George said…
Dear Anonymous,

Thank you so very much for your help! I was previously unaware of my need to attract more readers, let alone express my opinions. Now, however, with your assistance, I am aware of such an obligation *and* how I might achieve it!

Cheers!
~George J.

ps - seriously, though, I don't particularly care if anyone reads this blog. It's mostly for me and anyone who feels like following it. My more public content right now is at http://eurovelo5.georgejemmott.com
February 20, 2010 at 12:20 PM
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