Windows 10: Accidentally hid all the folders under program files x86

i was trying to fix another issue HDD 100% when i accidentally hid program files x86 folder and all the folders/files under it. I was able to recover the program files x86 folder running attrib -h -s "%ProgramFilesx86%" in cmd but the recovered folder shows as empty. When i check the properties it shows 300+ folders, however they are not showing.


Help!

:)

 

Administartor rights lost in program file and program files x86

Hi Luca,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

I understand the inconvenience you are facing with accessing the files and folders on Program file and Program file x86, we will help you with this issue.

Do let us know the following to assist you better:

• Have you logged in as an administrator?
• Is this issue specific only to the Programs file and Program file x86 folders?
  

Step 1: If you have logged-in as an administrator, I suggest you to follow the below steps to give permission for entire system, so that you can access the specific files.

• Right click on the folder and click on
  Properties.
• Click on Security tab and select the
  group\user name.
• Click on Edit option and check the option
  Full control.
• Click on Apply and then on
  Ok button.

Step 2: Try the following steps and check if it helps:

• Right-click the C: Drive that you want to take ownership of, and then click
  Properties.
• Click the Security tab, and then click
  OK on the Security message, if one appears.
• Click Advanced, and then click the
  Owner tab.
• In the Name list, click your user name,
  Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or click the
  Administrators group.
  
  If you want to take ownership of the contents of that folder, click to select the
  Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.
• Click OK.

• 
  You may receive the following error message, where
  Folder is the name of the folder that you want to take ownership of:
  You do not have permission to read the co1ntents of directory Folder. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control? All permissions will be replaced if you press
  Yes.
  

6. Click Yes.

7. Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and the folder contents.

Hope it helps. Try the above and reply to the post with an updated status of this issue for further assistance, we will be happy to help you.

 

Program Files (x86) (x86)

I have folders for program files, program files (x86) and program files (x86) (x86). Believe the program files (x86) (x86) is based on loading an incompatible Lexmark printer software as the only folder within is Lexmark 3500-4500 series. Tried to delete
folder but states "action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program. I have uninstalled all associated printer/software from system but can't seem to delete this folder. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thx

 

program files and program files x86

Hi louandtootsosmundson

The Program Files folder and the Program Files (x86) folders must be kept separate to avoid conflicts

Window will automatically handle those folders, placing 64bit applications in the Program Files Folder and 32bit applications in the Program Files (x86) folder