Why "hidden/unhidden files and folders"?

[alankearn]

Why should you need this option?

[Ann*]

If there are multiple users of one pc with passworded logins, it hiding those files and folders makes them invisible to those other users. Otherwise, it means that any user of a pc and see other user's files and folders.

 

I tend to hide My Documents, but the folder only, not everything it contains, just in case I have visitors, and they use the guest account on my pc. I prefer this method to making each individual file and folder unshareable, because it's easier to undo if necessary, and I've had problems with that method in the past.

[Savannah2]

Basically as Ann has said, too hide from multiple users, if only yourself uses the PC then no point really.

 

Microsoft's really hidden files, have a look at Microsuck

If I needed to hide any files I would use a virtual drive with encryption

[Cyclone]

I think originally the option came about because there was no concept of admin/normal users.

So if you wanted something to not be visible to your average user then hiding it was the best way.

 

In XP there are better ways, as hiding it doesn't guarantee anything, i routinely set pc's to display hidden files/folders.

[Guest]

There are certain files you wouldn't want the average use to delete by accident. On Windows 98 system.1st springs to mind as it's your registry and deleting it trashes the PC

[fnkysknky]

Deleting system.1st it won't make a difference, Windows doesn't use it in normal use - system.dat is the registry - system.1st is a known good version of the registry - usually put there when Windows is first installed. Other programs such as IE update it I think.