Windows 7 file explorer shows a non-empty folder as empty.

Question

Here's an issue I've no idea how to solve on a Home Premium Windows 7 box. I copied 110 gb of old data into a folder named "c:\old disks"a while back. All files where showing fine after the copy had completed. Then some months later, I've noticed that in file explorer I can no longer see those files inside that folder. When I enter it, the explorer shows "This folder is empty" message in the file panel. Performed check disk, set all permissions to full and made all files writable. No go! In command prompt I can navigate the directory tree just fine, see all files, their sizes, etc. Also, file explorer shows that the folder is 110GB in size. So, clearly it's not empty. Yet, it shows no files or directories inside. Please advise how I can enable file explorer to show the contents of this folder? I've never seen this issue before on any prior versions of Windows OS, nor can I find much info related to this problem on the net.

Thank you very much,

Alex

Answer 1

Here's an issue I've no idea how to solve on a Home Premium Windows 7 box. I copied 110 gb of old data into a folder named "c:\old disks"a while back. All files where showing fine after the copy had completed. Then some months later, I've noticed that in file explorer I can no longer see those files inside that folder. When I enter it, the explorer shows "This folder is empty" message in the file panel. Performed check disk, set all permissions to full and made all files writable. No go! In command prompt I can navigate the directory tree just fine, see all files, their sizes, etc. Also, file explorer shows that the folder is 110GB in size. So, clearly it's not empty. Yet, it shows no files or directories inside. Please advise how I can enable file explorer to show the contents of this folder? I've never seen this issue before on any prior versions of Windows OS, nor can I find much info related to this problem on the net.

Thank you very much,

Alex

I have originally reported the above. Since then I've solved the problem by going to the command line and removing hidden attribute on all files in this folder tree. All files have showed up right after this processes finished. 

If my memory serves me right, the command line in my case was

ATTRIB -H +A "c:\old disks" /S

In all fairness I have to say that I've tried all the suggestions in this and similar threads on this issue, related to permissions as well. Not sure whether that contributed to the end result, but the command line above was what finally brought everything back to life.

Hope this works for others,

Alex

Answer 2

Hi IcaseyF2,

I suggest you to take ownership of the folder and check for the issue.

To take ownership of a folder or file, follow these steps:

a.     Right click the folder or file with the Padlock icon and click Properties.

b.     Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message (if one appears).

c.     Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.

d.     In the Name list, click your user name, or click Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or

Click the Administrators group. If you want to take ownership of the contents of the folder, select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box.

e.     Click OK, and then click Yes when you receive the following message:

You do not have permission to read the contents of directory folder or file name. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control?

All permissions will be replaced if you click Yes.

Note folder name is the name of the folder or file that you want to take ownership of.

f.     Click OK, and then re-apply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and its contents.

For more reference visit this below mentioned link:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753659.aspx

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Thanks and Regards:I. Suuresh Kumar - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Answer 3

Holy cow, that was it for me too! Seems odd but it worked! Thanks!

Answer 4

I had to change the Arrange by: to Folder to view my files.

CJ

Answer 5

Hello, I have the same issue as Alex and I am also marked as the owner of the folder. I have found the same as Alex: the response that has been marked as an 'answer' isn't an answer.

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**Neil Benson, CRM Addict at Customery Ltd.**You can reach me onLinkedIn orTwitter, and you're welcome to sign up toCustomery, an online community for UK-based Dynamics CRM people.