Hidden ProgramData missing from File Explorer

Question

After update to the latest Windows 10 build 1809, this folder completely gone. Do I have any virus or anyone have solution how to get it back? Thanks

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for the reply.

Let us try few more troubleshooting methods to resolve this issue and check if that helps:

Method 1: I suggest you to execute few commands in the command prompt and share a screen shot of the command prompt Window.

To do that,

1.    Type CMD in the Windows search bar.

2.    Right click on CMD and Run as administrator.

3.    Type *CD* and tap on Enter.

4.    Now type attrib ProgramData and tap on Enter.

Share the screen shot of the Command Prompt Window after executing the above commands. Refer the following article posted by CmdrKeene on October 2, 2015for steps include a screen shot in your post.

Method 2: Create a new user account and check if you are able to view ProgramData folder from the new user account. Refer the article on Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10 for steps to create a new user account.

Hope it helps.

Sandeep Kumar M               

Microsoft Community – Moderator

Answer 2

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft community Forums.

I understand your concern, ProgramData folder is shared with all the user accounts on your PC and is used for application data. As ProgramData is hidden you will have to unhide the folder to view the folder or contents of the folder.

To do that,

1.    In the search box on the taskbar, type folder, and then select Show hidden files and folders from the search results.

2.    Under Advanced settings, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and then select OK.

3.    You can also type %ProgramData% in the Windows search bar and tap on Enter to view the folder.

Reply with the status of the issue, in order to assist you further.

Hope it helps.

Sandeep Kumar M               

Microsoft Community – Moderator

Answer 3

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft community Forums.

I understand your concern, ProgramData folder is shared with all the user accounts on your PC and is used for application data. As ProgramData is hidden you will have to unhide the folder to view the folder or contents of the folder.

To do that,

1.    In the search box on the taskbar, type folder, and then select Show hidden files and folders from the search results.

2.    Under Advanced settings, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and then select OK.

3.    You can also type %ProgramData% in the Windows search bar and tap on Enter to view the folder.

Reply with the status of the issue, in order to assist you further.

Hope it helps.

Sandeep Kumar M               

Microsoft Community – Moderator

Do I look as dunno? I'm future developer in meanwhile I transform apk to appx with File Explorer and Visual Studio, however I scanned my device with all options in Windows Security there no threats and after restart %ProgramData% missing even hidden files and folders are on.

Answer 4

Hello,

Thank you for reply.

Are all the applications working normally?

I appreciate your efforts for trying to fix this issue. Let us try few more troubleshooting methods to resolve this issue and check if that helps:

Method 1: Make few registry changes to resolve this issue.

To do that,

1.    Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft, Windows, CurrentVersion, Explorer, User Shell Folders.

2.    Right click on AppData and Select Modify…

3.    Change the Value name to %USERPROFILE%\APPData\Roaming.

4.    Restart your PC.

Note: Important this section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. Refer the following article on **How to back up and restore the registry in Windows**for steps to take a backup of registry.

Method 2: The path of the ProgramData can be on a volume other than the system drive, as long as it meets the following requirements:

1.      It must be on an NTFS volume.

2.      It can’t point to a drive that has a different copy of Windows on it.

3.      It can’t contain any serviceable components.

I suggest you to check that other drives and check if you are able find ProgramData. Refer the article on ProgramData for more information.

Hope it helps.

Sandeep Kumar M               

Microsoft Community – Moderator

Answer 5

Hello,

Thank you for reply.

Are all the applications working normally?

I appreciate your efforts for trying to fix this issue. Let us try few more troubleshooting methods to resolve this issue and check if that helps:

Method 1: Make few registry changes to resolve this issue.

To do that,

1.    Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft, Windows, CurrentVersion, Explorer, User Shell Folders.

2.    Right click on AppData and Select Modify…

3.    Change the Value name to %USERPROFILE%\APPData\Roaming.

4.    Restart your PC.

Note: Important this section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. Refer the following article on **How to back up and restore the registry in Windows**for steps to take a backup of registry.

Method 2: The path of the ProgramData can be on a volume other than the system drive, as long as it meets the following requirements:

1.      It must be on an NTFS volume.

2.      It can’t point to a drive that has a different copy of Windows on it.

3.      It can’t contain any serviceable components.

I suggest you to check that other drives and check if you are able find ProgramData. Refer the article on ProgramData for more information.

Hope it helps.

Sandeep Kumar M               

Microsoft Community – Moderator

Method 1: Not working

Method 2: Same... still didn't resolve my problem!