Have you ever felt like data has vanished from your flash drive or computer, possibly due to a virus? Important files and documents can sometimes seem to disappear out of nowhere. Often, these files aren’t truly gone; they’re simply hidden, making them invisible to you. In the past, to combat this issue, a free software called Hidden File Tool was developed to help locate these concealed files.
After over two years without updates, Hidden File Tool 2.0 has arrived with significant improvements. Continuing the tradition of lightweight and portable software, this updated version remains a small, single file (around 40KB) and requires no installation.
Hidden File Tool 2.0 boasts numerous enhancements and new features compared to its predecessor. Notably, it now displays folders in addition to files, a feature missing from version 1.0. Let’s delve into the complete feature set of HFT 2.0:
- Finds Hidden Files and Folders: Detects files and folders with the Hidden attribute, as well as System, Archive, and Read-Only attributes.
- Fast Scanning: Version 2.0 incorporates threading for significantly faster searches, ensuring the scanning process is smooth and uninterrupted.
- Targeted File Search: Allows searching for files with specific extensions and includes pre-set options for commonly accessed or potentially risky file types.
- Attribute Modification: Enables users to change and set file attributes: Hidden, System, Read-Only, and Archive.
- File Deletion: Provides the option to delete files directly from the displayed list.
- Visual Differentiation: Displays certain file types with distinct colors (folders are highlighted in yellow).
Compared to the original version, a critical improvement in HFT 2.0 is its ability to reveal hidden folders. This is particularly important as viruses often hide entire folders containing your data.
Understanding the Benefits of Hidden File Tool 2.0
You might be wondering about the practical advantages of using this software. Here are a few scenarios where Hidden File Tool 2.0 can be invaluable:
- Recovering Files “Lost” by Viruses: If files or folders seem to disappear after a virus infection, they are often simply hidden. Viruses commonly replace important files on USB drives with malicious executables and then hide the original data. If your flash drive shows low capacity but you can’t see your files, HFT 2.0 can help. To find these files, select the Hidden attribute in the search. Once found, you can make them visible again by selecting the files/folders in the results list, unchecking all attributes in the Set Attribute section, and clicking APPLY. The status column will confirm the success or failure of the operation.
- Hiding Files and Folders: Conversely, you can also use HFT 2.0 to hide files or folders. Select the desired files/folders from the list, choose the Hidden attribute (and optionally System and Read-only) in the Set Attribute menu, and click APPLY.
- Filtering by File Extension: If you need to find files of a specific type, use the Filter section and enter the file extensions. Separate multiple extensions with semicolons (;), for example:
*.txt;*.rtf;*.doc.
To better understand file attributes like Hidden, System, Read-Only, and Archive, you can refer to resources explaining file attributes in operating systems. Understanding these attributes is key to effectively using Hidden File Tool 2.0.
Tips for Using Hidden File Tool 2.0 Effectively
While Hidden File Tool 2.0 is designed for ease of use, here are some tips to enhance your experience:
- Multiple Selection: Use Shift + click or Shift + arrow keys to select multiple consecutive files or folders in the search results list.
- Non-Consecutive Selection: Use Ctrl + Click to select multiple non-adjacent files.
- Sorting Results: Click on the column headers to sort the search results by Name, Size, Type, or other attributes.
- Administrator Privileges (Windows 7/Vista): If you are using Windows 7 or Vista and need to modify file attributes, right-click on Hidden File Tool 2.0 and choose Run as administrator to ensure proper permissions.
Download Hidden File Tool 2.0 to start recovering your hidden files and managing file attributes effectively. You can find the download link on the Hidden File Tool download page.
