[SOLVED] Files hidden from the network

rage690

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Mar 22, 2013
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Two computers : SERVER-PC and CLIENT-PC

our Application.exe is in the "APP" folder on the SERVER-PC. we SHARED this folder to "Everyone" READ/WRITE so that our users from the CLIENT-PC can run Application.exe from the SERVER-PC. we created a SHORTCUT for Application.exe to the desktop of our CLIENT-PC. but one day the shortcut would not work anymore and it says the file is either moved or changed or something. when i click on "OPEN FILE LOCATION" i found that the folder and files in it are there EXCEPT for Application.exe. when i got to the SERVER-PC to check the actual folder i can see Application.exe is right there. FOR some reason, its hidden from the network, and that file only. I was able to REMEDY the situation by replacing Application.exe with a copy i have from my USB disk. but i was wondering, what could be doing that ?

the Client bought a "Synology" backup unit and installed its application on the server and at first i blamed that, but i realized that application is just backing up files to the NAS. i don't supposed it could interfere with file properties ?

i also DID that check for offline files i set it to NO FILES are offline etc.

Thanks
Windows 10 Starter 64 bit
 
Solution
Appears that the "h" (hidden) attribute was set on application.exe.

Any recent updates to application.exe? Would not expect a file attribute to be changed per se but updates can be buggy or some testing configuration is accidently left in place and goes out with the update.

My suggestion is to take a look at the folders and files using Powershell.

The Get-ChildItem cmdlet may prove helpful to see the overall folder and file structure.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/po...ll.management/get-childitem?view=powershell-7

Trusting that no end users have access to make changes on the Server-PC then perhaps some other admin activity went astray and caused the file to be hidden. Has anyone been...

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
Appears that the "h" (hidden) attribute was set on application.exe.

Any recent updates to application.exe? Would not expect a file attribute to be changed per se but updates can be buggy or some testing configuration is accidently left in place and goes out with the update.

My suggestion is to take a look at the folders and files using Powershell.

The Get-ChildItem cmdlet may prove helpful to see the overall folder and file structure.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/po...ll.management/get-childitem?view=powershell-7

Trusting that no end users have access to make changes on the Server-PC then perhaps some other admin activity went astray and caused the file to be hidden. Has anyone been making other changes within host folder?

Last thought - "Gremlins".

For the most part - I would lean towards some update issue....

Check the attributes for the shared application.exe and likewise on your USB backup copy. A comparision might be a bit moot now that the original application.exe was replaced by your copy.

Keep an eye on "application.exe" to see if it changes again.
 
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Solution

rage690

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Mar 22, 2013
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Thanks. will do when the issue returns. if the file attribute was accidentally changed to hidden wouldn't the file be hidden when you look at its folder in the SERVER-PC as well ?
 

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
Fair question.

And my view of it all was probably too simplistic in some ways.

Reference:

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-hidden-file-2625898

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/make-a-file-or-folder-hidden-or-read-only-in-windows-10

The objective being to identify or discover what originally made application.exe disappear.

And then 2 actions: 1) regain visibility and 2) lock it down so the file cannot disappear again.

Which all got me thinking about the Attrib command. So I looked for a list of the command options:

https://www.lifewire.com/attrib-command-2625802

What caught my eye was that second sentence reference to finding and setting attributes via Explorer.

Any chance that an end user (Everyone Read/Write) may have wandered into the folder via Explorer?

Or administratively someone tweaked "Hidden" vs "Read only".
 
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rage690

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Mar 22, 2013
53
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18,535
Fair question.

And my view of it all was probably too simplistic in some ways.

Reference:

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-hidden-file-2625898

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/make-a-file-or-folder-hidden-or-read-only-in-windows-10

The objective being to identify or discover what originally made application.exe disappear.

And then 2 actions: 1) regain visibility and 2) lock it down so the file cannot disappear again.

Which all got me thinking about the Attrib command. So I looked for a list of the command options:

https://www.lifewire.com/attrib-command-2625802

What caught my eye was that second sentence reference to finding and setting attributes via Explorer.

Any chance that an end user (Everyone Read/Write) may have wandered into the folder via Explorer?

Or administratively someone tweaked "Hidden" vs "Read only".

Thanks !

hmm.. what happened was, i had an update for Application.exe but the location was out of town so i had to use TeamViewer. while i was using TeamViewer the UAC popped up and naturally i cant click YES on it because i cant see it on my screen so i asked the STAFF there to press YES for me whenever UAC pops up (because originally Application.exe was set to run on administration rights). so i was able to replace Application.exe through teamviewer, then after that i got a call from STAFF saying those from the network could not run the shortcut to Application.exe anymore because its saying its been either moved or deleted and no longer exist. then i found out it was just in the network but in the server the file is still there. when i ran out of options i removed the RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR tag on Application.exe and replaced it with my copy and that seems to have resolved the issue. here's to hoping i wouldn't encounter it again LOL