Help! My File Names Went Away!

[smulley]

In my My Documents file on my computer, my file names are no longer there! What have I done? If I do into my Digital Scrapbooking file under My Documents, there are not there either. When I go into My Downloads they are not there but when I go the next level down, they are there. Can someone please help me???:eek:

[Frani_54]

sounds like they were moved by accident....can you do a search for one of the file names? See what the heading says for a location, then just move them back????? I'm not a computer wiz, but you could start with that...at least see if you can locate where they are.

[smulley]

Thanks Frani! But when I did the search (on three different ones) the search shows that they are where they are supposed to be. When I go into My Documents and all of my folders are there, I can hover my mouse of one and the name will come up (after a few seconds - so annoying). Also, if I click on the Folders button at the top, a list of all of the files under My Documents is there and I can click on that. So, I think they are still there, just hidden somehow. I just can't figure out how to unhide or get them back to where I can see them.

Any other ideas????

Thanks!

[Frani_54]

Thanks Frani! But when I did the search (on three different ones) the search shows that they are where they are supposed to be. When I go into My Documents and all of my folders are there, I can hover my mouse of one and the name will come up (after a few seconds - so annoying). Also, if I click on the Folders button at the top, a list of all of the files under My Documents is there and I can click on that. So, I think they are still there, just hidden somehow. I just can't figure out how to unhide or get them back to where I can see them.

Any other ideas????

Thanks!


when all else fails....REBOOT.....I'm sure you've probably already tried that....maybe some of the computer wiz' can help you when they get online.....sorry!

[smulley]

Yes, this problem happened about a week ago and I have asked some friends but no one has gotten back to me. Thought some of the smart people here at this site could help. Thanks so much for trying to help, Frani! Maybe someone else will come along soon!

[wen2tap]

Have you tried resetting your folder options?
tools>folder options> view in this section is a hot button for hiding files?

I dont know if this will help or not sorry, just thought it may be an option to try... good luck girl!! hate it when things change for no reason, bloody gremlins....

[smulley]

Yes, Wendy, I do have Show Hidden Files and Folders checked. I guess that is not it. I can not figure this one out! Aaaahhhhh! Thanks for trying!

Can anyone else help?

Thanks!!

[Sandersmr]

Which view are you using? Have you tried changing to a different view?

Also under the View option in your menu, there is a listing Choose Details..., make sure Name is checked.

[smulley]

Ok, that is helpful! I did have the name checked but that is not it. I can change the view (I had it on thumbnails which is what I really like and want) but when I change it to tiles or icons, the names are there. Any ideas on how to get the names there for thumbnails?

Thanks for the info. At least in the meantime I can use tiles or icons! Yea!

[sunshine]

Sharon, is there any text at all below your thumbnail or is it blank? There should be a filename below the thumbnail in thumbnail view no matter what options are checked. I am guessing that something might be wrong with your thumbs.db file in that directory. Perhaps if you turn off thumbnail caching, that will fix your problem...it will take a while for it to generate the thumbnails in that directory....then turn thumbnail caching back on (because you don't want to wait for it to generate those thumbnails everytime).

Try this:
1. Tools/Folder Options/View ... Do not cache thumbnails
2. Go to your offending directory and choose the thumbnail view (it will take a while to see all your thumbnails)
3. Tools/Folder Options/View...unclick Do not cache thumbnails
4. Go back to your offending directory and choose the thumbnail view (it may take a little time again, but next time the thumbs should be saved)

[smulley]

Oh, Tammy! I hope this works!!

There is nothing at all under my thumbnails where there used to be the file name.

I did Step 1, but when you say to go the the offending directory in Step 2, what exactly do you mean? I think it just means the directory I want the files to show up in again, right? Do I have to do this for every directory that is not working?

Ok, assuming that I am doing it right, I just went in and did all the steps you listed but nothing changed.

Any more ideas??? I just don't understand how this happens!!


Thanks so much for trying to help!

[sunshine]

Bummer, that was my best bet. I guess all of your thumbnail folders are doing this--I thought it was just one. That is so weird. I actually tried changing several settings to see if I could make them go away and nothing I have tried will cause the filenames to go away in thumbnails view and the documentation says they should be there (I know, Microsoft's documentation isn't always accurate). I will think about this some more.

I am assuming that you are running Windows XP and doing this in filemanager. Hmmm....?.....will let you know what I come up with.

[smulley]

Yes, Tammy. Windows XP and I go to Start and then to My Documents. Is that considered File Manager? On my last computer, I had an icon on my desktop that said File Manager but don't on this one. I usually have so much stuff open that it is easier to click Start and My Docs.

Thanks so much for your help!!

[sunshine]

Okay, I have the answer:

To turn off filenames, hold down the Shift key when you click to open a folder in Windows Explorer or when you switch into thumbnail view. This will turn of the file names, giving more space for the thumbnails. Doing it again turns them back on.

SO...Just change your view, then hold down the shift key and choose thumbnails....that should do it.

[Sandersmr]

I just wish there was a way to make the thumbnails larger. I could take fewer thumbnails visible if I could just see them better.

[sunshine]

Well, while I was searching for Sharon's answer I found this:

To increase your thumbnail size, download Microsoft PowerToy TweakUI, run it, and go to Explorer -> Thumbnails, where you can adjust thumbnail size and quality to your heart's content.

[Sandersmr]

Wow Tammy! Thanks! Off to look for this PowerToy!

[smulley]

Okay, I have the answer:

To turn off filenames, hold down the Shift key when you click to open a folder in Windows Explorer or when you switch into thumbnail view. This will turn of the file names, giving more space for the thumbnails. Doing it again turns them back on.

SO...Just change your view, then hold down the shift key and choose thumbnails....that should do it.

Oh, Thank You, Thank You!!! I don't know how you found that but I am sooooooo Happppppyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!

Is there a smiley that respresents hugs? One hundred of them for you!:D

You have made my day!!!

Now if I can just remember that if it happens again! LOL

[sunshine]

Glad it worked!!! That answer was actually at Microsoft's website:) It is just a matter of finding it.

[Sandersmr]

WooHoo!!! I now have bigger thumbnails, and while on the PowerToy site I found a RAW viewer for Windows Explorer - Double WOOHOO!!!!

[sunshine]

Yeah! Glad to help!

[wvsandy]

Sunshine, what a wonderful catch that was. I've never heard of it but I can see how easy it would be to accidentally do it. Way to go!!! :D