Ricmedia PC Help

Tech Guides for Everyone

Show hidden files & folders in Windows

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=106uBxh0AC4]

Sometimes you need to view, edit or even delete hidden files and folders on Windows, but by default, Windows hides some system files (applications can also create hidden files). But there is a way to show these hidden files/folders and I’ll show you how in this guide.

Works for all version of Windows.

Watch the video above or follow the text guide below.

Show hidden files & folders on Windows (all versions)

  1. Depending on your version of Windows:
    1. Win XP/Vista/7: Click the Windows Start Windows 7 Start button icon
    2. Win 8/8.1: Search Windows 8 Search Icon (Metro) for "Control Panel" & click the Control Panel result
  2. Click on the Control Panel menu item
  3. Depending on your view settings:
    1. (In Category view) Click the Appearance & Personalization icon, then click the Folder Options icon
    2. (In icon view) Click on the Folder Options icon
  4. Click on the View tab
  5. Under the Hidden files & folders item, select the "Show hidden files, folders & drives"
  6. (optional) Uncheck the "Hide empty drives in the Computer folder" checkbox
  7. (optional) Uncheck the "Hide extensions of known file types" checkbox
  8. Uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files" checkbox
  9. Click Yes to Alert Warning
  10. Now click on Apply, and then OK to save settings
  11. All done!
  12. NOTE* I recommend setting the "Hide protected operating system files" back to hidden after you have finished working with hidden files/folders

Perform a Disk Check on Windows (all versions)

Perform a Disk Check on Windows (all versions)

Sometimes it’s necessary to run a Disk Check on Windows if your hard drive and/or system is throwing up errors, crashing/freezing or constantly accessing the hard drive (and therefore slowing the system down). It can take a while but it will be well worth your time and solves many issues. It’s also pretty easy and I will show you how in this guide.

Perform Disk Check on Windows – Choose Version

  1. Windows 8/8.1
  2. Windows 7
  3. Windows Vista
  4. Windows XP

Fix overheating laptop or desktop running Windows

Fix overheating laptop or desktop running on Windows

If your desktop or laptop is persistently overheating and switching off, there is a nifty trick I’ll let you in on that normally only Pro’s know. Nine times out of ten it will solve the overheating issue, even for laptops widely know to have recurrent overheating issues like the Lenovo Y560.

I will presume you have already done the following?

  • Clean all air vents, fans & filters
  • All Windows Updates installed
  • Virus Scanned & infections removed
  • Malware scanned & infections removed

If you’ve checked those issues and you’re still having overheating issues and shutdowns, choose your operating system below to view the video & text guide.

Fix overheating issue: Choose Windows version:

Fix overheating laptop or desktop (Windows 8/8.1)

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH1mF6Sbm8g]

Overheating issues on Windows 8/8.1 are frustrating, and while common among laptops, desktops can also fall victim. Fortunately Windows 8/8.1 has direct settings for controlling the CPU speed and I’ll show you how to use this feature in this guide.

I will presume you have already done the following?

  • Clean all air vents, fans & filters
  • All Windows Updates installed
  • Virus Scanned & infections removed
  • Malware scanned & infections removed

If you’ve checked those issues and you’re still having overheating issues and shutdowns, follow text guide below or watch the video above.

Fix overheating issues on Windows 8/8.1 (Metro)

  1. Click on the Search Icon Windows 8 Search Icon (Metro) top-right of your screen
  2. Make sure Everywhere is selected, then type "Power Options" into the search box
  3. Now click the Power Options from the search result (first result)
  4. Make sure the Balanced option is selected, then click Change plan settings
  5. Now click the Change advanced power settings link
  6. Expand + the Processor power management option (if your CPU supports it)
  7. Expand + the Maximum processor state option
  8. Click the blue text then set the option to 90% and click Apply
  9. Now click OK to close the Power Options window
  10. Restart your PC
  11. All done!
  12. NOTE* If you’re still having issues, repeat the guide and choose 80%, then 70% etc until your computer stops overheating.
  13. NOTE 2* If you do not have the Processor power management option, your CPU doesn’t support throttling.

Fix overheating laptop or desktop (Windows 7)

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd0fujvZVd8]

Overheating issues on Windows 7 are frustrating, and while common among laptops, desktops can also fall victim. Fortunately Windows 7 has direct settings for controlling the CPU speed and I’ll show you how to use this feature in this guide.

I will presume you have already done the following?

  • Clean all air vents, fans & filters
  • All Windows Updates installed
  • Virus Scanned & infections removed
  • Malware scanned & infections removed

If you’ve checked those issues and you’re still having overheating issues and shutdowns, follow text guide below or watch the video above.

Fix overheating issues on Windows 7

  1. Click on the Start Button Windows 7 Start button bottom-left of your screen
  2. Click on the System and Security heading
  3. Now click the Power Options heading
  4. Make sure the Balanced option is selected, then click Change plan settings
  5. Now click the Change advanced power settings link
  6. Expand + the Processor power management option (if your CPU supports it)
  7. Expand + the Maximum processor state option
  8. Click the blue text then set the option to 90% and click Apply
  9. Now click OK to close the Power Options window
  10. Restart your PC
  11. All done!
  12. NOTE* If you’re still having issues, repeat the guide and choose 80%, then 70% etc until your computer stops overheating.
  13. NOTE 2* If you do not have the Processor power management option, your CPU doesn’t support throttling.