KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q69026: Operations on Hidden Files

Article: Q69026
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:2.x,3.x,4.0,4.01
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 2.11, 3.1, 3.2, 3.21, 3.3, 3.3a, 4.0, 4.01 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

There are several MS-DOS commands that can be used on files that have the hidden
attribute set; however, they all require that you know the filename. These
commands are:

  Command     Versions
  -------     --------

  TYPE        All versions listed above
  FIND        All versions listed above
  FC          3.20 through 4.x
  PRINT       3.00, 3.10, 3.20, 3.30
  ATTRIB      5.00

Commands such as DEL, ERASE, DIR, REN, XCOPY, ATTRIB, and COPY return the message
"File not found" or "Invalid path" when used on hidden files.

Additional query words: 2.11 3.00 3.10 3.20 3.30 4.00 4.01 noupd

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401 kbMSDOS211
Version           : MS-DOS:2.x,3.x,4.0,4.01

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.