How to fix missing File & Folder names in Windows Explorer.
In some cases, the folder and file names are missing in Windows Explorer. In fact, the folder or file icons appear correctly, but their names are missing. This annoying problem can happen to all or to specific folders without an obvious reason and especially if you have selected the icon view (View > Small, Medium, Large or Extra Large Icons) instead of list, details, tiles or content view.
To resolve the “file or folder names not visible” problem, follow the steps below:
How to display missing folder & file names in Windows Explorer.
For Windows XP.
In Windows XP, the invisible names problem occurs when the display view is set to “Thumbnails”. To resolve this:
1. Open the folder where file & folder names are missing.
2. Go to “View” menu and select “Details”.
3. Now press & hold down the “SHIFT” key and while you do that, go to “View” menu and select “Thumbnails”. *
*. Another way to restore file and folder names back in Windows XP is to hold the “Shift” key while opening the folder where the folder/file names are invisible.
For Windows 7 or Vista.
In Windows 7 or Vista this problem commonly happens in “Pictures” folder. To resolve this problem, you have to uncheck the “Hide file names” option. To do that:
1. Navigate to the folder where the folder or file names are missing.
2. Right-click to an empty area and unselect the “View” > “Hide File Names” option.
Solution 2. Delete “desktop.ini” file.
If the above solution doesn't work, you have to delete the hidden “desktop.ini” file from every folder that has the invisible name(s) problem.
1. Enable the ‘Hidden files & folders’ view. To do that, go to to Windows Control Panel and:
- Open Folder Options.
- Click the View tab.
- Check to enable the Show hidden files, folders, and drives option.
- Click OK.
2. Delete the “desktop.ini” from the folder that has the invisible name problem.*
Advice: If you face the folder or file names missing problem on more than one folder, then you can easily find and delete all “desktop.ini” files from every folder if you perform a simple file search for all files named “desktop.ini”.
That’s it!
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barrenelly
November 29, 2021 @ 3:13 pm
Many thanks for the advice on restoring file and folder names where they have disappeared (Windows Explorer, XP Pro). I had previously got round, though not solved, this problem by renaming the folder with an extra letter. My folder wherein I keep scans of all my bank statements as thumbnails (or filmstrip view) had inexplicably lost the filenames, which was annoying, since they all look the same in thumbnail view and are tedious to scroll through as a filmstrip. Renaming "Bank" as "Bbank" brought back the file-titles, yes, but really I didn't want the folder to be called "Bbank", so I'm grateful for the advice on how to do it properly. Thank you.
oberste
January 6, 2020 @ 1:48 am
2020, January 05.
Windows XP computer (2002, version 3):
Some folders (inside 'my documents') with all files seem suddenly gone from one day to the next. The missing files are mainly Excel and Word documents.
– Re-starting the computer did not change the issue.
– Searching for the file names or by date last saved does not list the files.
– The files seem not to be in the recycle bin (and I don't think they have been deleted).
– If I look under the 'properties' of the parent folder, the total number of files and folders suggest that the files still exist but are not visible.
– Copying the parent folder to an external hard drive copied the problem.
– The parent folder icon changed in a curious way: the folder icon has a red check-mark on it (inside the icon).
Please help if you can.
Thank you.
lakonst
January 7, 2020 @ 1:21 pm
First of all check you system for malware/viruses by using the instructions on this guide: https://www.wintips.org/quick-malware-check-removal-guide/
After virus checking, enable the Hidden files view and then check if you can view the missing files.
If the problem persists check the disk for problems and then diagnose the hard drive for hardware problems.
Carlos E. Martinez
May 26, 2019 @ 11:41 am
My problem with Windows Explorer is different. It doesn't allow me to paste a new names, copied from another file and from a different type, on files.
What I get is a series of characters, like:
t1RADbPiZ6c5AGe8Qmt1oAC4kAJGd2PSV2q
This I have actually got now by trying to paste an actual file name here.
How do I solve it?
lakonst
May 30, 2019 @ 10:41 am
I Suggest to scan you computer for malware and to check and diagnose your hard drive for problems.
Maximus Fernandez
June 23, 2018 @ 5:26 am
I have a problem including the file names vanishing and other names such as video titles on YouTube when I hover over with a mouse. I use a Windows 10 laptop, and I cannot see any letters when I go to task manager, control panel, file explorer, and many other things. I do see the icons for them though. I also have another problem which if someone can help me get this solution by any chance, I will thank them. My screen randomly has black boxes appearing once I scroll on a browser. I use Google Chrome, so I suspect that it might be the problem. If possible, please help me out with at least the first problem so I no longer have to worry anymore. Thanks.
lakonst
June 23, 2018 @ 9:30 am
@Maximus Fernandez: Does the problem happen to all web browsers? Have you tried to connect an external monitor to your laptop?
Things to try:
1. Disable the hardware acceleration in Chrome (go to Settings > Advanced and under 'System' set the "Use Hardware Acceleration when available" to OFF. Restart Chrome.)
2. Update the video drivers.
3. completely remove and uninstall Chrome.
4. Perform a in-plaice upgrade (repair) of Windows 10.
marc
January 17, 2017 @ 12:51 pm
thanks, i had this problem for awhile and just tried this and it worked like a charm!
DJ Burkett
June 21, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
I had a problem with vanishing file names. I made a copy of the folder on another drive to work with so I didn't damage the original files. Copying the directory did not change the symptoms.
If I did a directory search with *.* in Explorer all the files became "visible" again.
I selected them all,
did a "cut",
backed out of the directory search and up one level,
re-selecte the folder
and did a "paste".
Everything working fine again.
I did the admin stuff but couldn't find anything to correct. Bothers me a little I couldn't find a cause but that did fix it.
Tom Jeffery
March 13, 2015 @ 3:53 pm
I believe you, but there is nothing on my list. I took a screen shot but can't post it here.
Vanishing file names is one of those little niggly things that just bug the hell out of me. Why do they go? WHERE do they go? Are they having fun without me? Dammit.
Tom Jeffery
March 10, 2015 @ 9:16 am
Hi. I have a problem with the file names of images – only images – disappearing in large icon view. I am using Windows 7. I tried the above solutions – there is no 'hide file names' option in my view list. There is no desktop.ini file in any folder, even with show hidden folders on. I also tried holding shift while changing the view, which also had no effect (advice I found elsewhere).
On reboot the names reappear, but then vanish after a little while.
It's like my PC is f***ing with me.
Any advice?
lakonst
March 10, 2015 @ 2:21 pm
This is strange. I checked 3 different computers. When you select the "Extra Large Icons" view and then right click on an empty space the View > Hide File Names option is there.
DUCK
November 17, 2017 @ 2:13 am
SAME THING