ShowMe Utility

[Lamron]

I frequently toggle Windows "Show Hidden Files" and "Show Hidden Extensions", and I got tired of digging through the menus for them all the time. So I made a simple explorer extension to make it easier. I've been using this for a while, and I thought someone else might like it too.

What this does is add two options to the right-click menu you get when you select a FOLDER. Select which option you want to change and a pop-up window will ask you Yes/No.

You must right-click on a FOLDER, not a file. It doesn't matter what folder you pick, you're just using it to access the right-click menu. It was the only way I could figure out how to hook into a regular Windows menu. Also, it can't be a Desktop folder (don't know why).


Since this is just a utility I made for myself, it doesn't have a fancy error-checking installer. Follow these directions exactly!

Unzip the ShowMe_Setup.zip. Take the "ShowMe" folder out of it and put it in the root of your "C" drive. It can't go anywhere else (don't put it inside another folder), and don't rename it.

Open "ShowMe" and click on "Install SHOWME". If you ever want to get rid of it, click "Remove SHOWME".


Give it a try and let me know if anyone finds this useful. I sometimes make little VBS utilities like this one and the Clipboard_Notes ( tinyurl.com/yqmvt2 ) for myself to make repetitious things easier.



www.lamronsplayground.com/ShowMe_Setup.zip

[Marauder(CDN)]

just a question...would that not be similar to going into Control Panel..Folder Options..View and selecting"show hidden files and folders"?that way Windows never asks or warns about files/folders...by toggle I am assuming you enable and disable this option depending on what you are doing..

[Lamron]

Yes, it does the same thing. Its just a quicker way to toggle it. Most of the time the hidden files and folders are things you don't need anyway, so I usually hide them unless I need them.

[Marauder(CDN)]

k..was just curious..since I am the only one that goes into files and folders on my puter i have to view all

[RedRock]

Why would just a regular user, not a modder or programmer, ever need to see the hidden stuff, anyway?

[Marauder(CDN)]

a regular Joe that didn't care about his computer other than it running never would..but there is places where things get "put" that shouldn't happen...that is why when I see something strange I look into it...viruses..trojans disguise themselves in these files..something a Mac user..Linux user never need worry about.If I could run all I have and want in a Linux based operating system I would..sometimes..cough cough..I envy you Red, you do not have to worry about this crap..oh man..that hurt...lol..sure Lam could run a Linux MOH server..but all that we love in this server would be different..it would just be a server..not all the fancy toys. It is so easy to mod in Windows..but also be attacked by hackers that it is a give take scenario.

[Lamron]

Example: The "Send To" folder is hidden. So if you want to add something to your Send To options you have to unhide it. Alot of the stuff isn't useful, that's why its hidden to reduce clutter.

The hidden extensions option is the one I use the most.

[Marauder(CDN)]

point in case..I have multiple hard drives..so in my "Send to" options I have created sending to the harddrive i want..backing up data then gives me a 1 click option of having multiple back ups..important data(to me) I have on at least 2 hard drives..that way if 1 fails I don't lose it..example pictures..I have it on 2 hard drives and a DVD. The DVD is the hard copy at that point in time and kept in a safe spot...the hard drive version is used if I need to print or want to view..but that is what Joe Blow would never think of..hard drive fails..all is lost..for me it is a click that does not exist for the average user.In one sense it would be no different than you having an external USB hardrive for data back up..am not sure how Apple works but in Windows it automatically appears in the "Send to" option...but only external drives do that by default..so I made all my harddrives appear in the same option..what appears as common sense to alot of users..evades the vast majority of PC users..is nothing fancy ...Lam created a small program to do what I do internally..the average person has no inclination to really know what goes on inside that box he bought..I do..Lam does..is not a trash..or putting down any OS is a matter of making it what you what it to be.The worst part of this is..if people actually knew how easy it can be to do this..I would no longer make money fixing computers

[RedRock]

Well, to be frank, I have no idea what you are referring to with "Send To." All attached drives show up on the Mac OS, with no fancy hijinks or changes needed to see and use them.

If I want to create multiple copies of files on different hard disks or other media for backup, I "Save As" or "Export To" (maybe that's what "Send To" is?) and then just use the navigation window that pops up to Save/Export files, whole folders, or whole disks to those backup disks. Or I can drag the files/folders/disks' icons on the desktop to the backup disks icons to start the copy.

For my Music, I save a backup copy to an external USB drive. For my work files, I save to my hard disk, save to a USB thumb drive for moving back and forth from my work PC, and burn DVD (or CD-ROM) discs for periodic massive backups. I also save work files to my work pc through any of these media, and also across the internet, either through direct connect with Citrix or via emails of individual files. Likewise, I have an Apple DotMac account with about 10 Gig of storage space there (an "iDisk") where I can store backups, etc. I have used the last item to make available for rookie and others some of our maps when they wouldn't download right. My important personal files get saved to CD-ROM or DVD files, such as my Tax Returns. I also have an external floppy drive attached, which will also read and write to 150 Mb mega-floppies, but since thumb drives, CD-Burning, and internet/email transfers came out, I don't use that. That drive doesn't show up on the desktop until it has a floppy in it, even if blank.

[Death's Shadow]

basically the same thing there Red. That is how we do it on PC too. The send to is the same as export to. I right click on the file or folder I want to back up chose send to then a sub menu pops up with all the possible places to send/store it. Presto its done.

If I understand Lam correctly he has just added the view hidden options to the right click menu.. the same options you would have to go into the control panel for.

[RedRock]

OK.
Many functions are the same OS to OS, just different names. Pointing device, recycle bin, shortcut, etc. (vs. Mouse, Trash, Alias), etc.