Batch file to unhide folders so programs can be installed

dvdfan

Hi,

Im trying to write a batch file so i can install programs in users/myUsrename/app Data/local

The program i use cant install in this folder on Vista because its a hidden file, so you need to go to unhide via control panel > folder options > untick view hidden files and folder and then go to the app data folder and right click and untick hidden and then it aplys this changes to all files and folders and then when you install the program it finally see's the path

The reason is to avoid issues that UAC causes with the program and installing it here seems to bypass all these problems thankfully, however most people installing the program are daunted by changing all these settings to install a program so i want to make it as easy as possible. Is there any resources anyone knows on how to help write something like this or is it even possible?

Blowfish

You can remove the 'hidden' attribute with ATTRIB -H

dvdfan

Ok great this should help, unfortunately its one of the few folder locations that isnt universal on everyones computers since part of the path location to the app data folder will have the users name as the folder i.e /users/dvdfan/app data/local

Is there any way around this when writing a script to unhide that folder or is it just not possible?

Blowfish

The userprofile enviornmental variable gives the path to the root of the current users profile, so in your case all you need is:

ATTRIB -H %userprofile%\app data\local

dvdfan

Ok great thanks again that was perfect however when i use ATTRIB -H "%userprofile%\AppData\local" it unhides that folder but dosent apply the changes to all the files and folders within that folder

If i do this manually and untick unhide it asks would you like to apply the changes to all files and folders but dosent do this when i use the above option, will i have to do this seperately for each folder within the local folder too?

Blowfish

Oops, forgot that bit, should be:

ATTRIB -H %userprofile%\app data\local /S /D

dvdfan

Hmm, tried that and it just unhid the local file but not the ones underneath

Heres the exact code i used ATTRIB -H "%userprofile%\AppData\local" /S /D

Civilian_Target

If you type attrib /? you can get help on the attrib command.

The /D may not be necessary.

If you're trying to write a program installer, you may find using a system like NSIS2 to be a lot easier!