How do I unhide then hide files during install?

ronca · 26th March 2009, 14:28

In one of the steps I need to unhide files (visible in their folder during install) then unhide them.

I found a registry key that does that and it works but only if the user logs off and logs on again - which stop the execution of my installer.

I noticed that in windows xp in folder options when you select hide/unhide and press the apply button this happen immediately without having to logoff/logon. How do they do that?

Can I do something similar in NSIS?

Anders · 26th March 2009, 14:34

Don't mess with the users explorer settings!

ronca · 27th March 2009, 14:27

Thanks Anders for your advice. It is good in general but in my special case I need this for an internal company application.

If I can't do this via NSIS I will have to find a way to do this via win32 API.

I tried ${RefreshShellIcons} but this doesn't help.

Any ideas?

Anders · 27th March 2009, 14:41

You would have to refresh every explorer window, you can probably do that with COM (CLSID_ShellWindows/IID_IShellWindows)

See http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/ar...20/188696.aspx for more

Comperio · 27th March 2009, 14:44

hmm...
Maybe instead of messing with the user's explorer settings, you could simply change the file/folder attributes to remove and then set the "hidden" flag?

My thought is that perhaps you could just use attrib.exe (which I believe is included with all Windows installation). Or you might find a plugin or API call to do the same.

edit

yes, SetFileAttributes should work. (Thanks Anders). I knew I read that somewhere; go figure it'd be in the NSIS help file!

Anders · 27th March 2009, 14:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Comperio
My thought is that perhaps you could just use attrib.exe (which I believe is included with all Windows installation). Or you might find a plugin or API call to do the same.

SetFileAttributes

26th March 2009, 14:28	#1
ronca Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 13	How do I unhide then hide files during install? In one of the steps I need to unhide files (visible in their folder during install) then unhide them. I found a registry key that does that and it works but only if the user logs off and logs on again - which stop the execution of my installer. I noticed that in windows xp in folder options when you select hide/unhide and press the apply button this happen immediately without having to logoff/logon. How do they do that? Can I do something similar in NSIS?

26th March 2009, 14:34	#2
Anders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ${NSISDIR} Posts: 5,442	Don't mess with the users explorer settings! IntOp $PostCount $PostCount + 1

27th March 2009, 14:41	#4
Anders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ${NSISDIR} Posts: 5,442	You would have to refresh every explorer window, you can probably do that with COM (CLSID_ShellWindows/IID_IShellWindows) See http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/ar...20/188696.aspx for more IntOp $PostCount $PostCount + 1

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27th March 2009, 14:27	#3
ronca Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 13	Thanks Anders for your advice. It is good in general but in my special case I need this for an internal company application. If I can't do this via NSIS I will have to find a way to do this via win32 API. I tried ${RefreshShellIcons} but this doesn't help. Any ideas?

27th March 2009, 14:44	#5
Comperio Major Dude Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oregon Coast Posts: 737	hmm... Maybe instead of messing with the user's explorer settings, you could simply change the file/folder attributes to remove and then set the "hidden" flag? My thought is that perhaps you could just use attrib.exe (which I believe is included with all Windows installation). Or you might find a plugin or API call to do the same. edit yes, SetFileAttributes should work. (Thanks Anders). I knew I read that somewhere; go figure it'd be in the NSIS help file!