Missing files-names and folder-names in Vista

December 31, 2007

I was faced a problem in Vista today. The problem is that all of the folder-names and file-names were missing in large folder view under my drive in Vista. But I can see under sub folders. Strange ? huh. Take a look at the following snapshot.

Missing Folders names in Vista

That is always happened when we hold the SHIFT key while we’re opening the drive or folder in Vista. To solve this problem, follow the steps.

1. Switch to detail view.

Switch to detail view

2. Hold down SHIFT key and change to “Medium Icons”.

SHIFT key Medium Icons

3. Close the Explorer and re-open it again. There you’ll get your folder names and file names back.

Larget FOlder views Vista

[via this thread]

update: It is also happened in XP.

14 Responses

  • Hmm… that’s interesting,

    Who knows, may be that’s an easter egg. :P

    mmhan on December 31, 2007

  • Thanks. man..

    I feel it’s strange.. I have been using Windows Vista nearly 8 months. I didn’t have that problem.. My windows version is Home Premium… Did you get that problem in “Large Icons” View? Which Vista version are you using?? If you are sure about that problem, you can probably report this issue to Microsoft.. They will appreciate it..

    Michael Sync on January 1, 2008

  • mmHan

    ha ha. could be :P

    Michael Sync
    One of my buddies said it happened since XP

    Myo Kyaw Htun on January 1, 2008

  • need help
    i am looking to buy a laptop. is window vista good? which is better in window xp professional and window vista?
    appreciate ur help

    zay on January 27, 2008

  • zay

    Vista is good ? Yes. But you’ll need high end PC or Laptop to run Vista.

    please mail me directly to myochauhtun at gmail dot com

    Myo Kyaw Htun on February 4, 2008

  • You are a genius…. Thanks

    Jack on March 20, 2008

  • THANK YOU!

    Fritz on July 13, 2008

  • I too had the same problem last week, and I was wondering how that happened.
    I rename the parent folder to something else and it started showing the file and folder names correctly. Once i rename back to the original name again, the names got missing again!!

    Lee on July 16, 2008

  • Thanks man, you’re a major life saver! I kept having various folders lose their names and this was a great help in getting them back!

    Charlie W. Ellevarg on August 26, 2008

  • thx man, you save the day!! :D

    ardir on October 2, 2008

  • well done. tks a lot. you just saved my mouse that was about to be thrown somewhere around ;-)
    Nice job, keep goin’!

    Dan on July 11, 2009

  • i was havingthe same problem an 4real i was so piss ….whit the names gone … and all i did is what you said and … it works ..thank ..that was helpfull

    Hugo on August 18, 2009

  • Thank you very much…
    I got frustated when seeing my folders without names….
    your article helped me to tackle the problem….

    amarnath on September 16, 2009

  • It solved my problem. Thanks

    Sultan Khan on March 2, 2011