10.52: D:\downloads Directory not visible in Total Commander

[andrean]

I've ran into a strange issue out of the blue. Running Windows 10 x64, latest version, with latest updates. Total Commander is 10.52
I have modified the default Downloads folder to point to my D:\downloads directory and was using this setup for a couple weeks now. Today, all of a sudden, this downloads directory disappeared in Total Commander, but was perfectly visible in Windows Explorer.
- If if ran a `cd downloads` it entered even in Total Commander, and everything was accessible inside.
- The directory was not marked as 'Hidden', but regardless, I also have the Show hidden files option enabled in TC.
- My Ignore List in TC is totally empty.
- I tried running TC as administrator, made no difference
- I restarted TC, no difference
- I ran the disk check tool against this partition, no errors were found (using a couple months old Samsung EVO SSD)
- I rebooted the computer, no difference

Finally, I started suspecting this possibility that I marked the directory as the default Download location (OS-wide), so I set a different directory, but it still didn't show up. I started comparing all the directory attributes and flags (shown by Right click -> Properties) between a visible and this invisible directory. The only difference I found was under General -> Advanced -> Folder is ready for archiving

This flag was unchecked for this directory, while the visible directory had it checked, so I checked it on the invisible directory as well and clicked to apply it to this top-level directory only (without touching it's children) and at that instant it showed up in TC as well. Afterwards I tried again unchecking it, but it was not disappearing anymore, so it seems like a side-effect of applying / changing that option caused the fix, not this option itself. I am wondering if this was a filesytem flag issue, perhaps something modified the filesystem directory flags and that made it no longer visible? Was it related to this being the system-wide Download directory?

Appreciate any tips and ideas

[Stefan2]

Hi and welcome 2andrean

I have modified the default Downloads folder to point to my D:\downloads directory

How have you done that?

- If if ran a `cd downloads` it entered even in Total Commander, and everything was accessible inside.

Is that your own command , `cd downloads` ?







 

[andrean]

Thanks

Setup of system-wide Downloads location:

Image: https://i.imgur.com/VqkdZpJ.png

and I ran `cd downloads` as a standard DOS command (cd > change directory), from the command line inside Total Commander, it is nothing custom.

[beb]

2andrean
By the way, Total Commander has a few dedicated [pseudo] environment variables for such locations.
See F1 [Help] - Index - Environment variables.
It is %$Downloads% variable for the "Downloads" location.
So cd %$Downloads% would work under any circumstances (e.g. if a user changes location wherever they want).

Example of a button:

Code: Select all

TOTALCMD#BAR#DATA
cd %$Downloads%

%Windir%\system32\shell32.dll,122
Downloads

0
-1

[Stefan2]

and I ran `cd downloads` as a standard DOS command (cd > change directory), from the command line inside Total Commander, it is nothing custom.

And does that command works in WindowsTM command line window?
No, it don't.
C:\>cd downloads
<not found>
Only by accident if you are already in the correct parent folder.
C:\Users\andrean>cd downloads
C:\Users\andrean\Downloads>

So you must tell TC what to do exactly: cd %userProfile%\downloads
But better see the post by beb above ...  



 

[andrean]

sorry, I should have clarified this further, it did work for me because my custom downloads location was on D:\downloads, and my TC tab was already at the D: drive, so calling cd downloads to enter the directory from the current path does work. I just wanted to have evidence that TC is able to access the directory itself, but does not show it in the directory listing of D: drive.

and this command was not the issue, the issue is that TC did not show the directory in the directory listing of drive D:
It looked as if no `downloads` directory exists at D:

also thanks beb for the reply, but that has nothing to do with my issue/question, as far as I can tell.

[MaxX]

Check if folder has hidden or system attributes.

[Stefan2]

Thanks for clarifying.

The settings are one thing, the present of a folder is another thing.
So if you have a folder "Downloads" on your D:\-Partiton, then you should see it in TC too.
(If it has no S or H attribute in combination with the TC settings set to hide such files, and it is not on TCs Ignore list.
Me think you talked about Hidden already, but it could also have the System attribute)

A folder with name "Downloaddd" you can see in WinExplorer and TC?

You could test what the TC command CD %$Downloads% in TCs command line will do for you...



Hello fellows, any other idea?



 

[beb]

2andrean

Try this button on your toolbar:

Code: Select all

TOTALCMD#BAR#DATA
cm_SwitchHidSys

wcmicon2.dll,79


0
2011

It will give you an option to quickly turn on/off hidden/system file/folders.
Upon hitting this button ("on" state) you will see your "d:\Downloads" at once if needed.
Upon releasing it ("off" state) it will become hidden again.
This is applicable to all other files and folders of that kind.