Does Ctrl+A in a folder select the hidden items as well? Will copying a folder containing hidden files also copy the hidden files?
This question pertain to:
- Windows Explorer (Windows 7)
- Nautilus (Ubuntu)
- pcmanfm (LXDE)
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In Windows ctrl+A will not select hidden files if they are not displayed and therefore they will not be copied.
If you copy a whole folder "from the outside" which contains hidden files, the hidden files will also be copied.
Giacomo1968
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das Keks
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Now that it's been mentioned, I'm really curious what the logic is behind this behavior? – Arctiic Aug 13 '20 at 06:52
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No, unless the hidden files display setting is enabled.
Here's how to display hidden files and folders:
- Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.
- Click the View tab.
- Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and then click OK.
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No. As others said, Ctrl+A selects only visible content so any hidden or system files won't be selected. In fact in older Windows versions if you press Ctrl+A in a folder with hidden items you'll get a warning saying that there are hidden files in that folder
The warning has been removed in later versions of Windows but the behavior retains: You can't select something that you can't see
phuclv
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This doesn't give substantial new information. Would better fit as a comment. – Máté Juhász Mar 12 '20 at 16:02
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I don't agree. This gives a direct proof from Explorer instead of just a statement – phuclv Mar 12 '20 at 16:12