Someone competent enough?

I don't know what's gone wrong with my PC. The problem is whenever I check the "Show hidden files" option in the Folder Options menu, the hidden files never show and when I go back to re-check "Show hidden files" it has automatically been changed back to "Do not show hidden files". It happens as many times as I change to "Show hidden files". I don't know why the option changes back to "Do no show hidden files". I don't know what is causing this.

One thing I must add is I saw my "autoexec.bat" file. It was EMPTY!. Now you would wonder how could I see that file when I cannot see the hidden files. The thing is I changed the attribute of this file to -h in command prompt.

If any more information is required do ask me.

Please do not tell any solution that requires an anti-virus or anti-spyware or anti-spam software.

I want a solution that does not require any security softwares and I cannot even format my drive since there r some hidden files that I need to save b4 formatting.

Someone competent enough?adware

there are 2 options you must check at the same time

show hidden files and folders

and dont hide system files

if you fail to check the system files option

it will hide system files IE hidden

Someone competent enough?antivirus scan