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alk444Flag for United States of America

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see android hidden files

how can i see android hidden files [start with a '.'] when connected to a win7 desktop?
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Jackie Man
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android hidden files [start with a '.']  is still visible when connected to a win7 desktop.

Do you mean the hidden files on Android device is visible in win7 when connected to a win7 desktop? If yes, such hidden files are not hidden.

If you want to view such hidden files in Android OS, install app like ES File explorer and there is a setting to view hidden files.
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ASKER

i want to view and deal with hidden android files from my windows desktop connected to my android phone.
for some reason some of my files are in .thinkfree/... and thus i can't see them from windows.
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ASKER

i can see files in both the phone storage and the sd card, but not folders or files starting with '.'.
android 6.0
but not folders or files starting with '.'

Regardless whether such folders and files are saved in internal storage or SD card?

What is the brand and model of your phone?

I can see all folders and files from my windows desktop for all files in my android device no matter the folders or files are starting with '.' or not. Adding "." will only hide the folders and files within the Android OS.

Why do Some Windows File and Folder Names Have a Dot in Front of Them?
https://www.howtogeek.com/232348/why-do-some-windows-file-and-folder-names-have-a-dot-in-front-of-them/

You should not be using Windows PC to connect to your android phone if you see the folders or files are starting with '.' are hidden. Only Unix or Linux computers should behave this way.
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marsilies

As Jackie Man stated and linked, Windows doesn't hide files/folders that start with a "." Only Unix style OSes hide folders that start with a ".", like Linux, Android, and OS X.

See my screenshot where I can see several folder starting with a "." on my mounted cellphone:

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ASKER

the file i'm trying to deal with is /sdcard/.thinkfree/content/0@media/external/file/208/transient/movies9v.xls as shown on the android device.

in windows i can see /sdcard and all it's sub folders, but not .thinkfree.

the phone is a samsung sm-j320vpp [or j3], android 6.0.1

the internal storage has some '.' folders: .Hnc, .RecycleBin but they don't show in windows.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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marsilies

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ASKER

when i connect the usb cable i am given the choice of:
-file transfer
-photo transfer
-software installation
-midi
-charging
i have tried both file transfer and photo transfer. they appear the same.
the default is charging and windows doesn't see the phone in this mode.
there is no mention of MTP or PTP

using http://visihow.com/Hide_Folders_in_Samsung_Tablets_and_Phones i was able to rename thinkfree to delete the '.'. now i can see it in windows.
so i consider it solved. tnx for the help.
Glad to see it worked. Please select the post or posts that best answered your question.

Note that the ".thinkfree" folder was likely created by ThinkFree Office, which probably came pre-installed on your phone for viewing/editing Office documents. It may create a new ".thinkfree" folder the next time your run it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkFree_Office

In Android, the "File transfer" option should use MTP, while "Photo transfer" PTP. Some phones may include the acronyms, some may not.
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