Why hidden folders/files not visible from PC?

[Android Central Question]

I have a ZTE phone that does not have a menu option for its file manager. The only way I can see hidden folders and files is through settings/storage, but I can't manipulate them from there.

I figure it would be easier to do from a PC. I tried a Win7 laptop, an XP laptop, and a Win10 desktop. I have hidden file view enabled on all, but I went a step further and disabled "hide system files" and I still can't see the .thumbnails directory.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Try a 3rd party file manager like Files by Google or Total Commander.

On the PC, are you able to see any directories at all?

Please register on this forum, which will allow you to engage in discussion more easily, as well as post images. https://forums.androidcentral.com/ask-question/409154-join-android-central-community.html

 

[smvim]

Keep in mind your ZTE phone is running Android and it's file system is ext4. Conversely, your computers are all running Windows with the XP probably using the NTFS file system or possibly a dated FAT variant and the Win7 and Win10 PCs using NTFS. So whenever you use one of of your Win PCs to remotely access your ZTE phone, it involves two very different operating systems that run on top of very different file systems. Windows inherently has poor to weak compatibility support for other platforms so there are always compromises when you try to use a Win PC to do anything like file and folder management in an Android device.

There are however several really good file manager apps you can choose from if you just go to the Play Store. When you use a file manager app installed on your phone, you're working with a utility that's intended to be used on an Android device. Go into the file manager app's Settings menu to make hidden files/folders visible. I'll suggest you try MiXplorer Silver file manager or Solid Explorer (pay for apps). Both are very capable file managers with extensive feature sets, including remote networking options.
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...etails?id=com.mixplorer.silver&token=PF7ekoIM
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...s/details?id=pl.solidexplorer2&token=Dyaaqffq
A nice free option is a simply-named 'Explorer'
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...?id=com.speedsoftware.explorer&token=Up5mNCZD
All the file manager apps have the same basic functionality, the differences are in the details and mostly in the user interfaces. Use the screen caps in the Play Store pages to see which app appeals to you the most.

 

[Android Central Question]

follow-up to hidden folders from PC

I am trying to look at hidden folders and files from a PC.

I have no problem manipulating non-hidden folders and files from PC/Windows.

I have no room to install 3rd party file manager on phone. (the reason I'm pursuing this is to free up space. My pics are all on flash drive, but the damn thumbnails aren't!!)

I have plenty of room on my laptops of course. Are there and Android file management packages for Windows that I can download to my laptop? Linux is also an otion for me.

 

[B. Diddy]

I merged your threads. Please register if you want to continue the discussion.