Problem with hidden files and links on desktop

[frankBlack]

Hi all this is my first post here. I came here trying to solve the prob with my cpu where all my files and shortcuts vanished from my desktop. The links in the start menu and pinned programs also vanished.(Windows7) Ive read enough on here to find out about unhide.exe and all the other stuff. I tried that with no luck. I ran a malware scan, it detected 10 files. deleted them and with no luck my files and shortcuts never popped back up on my desktop. Im mainly concerned with the files on the desktop being hidden as i dont know where to find them. I read that i should go to the C:\Users\"user name"\AppData\Local\Temp\smtp? folder to find everything that was hidden by this virus or whatever it is. I think that maybe that folder was there but i restored the computer and that deleted the temp files that were there. So I was wondering if someone can shed some light on my situation. any help will be greatly appreciated

[LDTate]

Create a new user and see what happens

[frankBlack]

I created one but whats the purpose?

[LDTate]

To see if the files / folders are still hidden for that user.

If the new user has administrator rights, that user would be able to see / use the files / folder that are hidden from your user login.

[frankBlack]

thats what i thought so i checked... I looked at the files on the desktop for the user with the hidden files and the same files/programs/folders are still there. In other words i see nothing different than what they say. sorry for the late response. busy schedule

[frankBlack]

also i looked in that temp folder that is mentioned often and still, it does not exist.

[AdvancedSetup]

If you have System Protection enabled (it should be by default) you may be able to go into there and restore the shortcuts or other files.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/330-system-protection-turn-off.html