How to View the System32 Directory in Windows XP

Accessing the System32 Directory – “My Computer”
1. Click “Start,” “My Computer.” Double click on the “C:\\” drive icon.
2. Double-click the “Windows” folder. If prompted with a warning message about entering the Windows folder, click “Allow.” The Windows Explorer window will open.
3. Click “Tools,” “Folder Options.” Click on the “View” tab.
4. Click on the circle next to the wording “Show hidden files and folders” under the heading “Hidden files and folders” to deselect this option so you can view the “System32” folder if it is hidden.Click “Apply,” “OK.”
5. Scroll to the “system32” folder. The folders within the “Windows” folder are in alphabetical order.
6. Double click the “system32” folder to open and view the directory's contents.
7. Click “Tools,” “Folder Options.” Click on the “View” tab.
8. Click on the circle next to the wording “Do not show hidden files and folders” under the heading “Hidden files and folders” to return system folders to a hidden state.Click “Apply,” “OK.”
Accessing the System32 Directory Using a Command Prompt
9. Click “Start,” “Run.”
10. Enter “cmd” in the “Open:” box. Click “OK.”
11. Enter “cd..”. Press “Enter” or “Return.”
12. Enter “cd..” again to get to the “C:\\” prompt. Press “Enter” or “Return.”
13. Enter “cd windows\\system32” at the “C:\\” prompt. Press “Enter” or “Return.”
14. Enter “dir” to view the contents of the “System32” directory.
15. Enter “exit” to return to the Windows operating system.