Missing Folder C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc

CALFIRE

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I have a new laptop (Lenovo) running Windows 8.1 and have set up a WAMP server for website development. I need to modify my Host file to set up a Virtual Host. I have always used Windows OS, but not very knowledgeable about tech stuff beyond what I need to know for website development. The problem I have is that my C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc folder is not there.

I started out by having problems setting up an Administrator account. I tried to run lusrmgr.msc and no luck. On my Computer Management screen the Users and Groups folders were missing from Local Users and Groups. I thought maybe the Lenovo installed version of Windows was not full featured, so I paid $100 to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro. After the upgrade I was able to access the administrator account and the Users and Groups folders were visible.

But my C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc folder is still missing. I had noticed it was missing before I upgraded to Windows 8.1 Pro, so I don't think that had anything to do with it.

Any ideas? I have been stuck on this for 2 days.
:think:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core i5-4210U CPU @ 1.70GHz
    Motherboard
    ACPA x64
    Memory
    6 GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Browser
    Mozilla FireFox
    Antivirus
    McAfee
This is a long shot, a straw-grasp on my part: have you tried booting rescue DVD or USB stick and running Startup Repair? I'm hoping it would sniff out that the Drivers directory is missing and reinstate it. I'm sure you have already clicked un-hide folders & files from within Folder Options.
Tweaking.com's Windows Repair (All in One), accept default clicks, add items #26 & 27 -- might be your first and best bet.
And, you're not using any 3rd party DriversUpdateManager, correct?
Before doing much more than the above: please make sure you have restorable image backups just in case.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
Open a Elevated Command Prompt:

Press WIN + X to open Start context menu.
Select Command Prompt (Admin)

Run the following commands sequentially or put them in a batch file and run the batch file.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
SFC /scannow


These can take awhile so be patient.

See if that restores the missing etc directory. If not, you could create tghe etc folder then create a hosts file and store it there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
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