diff --git a/Lib/idlelib/NEWS.txt b/Lib/idlelib/NEWS.txt
index dc98e4e..d931e98 100644
--- a/Lib/idlelib/NEWS.txt
+++ b/Lib/idlelib/NEWS.txt
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 What's New in IDLE 2.6a1?
 =========================
 
-*Release date: XX-XXX-200X*
+*Release date: XX-XXX-2008*
+
+- Could not open files in .idlerc directory if latter was hidden on Windows.
+  Issue 1743, Issue 1862.
 
 - Configure Dialog: improved layout for keybinding.  Patch 1457 Tal Einat.
 
diff --git a/Lib/idlelib/configHandler.py b/Lib/idlelib/configHandler.py
index 3318416..08f0b3d 100644
--- a/Lib/idlelib/configHandler.py
+++ b/Lib/idlelib/configHandler.py
@@ -139,7 +139,12 @@
 
         """
         if not self.IsEmpty():
-            cfgFile=open(self.file,'w')
+            fname = self.file
+            try:
+                cfgFile = open(fname, 'w')
+            except IOError:
+                fname.unlink()
+                cfgFile = open(fname, 'w')
             self.write(cfgFile)
         else:
             self.RemoveFile()