Windows hides many files and folders by default, preventing users from deleting or modifying files they shouldnât touch. But you can make Windows show these hidden files by changing a single setting.
Itâs easy to make any file hidden, too. Just right-click it, select âPropertiesâ, and toggle the âHiddenâ attribute on or off. On the ribbon on Windows 8 and 10, click the âHide selected itemsâ button to quickly make files and folders hidden or visible.
Show Hidden Files on Windows 8 and 10
This option is easily accessible in File Explorer on Windows 8 and 10.
Click the âViewâ tab on File Explorerâs ribbon and click the âHidden itemsâ checkbox in the Show/hide section. File Explorer will immediately show hidden files and will remember this setting until you change it.
Show Hidden Files on Windows 7
This option is a little more hidden on Windows 7, where itâs buried in the Folder Options window.
Click the âOrganizeâ button on Windows Explorerâs toolbar and select âFolder and search optionsâ to open it.
Click the âViewâ tab at the top of the Folder Options window. Select âShow hidden files, folders, and drivesâ under Hidden files and folders. Click âOKâ to save the new setting.
This options window is also accessible on Windows 8 and 10âjust click the âOptionsâ button on the View toolbar in File Explorer. But itâs quicker to easily toggle hidden items on or off using the ribbon.
This window is also accessible via the Control Panel on any version of Windows. Head to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Folder Options. On Windows 8 and 10, itâs named âFile Explorer Optionsâ instead.
View Protected Operating System Files on Windows 7, 8, and 10
Windows has two different types of hidden files: Normal hidden items, and protected operating system files. When you show hidden files and folders, Windows will continue to hide protected operating system files. These are hidden files with the âsystemâ attribute.
These files are âprotectedâ for a reason. Theyâre important system files and deleting or modifying them could damage your operating system, potentially even making Windows unbootable. But, if you know what youâre doing and you need to view these protected operating system files, thereâs a setting you can change. We donât recommend doing this unless you know you need to access one of these files or folders for some reason.
First, open the Folder Options window. On Windows 8 and 10, click the âOptionsâ button on the View toolbar. On Windows 7, click Organize > Folder and search options.
Click the âViewâ tab. Uncheck the âHide protected operating system files (Recommended)â box.
Windows will warn you that deleting or editing protected operating system files could break your operating system. If you know what youâre doing, click âYesâ to continue.
Click âOKâ to save your settings. Windows will show you protected operating system files as well as normal hidden files.
Return to the Folder Options window and re-enable the âHide protected operating system files (Recommended)â checkbox if you ever want to hide these files once again.
