How To Show Hidden Files in Windows 10

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Hiding a file in Windows 10

Hiding a file in Windows 10 is simple. Here are the steps to do it.

  • Pick the file or the folder you want to hide
  • Right-click the file or folder and choose “Properties”
  • Navigate to the General tab
  • Scroll down to look for a checkbox called “Hidden.” You can find it in the Attributes section
  • Check that box
  • Click OK
  • You can choose to explicitly apply these settings to its subfolders and files too
  • Click OK again

This hides your file or folder.

Hidden files in Windows 10

A word of caution here. Make sure you have a good reason to hide your file as it doesn’t make sense to do it otherwise. Also, note down the list of files you have hidden as there’s a chance to forget it over time.

Moving on, let’s see how you can show hidden files.

How to show hidden files in Windows 10

File owners hide some files for a specific reason. So, if you’re not the owner of a hidden file, make sure you check with the owner the reason for hiding it in the first place as opening these hidden files may not be the best idea.

That said, there are five ways to view hidden files, and here they are for you.

Option #1: View Tab

  • Press the Windows icon and navigate to “This PC.” Click to open it
  • This opens all the drives on your computer. Navigate to the drive that has the files you want. If you’re not sure, start with the C: drive and navigate down
  • Inside each drive, navigate to the top of the window, and look for a tab called “View”
  • Next, look for the “show/hide” option and click it
  • You’ll see a checkbox called “Hidden items” below it
  • Click the checkbox
  • If you need more viewing options, go to Options: > View

Now, you can see the hidden files. These files have a folder icon that is slightly more transparent than the regular folders. You can see these hidden files as long as the checkbox is checked. When you’re done seeing the hidden files, you can uncheck that box to hide the files again.

Option #2: Control panel

  • Right-click the Windows button and go to the Control Panel
  • Navigate to “Appearance and Personalization”
  • Select “File Explorer Options”
  • You will see three tabs and now, click the “View” tab
  • Here, you’ll have a bunch of options under “Advanced settings”
  • Scroll down through the list, and you’ll get to the “Hidden files and folders” settings
  • When you click that, you’ll see two radio button options. Choose the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option

With this, you can see the hidden files and folders. While you’re here, click a checkbox called “Hide protected operating system files.” This is the recommended setting, and it protects your system from the accidental deletion of critical system files.

When you’re done viewing the hidden files, navigate to the same settings again and choose the “Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drives” radio button.

Option #3: Registry

 Hold the Windows key and press “R.” This brings up the Run panel
 Type “Regedit” and press the Enter key
 Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER: >Software: >Microsoft: >Windows: >Current Version: > Explorer: > Advanced
 check out the right: hand panel for an option called “Hidden”
 Set its value to “1” to ascertain hidden files and folders
 Once you’re done and need to cover it again, set the worth of hidden to “2”

Hidden files in Windows 10

You can change the settings for protected operating system files as well. Set a value of “1” to see these protected files and make sure to set it back to “2” once you’re done viewing to avoid accidental deletions.

Option #4: Direct file path

If you know the exact name and location of your file, type it in the Run dialog and press Enter. For example, “C:\users\admin\desktop\secret file\mysecret.txt” will open the “mysecret.txt” file that was created in this path and hidden from view. However, you’ll have to be logged in as the right user to access the hidden files of that login.

Option #5: Command prompt

You can use the command prompt to access hidden files, provided you know the exact location and file path of the hidden file you want to access.

To do that:

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