Windows hides many files and folders past default, preventing users from deleting or modifying files they shouldn't bear on. Merely you can make Windows show these hidden files by changing a single setting.

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Information technology's easy  to make any file hidden, too. Just right-click information technology, select "Properties", and toggle the "Hidden" attribute on or off. On the ribbon on Windows 8 and 10, click the "Hibernate selected items" 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 ten.

Click the "View" tab on File Explorer's ribbon and click the "Hidden items" checkbox in the Testify/hide department. File Explorer will immediately bear witness hidden files and will remember this setting until you change information technology.

Bear witness Hidden Files on Windows vii

This pick is a little more than subconscious on Windows 7, where it's buried in the Folder Options window.

Click the "Organize" button on Windows Explorer'south toolbar and select "Folder and search options" to open up it.

Click the "View" tab at the top of the Folder Options window. Select "Evidence hidden files, folders, and drives" under Hidden files and folders. Click "OK" to salvage the new setting.

This options window is besides accessible on Windows 8 and x—merely click the "Options" button on the View toolbar in File Explorer. But it'southward quicker to hands toggle hidden items on or off using the ribbon.

This window is also accessible via the Control Panel on whatever version of Windows. Head to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Folder Options. On Windows 8 and 10, information technology's named "File Explorer Options" instead.

View Protected Operating System Files on Windows 7, viii, and 10

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Windows has two different types of hidden files: Normal subconscious 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 "system" aspect.

These files are "protected" for a reason. They're of import organization files and deleting or modifying them could impairment your operating system, potentially even making Windows unbootable. Merely, if you know what you're doing and you need to view these protected operating arrangement files, there'southward a setting you can change. We don't recommend doing this unless you know you need to admission one of these files or folders for some reason.

Showtime, open the Folder Options window. On Windows 8 and 10, click the "Options" button on the View toolbar. On Windows 7, click Organize > Folder and search options.

Click the "View" tab. Uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" box.

Windows will warn yous that deleting or editing protected operating organization files could break your operating system. If you lot know what y'all're doing, click "Yes" to continue.

Click "OK" to save your settings. Windows will testify you protected operating system files equally well as normal hidden files.

Return to the Folder Options window and re-enable the "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" checkbox if you lot ever want to hide these files once again.