Show hidden files and folders. How to hide hidden files? Show hidden files and folders. What are hidden files for in Windows?

There may be a need to open hidden files and folders of the operating system, mainly to edit some important system documents.

To do this, you need to know how to make hidden folders visible.

The fact is that in all modern versions of Windows, the default settings assume the so-called "fool-proof".

This means that an inexperienced user simply does not see most of the important system partitions and cannot make potentially dangerous changes to them.

But on the other hand, some fine-tuning of the operating system may require editing these hidden files.

This article will provide a detailed guide to implement this procedure in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10, which currently occupy the lion's share of the operating systems in use in the commercial and private sector.

Secrets of the Windows 7 system partition

This version of Microsoft's operating system took the lead in popularity from the legendary XP, which was discontinued a few years ago.

Such success is primarily dictated by a user-friendly interface in which it is easy to find the necessary settings.

This also applies to the option to show hidden folders and files, which is most easily activated through the taskbar.

First you need to get to the taskbar in the standard way: open Start and select "Control Panel".

Then click on the link "Appearance and personalization".

Advice! For convenience, you must select the display method by category.

In the variety that opens, we need the “Folder Options” category, or rather, its “Show hidden files and folders” option, which speaks for itself.

In the window that opens, called "Folder Options", expand the "View" tab and at the very bottom of the list of additional options we see the function of showing / hiding special files. It remains only to set the checkbox in the desired position.

You can get to the "Folder Options" window in Windows 7 in a simpler way: just open any directory and select "Folder and Search Options" in the drop-down menu of the "Organize" option.

Advice! If you choose to use this method, it will only show hidden files in the current directory by default. To apply this rule to all drives, you need to activate the "Apply to folders" item.

Having dealt with the classics, you can move on to more modern systems.

We delve into the intricacies of Windows 8

This version of the operating system is significantly different from Windows 7, which at one time caused many complaints from users.

The changes also affected hidden directories: in Windows 8, there are two types of files and folders that are not visible to the user.

The first one is actually hidden sections. This status is not only system files and folders, but also components of various third-party applications.

Moreover, the user himself can assign this type to any object on the disk.

However, this feature is also often used by malicious programs, as a result of which, for example, there are problems with files on a flash drive.

For these two types, the algorithm of actions will be different.

To open regular hidden files and folders, follow these steps:

First you need to open the "Explorer", for which you can use the standard shortcut in the "Taskbar".

In the folder that opens, in the top settings panel, click on the "View" menu and select the "Show and hide" function. In the list that opens, you need to activate the checkbox "Hidden items".
In the same way, you can assign the hidden status to any selected file or folder.

In order to see especially important system files, you need to make the following settings:

In the same "View" menu, go to "Options" - "Change folder and search options."

As a result, the "Folder Options" settings window will appear, similar to that in Windows 7. Here you should go to the "View" tab and uncheck the "Hide" protected system files function (recommended).

You can get to this window in another way:

In Start, which in the eight has an unusual Metro interface, click on the gear icon (Computer Settings).

In the menu that opens, you must click on the lowest link to open the Control Panel, familiar to most users.

In the "Taskbar", first we select the way to display the functions Large (or small) icons, and then follow the link "Folder Options", which in the end will give access to the settings window of the same name.

It is also worth considering separately the algorithm for enabling the display of hidden and system elements for Windows 10, since, despite their similarity with the eight, the settings of this OS have their own nuances.

Hidden files and folders in Windows 10

In the top ten, there is the same division of hidden files into regular system files, therefore, the methods for enabling their display are similar to those discussed in the previous section.

To see files and folders with the hidden attribute in the top ten, including those on a flash drive or any other external media, do the following:

Open "Start" and launch "Explorer".

The appearance of the "Explorer" in the top ten is practically no different from Windows 8. Therefore, it acts according to the already known algorithm: View - Show and hide - set the "Hidden items" checkbox to the active position.

In order to see system files and folders, we need to get to the "Explorer Options" function (similar to the Folder Options option).

The fastest way to do this is through the search, the icon of which can be found on the "Taskbar".

Advice! You can also use the keyboard shortcut to access search. Win+Q .

Clicking on the result search results, we will enter the functions window, which we have already encountered several times in this article. Here we are interested in the option “Hide protected system files (recommended), which is located on the View tab.

In conclusion, it is worth saying once again that editing hidden files, especially system files, can cause serious harm to the computer's software shell.

Therefore, such changes should be treated as responsibly as possible.

Thematic video:

How to open hidden files and folders in Windows 7/8/10 Free lesson

In this video, I show how you can easily open hidden files and folders on Windows 7/8/10 operating systems.

Hidden directories are directories that are not visible to the average user in Explorer by default. Usually hidden from view are system folders - such way Windows protects components important for its operation from accidental change or removal. In order for hidden files and folders in Windows 7 to become visible, some changes must be made to the OS settings.

How to open invisible folders for viewing

Although the developers of Windows 7 made sure that the directories necessary for the stable operation of the operating system were not subject to change by the user. But in in some cases it is necessary to show hidden OS data, for example, in order to remove virus programs that have infected a computer and settled in system folders.

Hidden system components are located on the disk partition where the operating system is installed. For most users, the C drive acts as the primary volume.

There are several ways to make invisible directories viewable.

Change folder options

The easiest way to make invisible directories public is to use the Folder Options feature:

If for some reason you are unable to open options window by pressing the Alt button, use the search function in the Start menu. To do this, just type in search string request "Folder Options" - the system itself will find desired program and offer to open it.

Another way to change directory settings is to open the Start menu, go to the Control Panel and select the Appearance and Personalization section. In the contents of the section, you will see the item "Folder Options".

Making edits in the registry editor

To perform the algorithm described below, you must be logged into Windows with account administrator, otherwise the system will not allow you to make changes to the registry:

Configuration via Total Commander

Another way to make a hidden folder not hidden is to use Total Commander. Popular the file manager is not only functional and easy to use, but also available for free download:

Download and run the utility.
In the top panel of the manager, select the "Configuration" tab.
Find the item "Settings: Panel content" in the list of elements.
Check the boxes next to "Show hidden files" and "Show hidden folders". Confirm the changes with the "Apply" button.
Click OK.

You can check the effectiveness of the method used by going to the system partition (that is, by opening drive C). If translucent folders called ProgramData and MSOCashe appeared there, the process was successful.

If you wish, you can make the hidden system directories normal so that they do not look different from the rest. To do this, perform the following manipulations:

Right-click on the directory whose attributes you want to change and open properties.
Uncheck "Hidden" and click OK.

How to make directories invisible

If it becomes necessary to return the OS to its original state by hiding system data, use the methods described above in reverse order: remove the corresponding marks or change the registry values.

If you share your computer with other users and want to protect certain information from prying eyes, you can use another simple way to hide- rename the folder and set a transparent icon for it. This method is not very reliable and is not suitable for system components, but it will help out in case of emergency:

Highlight the directory you want to hide and press the F2 key and then the Alt button.
Without releasing Alt, enter the number 255 on the numeric keypad on the right (Num Lock must be enabled). If everything is done correctly, you will get a folder with an empty name.
Right-click on the directories and open "Properties".
Go to the Settings tab and look for the Change Icon option.
Find the transparent one among the icons and select it. Click OK.

Now a person who does not know about the existence of the folder will not be able to find it, even if he turns on the option to show hidden files. But, if you click at the location of such a directory the key combination Ctrl + A (Select All), it will not be difficult to notice. So this method is not suitable for hiding particularly important information - it's better to use special utilities.

All the methods described to view hidden folders in Windows 7 will help you see directories that have not been visible until this moment, and if you wish, hide them from the public again. However, remember that hidden directories usually contain important components, and accidentally deleting one of them may require you to reinstall Windows. Therefore, it is better not to open system directories without special need.

Compared to Windows XP, the interface of the seventh version of the OS has undergone dramatic changes. The way hidden files are displayed in this operating system is also different from its predecessor. And without showing hidden directories, you can't fine-tune Windows. This article will tell you how to display folders hidden from the user.

How to show hidden folders in Windows 7

There are several ways to display hidden directories in a standard file manager, but they all come down to opening the folder properties window. So the standard course of action is:

open "Explorer";
click on the "ALT" button;
in the top menu, click on the line "Service";
in the drop-down list, click on the inscription "Folder Options";
expand the "View" tab;
in the window, scroll through the list of parameters to the very end;
move the bottom switch to "Show";
also, if you need to show hidden files and folders in Windows 7, which are also system files, uncheck the box next to the text "Hide protected files";
click OK or press ENTER on your keyboard.

To check, open the explorer and go to the section with installed Windows. The Program Data directory should appear at its root. Note that files and folders that have been hidden by a developer or administrator appear as translucent icons - their colors blend into the background.

Additional ways

There are several more simple ways to open directory display options. For example, you can expand the Start menu and type the word "Settings" into the search bar. Then it remains to click on the item of the same name.

You can also show Windows 7 using the Control Panel configuration utility:

So go to Control Panel.
Click on the "Personalization" category.
In the window that opens, select Folder Options.
Go to the second tab from the left.
Set the switches to the position indicated in the instructions above.

To re-hide files, simply return the switches to their original position.

Command line

If working with directories is not necessary, but you just need to clarify their presence, there are enough funds command line. How to view hidden folders on Windows 7 using console commands? Follow the instructions below:

Create a shortcut by opening the context menu of the desktop, and following the path to the menu, "Create" - "Shortcut".
Enter "cmd" in the file location string.
Set the name to be arbitrary.
Run the shortcut as administrator.
Enter the letter of the drive you will be working with.
Navigate to the root of the directory where you want to show hidden folders in Windows 7 using the "cd" command immediately followed by the path to the desired folder, for example "cd C:\Windows".
Type "dir /ah", after which the screen will display a complete list of files and directories.

This method is the fastest, but it has one significant drawback - it will be difficult for a simple user to remember the commands and the order in which they are entered. For those who type slowly, this method is not suitable at all, since entering a long path will take too long.

Using third party software

Not only Explorer, but also third-party file managers, such as Total Commander, can show hidden folders in Windows 7. This approach is convenient if you often need to fine-tune the operating system, but not only experienced users work on the computer and the display of hidden directories in Explorer is not desirable.

How to view hidden folders on Windows 7 using Total Commander? Do the following:

First, install a file manager. It is distributed under a shareware model, but does not require the purchase of a license.
After installing and running Total Commander, click on the “Configuration” item. It is located in the top menu of the utility.
In the drop-down list, click on the "Settings" line.
On the left side of the settings window, select Panel Content.
In the main part of the parameters window, check both boxes in the top line.

If inexperienced users work on the computer, who can accidentally erase important system information, then before showing hidden folders in Windows 7 using Total Commander, you should first remove its shortcuts from the desktop. After that, you can run the program by typing the text "total" in the search bar. Total Commander is not the only file manager that can show hidden files. For example, Far Manager, FreeCommander, File Navigator are also equipped with similar functionality. Moreover, in Far Manager, the setting in question is made by default.

As you can see from the article, it’s not difficult to show hidden folders in Windows 7, but always remember that they were hidden from the user for a reason and the correct functioning of everything often depends on them. software. After deleting the hidden directory, the operating system may not boot at all. Perform any actions with hidden folders only after first creating a system restore point or even a full partition backup.

Most often, system files and folders are hidden. Operating system makes such files hidden for security purposes, because the user can, through negligence or ignorance, delete or change any of the files necessary for the normal functioning of the system as a whole, which can lead to serious consequences: from errors to a complete collapse of the system. By hiding files, Windows protects itself from the fact that the user once again does not have such a temptation.

Some applications and programs sometimes hide their files from users for the same reason. Hide their own files and folders and the users themselves when they do not want anyone to find this data.

Hidden file by appearance different from a regular file. When the display of hidden files and folders is enabled in the system, you can see that the icons of hidden folders or the names of hidden files look translucent.

How to see hidden files and folders in Windows XP

There are two ways to display hidden files and folders - through the "Control Panel" or through "Windows Explorer".

1. Display through the "Control Panel". You need to go to the "Control Panel", this is done through the standard "Start" menu: "Start" - "Control Panel". In the window that opens, in the top menu, click the "Tools" item, in the drop-down menu, click on "Folder Options". A properties window will open, in which you need to select the "View" tab. In this tab, in the advanced options window, select the item "Hidden files and folders" and check the box next to "Show hidden files and folders." Save the changes - click "Apply" and "OK".

2. Display through "Windows Explorer". We go to Explorer: double-click to open the "My Computer" item, or simultaneously press the Win and E keys. In the top menu of the explorer, select "Tools" and then proceed by analogy with the first item: select "Folder Options", then "View", look for item "Hidden files and folders", click "Show hidden files and folders", "Apply", "OK".

After the manipulations, the files and folders hidden up to this point become visible to the user and you can work with them in the same way as with regular files. However, there is a way to work with hidden files and folders without making them visible in the system. They can be searched and opened with any file manager, such as the popular Total Commander.

To do this, open the file manager, select the "Configuration" item, click the "Settings" section. A settings window will open, consisting of two parts. In the left part of the window, look for the item "Panel Contents". By clicking on it, we see a list of options on the right side of the window, among which we look for "Display files" and check the box next to "Show hidden / system files", then click "Apply" and "OK".