How to Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows 11
Like its predecessors,Windows 11also offers the option to show hidden system files and folders that are not visible in the File Explorer by default. The easiest way to enable the feature is through the File Explorer itself, but you can also do that via the Control Panel or through Windows Settings. We will show you all the methods to enable this feature and show hidden files and folders in this article.
Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows 11 (2022)
We will discuss all the ways you can show hidden files in Windows 11, whether it is through the File Explorer, Settings, Control Panel, and even the command prompt and PowerShell. So if you’re one of the people who prefers using the command line as much as possible, we’ve got you covered as well.
As always, you can use the table of contents below to jump ahead to the section that best suits your needs.
Method 1: Show Hidden Files and Folders from File Explorer
The easiest way to show hidden files and folders in Windows 11 is using File Explorer. There are two ways to do that based on whether you are using the File Explorer’s default minimalist view in Windows 11 or the traditional Windows 10 look with the detailed ribbon at the top. Here are both those methods:
Note:You can also open the File Explorer by pressing “Windows key + E”on the keyboard.
Note: You can choose to view all protected operating system files by unchecking the “Hide protected operating system files” checkbox, as seen in the screenshot below.
Note: If you don’t already know, earn how tomake Windows 11 look like Windows 10by customizing the Start Menu, right-click context menu, and file explorer options. You can learn how to enable the old Windows 10 ribbon-style menu options in this article.
If you’re using the traditional ribbon layout in the File Explorer, here’s what you need to do:
Now, whichever File Explorer UI you are using on Windows 11, you will see all hidden files and folders on your PC.
Method 2: Enable the ‘Show Hidden Files’ Option Using Control Panel
That’s it! The Windows 11 File Explorer will now display all your hidden files and folders.
Method 3: Enable the ‘Show Hidden Files’ Option From Windows 11 Settings
You can also enable the ‘Show hidden files …’ option on Windows 11 using the Settings menu. Here’s how it works:
You will now once again see the same ‘File Explorer Options’ pop-up window from Method 2. Follow the instructions as detailed above to display hidden files and folders in the Windows 11 File Explorer.
Method 4: View Hidden Files and Folders in Command Prompt
Another way to view a list of hidden files and folders on your Windows 11 computer is using Command Prompt. Here’s how you do that:
That’s it! The command above will only show any hidden files or folders at any given location. In my case, Demo Folder is a hidden folder created for demonstration purposes.
Note: This method will only show you hidden files or folders within the Command Prompt window. To make hidden items visible every time within File Explorer, you will have to follow one of the three methodsabove.
Method 5: View Hidden Files in Windows PowerShell
If you really like command-line methods, you can also use Windows PowerShell to see hidden files and folders in Windows 11. Here’s how:
Note: If you are not sure which folder contains the hidden files, enter the full path of the folder whose sub-folders may have hidden files. Then, use the following command:dir -recurse -force
View Hidden Files and Folders on Your Windows 11 Computer
Being able to see hidden files and folders in Windows 11 is really easy, but there’s one note of caution here. Many of these files are used by the operating system and are of critical importance to the proper functioning of your PC. So do not alter them in any way unless you know what you are doing. That said, now that you know how to show hidden files and folders on your PC, check out some of our other Windows 11 tutorials. That includes how tochange power mode settings in Windows 11and how tochange administrator in Windows 11.
Kishalaya Kundu
Passionate techie. Professional tech writer. Proud geek.
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