By default, the ability to see hidden files is disabled in any version of Windows. This is necessary so that inexperienced “dummies” do not accidentally delete anything and disrupt the operation of the OS. The solution is quite logical, since these folders are rarely needed. And even then - only to a few users. But sometimes there is a need to look at hidden files.

For example, during Windows optimization and garbage cleaning. Many programs (Microsoft Word, Skype) create hidden files during operation. Over time, they become unnecessary, but are stored on disk and take up extra space.

Very often gamers need to enable hidden folders and files. After all, they are where saves from many games are stored.

Also, displaying hidden files is required by users who want to hide documents on a flash drive, but do not yet know how to find them later. In general, there are a lot of reasons.

I should immediately note that this setting is carried out differently in different versions of Windows. Although some methods may be the same. Therefore, below are several instructions on how to enable hidden files in all Windows - “seven”, “eight”, “ten” and XP. Plus, there is a universal method that works on all operating systems.

How to open hidden files on Windows 7?

If you need to disable their display, then in the same window, check the box “Do not show...”.

Second way:

1. Go to Start, open Control Panel and click on the Folder Options shortcut.
2. Select the “View” section, scroll the slider down and activate the “Show...” item.
3. Save your changes by clicking Apply.

And the third way:

1. Open any folder you like.
2. Click the Alt button and a menu like this will appear.
3. Click Tools – Folder Options.
4. A familiar window will open: to enable showing hidden files, go to the “View” tab and check the “Show...” checkbox.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. Choose any method that suits you best and use it at the right time.

When you enable viewing of hidden files in Windows 7 using any of the methods described above, they will be visible everywhere. Including on a flash drive. You just need to connect it to your PC or laptop - and you will see the hidden folders (provided that they are there). The same applies to an external HDD.

We've sorted out the "seven", now let's move on to the "eight".

How to enable hidden files in Windows 8?

There are also 3 options to choose from. The first two are described above in the instructions for Windows 7. That is, you can enable hidden files in Windows 8 by entering the control folders command. Or by selecting the “Folder Options” shortcut in the Control Panel.

But there is another way to show hidden files in Windows 8:

1. Open any folder you like.
2. Select the "View" section.
3. Click on “Show or hide”, and then check the “Hidden elements” checkbox.

Ready. And not only in the current folder, but also in others. The same methods will help you display hidden files on a flash drive or external HDD – you just need to connect them to your computer or laptop.

The last method, which works on Windows 8, is also suitable for the “ten”

To enable hidden files in Windows 10:

1. Open any folder.
2. Select the "View" section.
3. Check the "Hidden Elements" box.

After this, you will be able to see hidden folders and documents in any partition of your hard drive or on a flash drive (it must be connected to the PC).

If you want to hide the folders again, uncheck this box.

There is also another way to enable the display of hidden files in Windows 10:

Ready. Now you can open any hidden files on Windows 10. As you can see, the methods on different versions of the OS are quite similar, but differ in minor nuances.

Not many users use Piggy today, but we’ll still consider it. You can view hidden files in XP like this:

That's it - now you can open or delete hidden folders and documents.

If you don’t want to understand the differences between different versions of Windows, you can use the universal method

In this case, you just need to install the Total Commander file manager (download link). The program sees hidden documents and works on all Windows.

How to see hidden files in Total Commander? To do this you need to do the following:

Now all folders and documents in Total Commander will be visible. And to do this, you don’t even have to go into Windows settings and change folder display settings.

Need to see hidden documents? Launch Total Commander and go to the desired hard drive partition. Or connect the USB flash drive and then open it through this file manager.

As you can see, all ingenious is simple. Now you know how to show hidden files and make them visible. And if necessary, you can easily find them. My only advice: if you find any unfamiliar folders, do not delete them. After all, they may contain important system files, the removal of which will disrupt the operation of Windows.

It happens that the Windows operating system hides some of its folders from users by making them hidden. For example, having picked up a virus in the Host file, it happens that it becomes invisible. More precisely, the Host file itself is visible, but its duplicate, which seems to complement it, is hidden from view. And to view it you need to configure the display of hidden files.

In this article we will look at 3 ways to open hidden folders and Windows 7 files or, conversely, hide them. This is done very simply.

METHOD 1. Open some window with folders, and in the upper left corner we find the “Arrange” tab. In the menu that opens, select the line “Folder and search options”

In the folder settings window that opens, select the “View” tab at the top. Find the item “Show hidden files, folders and drives” and mark it with a dot

Click the “Apply” and “Ok” button. All is ready.

METHOD 2. Again, open some window in Windows Explorer with folders and files. Press the “Alt” key. An additional panel will appear in the upper left corner.

In the additional panel, select the “Service” tab and then in the drop-down menu select the line “Folder Options”

And again we get to the settings window, where we first select the “View” tab and then “Show hidden files”

METHOD 3. This viewing method is suitable for those who have the Total Commander program installed

So, open the Total Commander program.

In the top panel, select the “Configuration” tab

In the settings window in the left panel, select “Panel Contents”

On the right side, check the box R12; Show hidden/system files (advanced only)

Click the “Apply” and “Ok” button

Here are three simple ways to view folders!

Sometimes a big problem for the user is discovering hidden folders. Finding system files on your computer is especially difficult. The Windows operating system device does not display all system files by default. In fact, the process of searching for them on a computer is very simple; anyone can master it without difficulty. And the question: “How to find a hidden folder?” will no longer be a problem.

Workspace

Windows is the most used OS in the world, so we will work with it. It should be immediately noted that in different versions of the operating system the location of the submenu may change, but the algorithm of actions remains unchanged.

Working on the computer occurs from the Start menu. This is a bright rectangular or round button with an inscription or Windows icon. It is located in the lower left corner of the screen on the taskbar.

First stage - “Control Panel”

With the left mouse button you need to click on the “Start” button, after which a directory consisting of 2 parts will open. One with a white background, the second with a blue background fill (there may be other colors).

The next step is to find the “Control Panel” section on the colored part of the directory and click on it. After which the “Settings” window will open.

Opposite the window is a drop-down menu called “View”. In it, select the item “Small icons”.

As a result, the files contained in the directory will become small in size and there will be more of them. Now find the “Folder Options” section and click on it.

After this, a new window with the same name will open. This contains various settings.

Stage two – working with tabs

At the top of the window on your computer there are tabs: “General”, “View”, “Search”. You need to select the “View” tab.

It contains 2 blocks:

• Folder view;
• Extra options.

They are located one below the other. You must select a block "Extra options". In it, among a series of square fields, where some are ticked and others are empty, you need to find round icons. There are only 4 of them, of which you need to mark an empty form called “Show hidden files, folders, drives”. By default, a directory with the same name is marked, but with the particle “Not” in front.

To make it easier to navigate, you need to go to the very bottom of the block and find the name "Hidden files and folders".

Final stage

After the desired function is activated, you need to confirm the action. This is done using the “Apply” button. It is located at the very bottom of the block and is the last in the row with the “OK” and “Cancel” buttons. Directly above it is a form called “Restore Defaults”.

After clicking the "Apply" button, it dims. You can all go to the Windows partition on drive C, all hidden partitions on the computer are now displayed, they are translucent.

Using this guide, you can discover all hidden files on your computer.

All current versions of the Windows operating system use the file hiding feature to protect system files and confidential user files. Files and folders marked as "Hidden" are not displayed in Windows Explorer, which means they are much less likely to be accidentally deleted or their contents changed.

The Windows 7 operating system provides several ways to open a hidden folder or file. The first is to change the Windows Explorer settings, and the second is to open the file through the address bar. The third way to find a hidden folder in Windows 7 is to use the search tools.

Quick navigation through the article

Explorer Options

In order to enable the display of hidden files and folders in Windows Explorer, you need to:

• Open the Start menu.
• Enter the phrase “Folder Options” into the search bar.
• Select the application of the same name from the search results.
• Switch to the "View" tab.
• Find the option “Show hidden files, folders and drives” and activate it.
• Click on the “Apply” and “OK” buttons.
• Open the desired folder.

Address bar

To open a file or folder whose name and location you know exactly, you must:

• Left-click once on the address bar, which is located next to the search form.
• In the activated text field, enter the full path to the desired folder, for example “C:GamesMario”. If you need to open a hidden file, you need to add its name and extension. The result will be "C:GamesMarioMarioBros.exe".
• Press the Enter key on your keyboard or the right arrow button next to the address bar to launch a file or open a folder.

Search

In order to activate search for files and folders on your computer, you need to:

• Open a Windows Explorer window.
• Enter a query containing the name of the file or folder into the search form.
• Press the “Enter” key.
• In the search results window, click on the button displaying a list of files.
• Select the “System Files” and “File Contents” options.
• Repeat search.