# Windows: how to show hidden files and folders

In addition to the folders in which Windows stores programs and documents, there are also numerous areas in the operating system that are not that easy to access at first glance. Most of the time, these folders contain **system-related data, configuration files or device drivers**.

One example is the [AppData folder](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/show-windows-appdata-folder/ "Show Windows AppData folder"), which contains program settings, user profiles and temporary files. This folder and the files in it are **hidden by default** because they are not normally needed for everyday tasks. Their purpose is to ensure that the operating system runs smoothly in the background.

## How do you deal with hidden files and folders?

There’s usually no reason to edit or change these hidden files, nor is it advisable. If you move, rename or accidentally delete these items, certain **applications may stop working** or the Windows installation may be damaged. In the worst-case scenario, changing these files can cause a total **system failure**.

Therefore, never make any changes to hidden system files unless you know exactly what you’re doing. When in doubt, you should **consult with your system administrator**. It’s also advisable to create a [system backup](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/how-to-back-up-windows-7-computers/ "How to back up Windows 7 computers") beforehand so you can restore your system in the event of an emergency.

Sometimes you still might need to **access these hidden files**, for example if you want to clean up the [Windows.old](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/deleting-windowsold/ "Deleting Windows.old") folder, which contains a backup of the system files of your previous Windows installation. In this case, you have the option of viewing the hidden files. The procedure differs slightly depending on the version of the Windows operating system you’re using.

## Showing hidden files in Windows 10 and 8

To show hidden folders and files in Windows 8 and Windows 10, proceed as follows:

1. Open the File Explorer using the [Windows shortcut](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-shortcuts/) **Windows** + **E**.
2. Then select the “View” tab in the ribbon at the top and click the “Show/Hide” box.
3. Select the “Hidden items” checkbox to show the hidden files.

[![Image: Showing hidden files and folders in Windows 10](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/e/7/csm_windows-show-hidden-folders-1_a222db5781.webp "Showing hidden files and folders in Windows 10")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/windows-show-hidden-folders-1.png) Showing hidden files and folders in Windows 10 Once you’ve shown the hidden items, hidden folders in Windows appear **slightly transparent**.

[![Image: Appearance of unhidden files in Windows](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/2/5/csm_windows-show-hidden-folders-2_2db7b1401e.webp "Appearance of unhidden files in Windows")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/windows-show-hidden-folders-2.png) Appearance of unhidden files in Windows Alternatively, you can show hidden files via the **Folder Options** in Windows. To do this, follow these five steps:

1. Open the File Explorer as described above.
2. Choose **View** and then the **Options** box.
3. In the Folder Options dialog box, go to **View**.
4. Scroll down in the menu until you reach the **Hidden files and folders** heading.
5. Select the **Show hidden files, folders, and drives** option and choose **OK** to confirm.

[![Image: Showing hidden files via the Folder Options in Windows 10](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/2/7/csm_windows-show-hidden-folders-3_ee21829fb0.webp "Showing hidden files via the Folder Options in Windows 10")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/windows-show-hidden-folders-3.png) Showing hidden files via the Folder Options in Windows 10 If you need to **hide** the files again, remove the checkmark in the “Show/hide” menu or change the setting in the Folder Options.

## Hidden files in Windows 7

The procedure for showing hidden files and folders is similar in Windows 7. However, there are minor differences in menu navigation. Proceed as follows to show hidden files in Windows 7:

1. Open the File Explorer using the keyboard shortcut **Windows** + **E**.
2. Then click **Organize** in the toolbar at the top and select **Folder and search options** from the drop-down menu.
3. In the dialog box that appears, select the **View** tab.
4. Scroll down to **Hidden files and folders** in the menu and select the **Show hidden files, folders and drives** option.
5. Finally, click **OK** again to confirm and save the setting.

[![Image: Showing hidden files in the Windows 7 Folder Options](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/0/csm_windows-show-hidden-folders-4_fb37e88309.webp "Showing hidden files in the Windows 7 Folder Options")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/windows-show-hidden-folders-4.png) Showing hidden files in the Windows 7 Folder Options  Note Microsoft officially stopped supporting Windows 7 at the beginning of 2020. Security updates are no longer released for the operating system. See our article on [end of support for Windows 7](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/windows-7-end-of-life/ "Windows 7: End of Life") to find out what this means for you and what your current options are.

## Showing hidden files using Command Prompt

Another method of showing hidden files in Windows 7 and later versions of Windows is to use [Command Prompt](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/windows-cmd-commands/ "Windows CMD commands"). To do this, proceed as follows:

1. To open the command line, click **Start**, type the command **cmd** in the search box and then open Command Prompt.
2. Note the drive where the hidden files are saved, for example the *C:\\* drive.
3. Then enter the following command to display the hidden files (in this case, c stands for the drive *C:\\*): **attrib -s -h -r /s /c \*.\***

[![Image: Windows: Showing hidden files using Command Prompt](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/9/3/csm_windows-show-hidden-folders-5_18c2516bd2.webp "Windows: Showing hidden files using Command Prompt")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/windows-show-hidden-folders-5.png) Windows: Showing hidden files using Command Prompt ## How to hide files and folders in Windows yourself

You may also want to hide specific files or entire folders yourself, for example, if you’re using a computer with multiple users. The easiest way to do this is to create a folder, right-click the properties and then select the **Hidden** option under **Attributes**. The procedure is the same for individual files, such as Office documents.

[![Image: Changing Windows attributes and hiding files](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/0/5/csm_windows-show-hidden-folders-6_30ec3137d0.webp "Changing Windows attributes and hiding files")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/windows-show-hidden-folders-6.png) Changing Windows attributes and hiding files The problem with the above methods for viewing hidden files is that the hidden folders can be easily unhidden by other users. However, you can use a different method to avoid this problem:

1. Create a new folder, right-click it and then select the “Properties” option from the menu.
2. Click the “Customize” tab and change the folder icon by clicking “Change icon”.
3. Select a **blank icon** from the list displayed (see screenshot below) so that the folder has no icon.
4. Then rename the folder by right-clicking it and selecting “Rename”.
5. Press the space bar once (or several times). Save the name change by pressing the Enter key.

[![Image: : Changing the icon and making the folder invisible](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/e/1/csm_windows-show-hidden-folders-7_4be40e1509.webp ": Changing the icon and making the folder invisible")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/windows-show-hidden-folders-7.png) : Changing the icon and making the folder invisible This way, you create a folder that has **no name and no icon** and cannot be made visible by changing the folder options. To open the folder, simply click on its location. Be sure to remember the location because the folder is now invisible.

Tip Are you a Mac user? Follow our step-by-step guide to find out how to [show hidden files and folders on a Mac](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/showing-hidden-files-on-a-mac/ "Showing hidden files on a Mac").


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-show-hidden-folders-and-files/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-show-hidden-folders-and-files/) for AI/LLM consumption.