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, 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.
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Matching emailSSL certificate24/7/365 supportThere’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 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 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.
To show hidden folders and files in Windows 8 and Windows 10, proceed as follows:
Once you’ve shown the hidden items, hidden folders in Windows appear slightly transparent.
Alternatively, you can show hidden files via the Folder Options in Windows. To do this, follow these five steps:
If you need to hide the files again, remove the checkmark in the “Show/hide” menu or change the setting in the Folder Options.
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:
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 to find out what this means for you and what your current options are.
Another method of showing hidden files in Windows 7 and later versions of Windows is to use Command Prompt. To do this, proceed as follows:
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.
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:
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.
Are you a Mac user? Follow our step-by-step guide to find out how to show hidden files and folders on a Mac.
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