How to view hidden files?

Hidden files are system files protected from being accidentally modified or deleted by a user. However, many types of viruses, spyware and hijackers have also been noticed to hide the files to make users think that all of their files have been deleted and trick them into purchasing the program in order to recover these files. This is made to make it hard to find the virus and postpone its removal from the system. To unhide hidden and protected files for troubleshooting purposes, here are the steps for each version of Windows:

Windows XP

To see hidden files in Windows XP, follow these steps:

1. Go to your desktop.
2. Double-click My Computer icon.
3. Select Tools, click Folder Options.
4. When new window appears, select View tab.
5. Check the box Display the contents of system folders.
6. Select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders under the Hidden files and folders section.
7. Uncheck the checkbox labeled Hide file extensions for known file types.
8. Uncheck the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
9. Press Apply button, OK and shutdown My Computer.
10. Now your computer is configured to show all hidden files.

Windows Vista

To see hidden files on Windows Vista, follow these steps:

1. Go to your desktop.
2. Click Start button.
3. Click Control Panel menu option.
4. When Control Panel opens, you can either be in Classic View or Control Panel Home view:

* When on Classic View:

1. Double-click on the Folder Options icon.
2. Click on the View tab.
3. Go to step 5.

* When on Control Panel Home view:

1.       Click on the Appearance and Personalization link.
2.     Click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
3.       Go to step 5.

5. Select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders when on Hidden files and folders section,
6. Uncheck the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
7. Uncheck the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
8. Press the Apply, then OK.
9. Now your PC is configured to show all hidden files.

Windows 7

To see hidden files on Windows 7, follow these steps:

1. Go to the desktop.
2. Click Start button.
3. Click Control Panel menu option.
4. When Control Panel opens, click on the Appearance and Personalization link.
5. Click on Show Hidden Files or Folders under the Folder Options category.
6. Select the radio button labeled Show hidden files, folders, or drives under the Hidden files and folders section
7. Uncheck the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
8. Uncheck the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
9. Press Apply button and OK.
10. Now your PC is configured to show all hidden files.

Windows 8

To see hidden files on Windows 8, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Control Panel app.
2. Click on the More Settings option.
3. Select the Appearance and Personalization link.
4. Under the Folder Options category, click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
5. Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files, folders, or drives.
6. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
7. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
8. Press the Apply button and then the OK button.

Windows 10

To see hidden files on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer from your taskbar. You can also open it with the keyboard shortcut Win+E.
2. At the top, click View.
3. If needed, click the arrow in the upper right to expand the options.
4. To the right, click Options.
5. In the box that opens, at the top, click View.
6. Scroll down to Hidden files and folders.
7. Turn on the radio button called Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
8. Press OK.