How to Find Hidden Files and Folders in Windows
Open the Start menu ., Type file explorer options into Start., Click File Explorer Options., Click the View tab., Click the Show hidden files, folders, and drives circle., Click Apply, then click OK., Open File Explorer ., Click your hard drive's...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Open the Start menu .
Either click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the ⊞ Win key.
On Windows 8, hover your cursor in the top-right corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon. -
Step 2: Type file explorer options into Start.
This will bring up the File Explorer Options icon at the top of the search results. , It's the folder-shaped icon at the top of the Start window. , You'll see it at the top of the File Explorer Options window. , It should be in the middle of the "Advanced settings" window.
If you don't see this option, double-click the Hidden files and folders line of text.
If you don't see that option either, first double-click Files and Folders at the top of the "Advanced settings" window. , Both of these buttons are at the bottom of the window.
Doing so will reveal any hidden files, folders, drives, and other items on your computer. , This app is the folder-shaped icon on your taskbar.
You can also type file explorer into Start and then press ↵ Enter. , It's in the left-hand column of options.
In most cases, this will be OS (C:). , It's in the top-right corner of the File Explorer window. , If you don't know the item's name, try typing an asterisk and then the item's file type (e.g., typing "*.jpg" will show results for all jpeg images that end in the filetype ".jpg"). , You should see several hidden folders and files here.
These files and folders are not accessible from the Start search.
If you don't see your desired hidden file, folder, or other item, click This PC in the left-hand column and run your search again. -
Step 3: Click File Explorer Options.
-
Step 4: Click the View tab.
-
Step 5: Click the Show hidden files
-
Step 6: folders
-
Step 7: and drives circle.
-
Step 8: Click Apply
-
Step 9: then click OK.
-
Step 10: Open File Explorer .
-
Step 11: Click your hard drive's name.
-
Step 12: Click the search bar.
-
Step 13: Type in the name of a hidden item.
-
Step 14: Review the results.
Detailed Guide
Either click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the ⊞ Win key.
On Windows 8, hover your cursor in the top-right corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon.
This will bring up the File Explorer Options icon at the top of the search results. , It's the folder-shaped icon at the top of the Start window. , You'll see it at the top of the File Explorer Options window. , It should be in the middle of the "Advanced settings" window.
If you don't see this option, double-click the Hidden files and folders line of text.
If you don't see that option either, first double-click Files and Folders at the top of the "Advanced settings" window. , Both of these buttons are at the bottom of the window.
Doing so will reveal any hidden files, folders, drives, and other items on your computer. , This app is the folder-shaped icon on your taskbar.
You can also type file explorer into Start and then press ↵ Enter. , It's in the left-hand column of options.
In most cases, this will be OS (C:). , It's in the top-right corner of the File Explorer window. , If you don't know the item's name, try typing an asterisk and then the item's file type (e.g., typing "*.jpg" will show results for all jpeg images that end in the filetype ".jpg"). , You should see several hidden folders and files here.
These files and folders are not accessible from the Start search.
If you don't see your desired hidden file, folder, or other item, click This PC in the left-hand column and run your search again.
About the Author
Grace Lane
Experienced content creator specializing in hobbies guides and tutorials.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: