Some Microsoft operating system files remain hidden, or rather, kept in a safe place, because they are too sensitive to be exposed. It is an important precaution, since modifying or deleting them by mistake could have unintended consequences. In any case, if you are interested in consulting them at any time, we will explain How to show hidden files and directories in Windows.
To know what files we are talking about, we refer to those that are necessary for the correct functioning of the operating system. These are usually the configuration files, although they are also usually hidden by default temporary and cache files.
So if these are files that are so important that they shouldn't be modified, why explain how to access them? Sometimes we have no choice but to make them visible and perhaps edit them.. In some cases, even remove them. These are usually necessary when we are trying to solve some important problem of our operating system
Obviously, we should only perform these types of actions if we know exactly what we are doing. As we pointed out at the beginning of the post, a small error when handling these files can end up causing chaos within the system.
Show hidden files in Windows: two ways to do it
There are two possible methods to perform this operation on a Windows PC. The first is to use the system's File Explorer; the second is to do it through the options of the folder itself. We analyze both below:
From File Explorer
If we decide to use this first option, these are the steps we must follow:
- First, we open the File Browser using the key combination Windows + E.
- Then we select the tab "Sight" on the top bar.
- Then we click on the option "Show", which is usually shown with an open eye icon.
- Finally, in the next drop-down menu that opens, we mark the option "Hidden elements".
With these simple steps we will be able to view all the hidden files and folders in the system.
From the Folder Options
This is the second method we have available to show hidden files on our Windows PC. The procedure, a little longer than the one explained above, is as follows:
- Just like before, to start we open the File Browser.
- Then, in the top bar, we click on the tab "Vista".
- Then, on the right side of the screen, we select "Options".
- A new window opens, in which we click on the tab "Watch".
- Now we must go to the section of "Advanced configuration".
- There we find the option «Hidden files and folders».
- Within it, we select the option of "Show hidden files, folders, and drives."
- Next we uncheck the option «Hide protected operating system files», action that allows us to access critical system files (only recommended for advanced users).
- To finish, we click on "Apply" and then "To accept".
After this, we will be able to see all the hidden files in our Windows system. If, after viewing or editing their content, we want to hide them again, we just have to follow these same steps in reverse order.
How to hide files in Windows
Aside from knowing how to show hidden files in Windows, it can also be useful on certain occasions do just the opposite: hide files. Whether to keep them away from prying eyes or for the security reasons we have discussed above. To achieve this goal, we also have two possible methods:
From the folder itself
This is the simplest method, although it has the disadvantage that it has to be done manually, folder by folder. These are the steps to follow:
- To begin with, select the file or folder that we wish to hide.
- Then we right-click on it and, in the box that appears, we select the option "Properties".
- Then we go to the General tab, where we check the box "Hidden".*
- Finally, we click on "Apply" and then "To accept".
In the case of a folder, the system will ask us if we want to hide only the folder or also all its contents. We have to choose one or the other option depending on the case. To make the hidden files visible again, we will repeat the steps, unchecking the box Hidden in step 3.
Using the Command Prompt
We have already seen on other occasions that the Command Prompt or CMD can help us to execute all kinds of actions with our PC. Of course, it will also be useful to hide files and folders. This is what to do:
- First we open the start search with the key combination Windows + R. There we write "Cmd" and press Enter.
- Next, we enter the following command: attrib +h «C:\path\to\file\or\folder»*
(*) Obviously, we will have to replace «C:\path\to\file\or\folder» with the actual path of the file we want to hide. To undo this action, we will write the same path, but this time preceded by the command attrib -h.