How to View Hidden Folders in Windows
In Windows operating systems, certain folders are hidden by default to protect sensitive files and system files from being accidentally modified or deleted. However, there may be instances when you need to access these hidden folders for various reasons. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to view hidden folders in Windows.
Step 1: Open File Explorer
Firstly, open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Step 2: Access Folder Options
Next, click on the “View” tab at the top of the File Explorer window. In the “Show/hide” section, click on “Options” to open the Folder Options dialog box.
Step 3: Go to the View Tab
In the Folder Options dialog box, click on the “View” tab. This tab contains various settings that control the appearance and behavior of File Explorer.
Step 4: Uncheck “Hide Protected Operating System Files (Recommended)”
Under the “Advanced settings” section, locate the “Hidden files and folders” option. Click on the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” radio button. Additionally, make sure to uncheck the “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)” option. This will reveal all hidden folders and files on your system.
Step 5: Click “Apply” and “OK”
After making the necessary changes, click on “Apply” to save the settings. Then, click “OK” to close the Folder Options dialog box.
Step 6: Refresh File Explorer
To ensure that the changes take effect, you may need to refresh File Explorer. You can do this by pressing the F5 key or by closing and reopening File Explorer.
Now, you should be able to see all hidden folders and files on your Windows system. Remember to change these settings back to their original state if you want to hide the hidden folders again for security reasons.
