How to Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives in Windows 10
Hidden files, folders, and drives do not show by default in Windows. Windows protected system files (ex: desktop.ini files) are hidden by default. You can also manually hide a file or folder by setting its hidden attribute.
It's recommended to not modify or delete hidden files since these are usually app and system files, and is why they do not show in File Explorer by default.
When you set to show hidden files, folders, and drives, they will appear dimmed to indicate that they are hidden items.
This tutorial will show you how to show or don't show hidden files, folders, and drives for your account in Windows 10.
If you want an empty CD/DVD drive to show in the navigation pane, you'll need to set show empty drives below, and set to show all folders in the navigation pane.
Contents
- Option One: To Hide or Show Hidden Files in File Explorer Options
- Option Two: To Hide or Show Hidden Files in File Explorer Ribbon
- Option Three: To Hide or Show Hidden Files using a BAT file
EXAMPLE: Hidden (dimmed) files set to show in File Explorer
1 Open Folder Options.
2 Do step 3, step 4, step 5, or step 6 below for what you would like to do.
A) In the View tab, select (dot) Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
This is the default setting.
A) In the View tab, select (dot) Don't show hidden files, folders, and drives, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
A) In the View tab, select (dot) Show hidden files, folders, and drives, uncheck the Hide protected operating system files box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
This is the default setting.
A) In the View tab, check the Hide protected operating system files box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
This option will allow you to quickly toggle to hide or show whatever you have set from Option One above.
1 While you have File Explorer (Win+E) open, click/tap on the View tab, and check (show) or uncheck (hide) the Hidden items box in the ribbon for what you want. (see screenshot below)
The downloadable .bat files below are for changing the DWORD values in the registry key below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Hidden DWORD
0 = Don't show hidden files, folders, and drives
1 = Show hidden files, folders, and drives
ShowSuperHidden DWORD
0 = Hide protected operating system files
1 = Show protected operating system files
1 Do step 2, step 3, step 4, or step 5 below for what you would like to do.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 6 below.
Show_hidden_files_folders_and_drives.bat
Download
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 6 below.
Don't_show_hidden_files_folders_and_drives.bat
Download
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 6 below.
Hide_protected_operating_system_files.bat
Download
This also does step 2 above.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 6 below.
Show_protected_operating_system_files.bat
Download
6 Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run the .bat file.
7 If prompted, click/tap on Run to approve.
If you like, you can unblock the .bat file to stop getting the Run prompt.
8 You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt quickly open and close as explorer is restarted to apply the registry changes.
9 When finished, you can delete the downloaded .bat file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Set or Unset Hidden Attribute of Files and Folders in Windows 10
- How to Add Hide selected items to Context Menu in Windows 10
- How to Add Hidden items to Context Menu in Windows 10