When working with files in the Windows OS, quite often situations may arise in which it is necessary to access hidden files. Hidden files are files that are not visible to the computer user by default. This function is implemented in order to prevent inexperienced users from interfering with the operation of files important to the system. However, many people still want to know how to open hidden files in Windows.
What you need to know about hidden files
In fact, the term "hidden file" means only that such a file is assigned the "Hidden" attribute in the file system. The system administrator can independently assign this attribute to user files. To do this, you just need to find the file or folder you are interested in in Explorer, select it with the left mouse button, then right-click to open the context menu and select the "Properties" section. You will seethe properties window of the file or directory, in which it will be possible to check or uncheck the box next to the "Hidden" item. But if you want to know how to open hidden files in the Windows system directory, then be careful, because making changes to such files can lead to system inoperability.
Solution for Windows XP
Press the "Start" key on the keyboard to open the menu of the same name. In the right column of elements you will see the "Control Panel" button. You must click on it, after which a window will open, similar to the standard Windows Explorer. At the top of the window, find the "Tools" menu item. Hovering over it with the mouse, you will see the sub-item "Folder Options" - open it. At the next stage, we will need to go to the "View" tab, where there are a large number of settings for the files and directories of the system. If you scroll the slider on the right side of the window to the very bottom, the line we need will appear - "Show hidden files and folders" and an alternative to it - "Do not show". Select the option that you need at the moment, and click the OK button - this will save the selected settings. Done!
How to open hidden files is no longer a secret. Now in the explorer you will be shown both regular and hidden objects of the file system. The latter you will be able to distinguish due to the fact that they will be displayed a little dim compared to regular files. So the system will let you know that this directory or fileis hidden.
Display hidden files in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10
To do this, we only need to make a couple of changes to the algorithm of actions described above. Namely:
- In Windows Vista, after opening the "Control Panel" in the left column, click on the "Classic View" link. This will display a lot of icons, including the Folder Options shortcut we need. After opening it, follow the steps similar to those that must be performed in Windows XP.
- In Windows 7, go to the "Control Panel" in a convenient way. In the upper right corner you will find the view mode selection function - you must select "Small Icons". The "Folder Options" icon we need will be displayed - click on it. The next steps are similar to those described earlier for Windows XP. This means that the way to open hidden files on Windows Seven is only slightly different from previous versions of the OS.
- In Windows 8, as well as 10, everything is much simpler. Open File Explorer in any folder. In the ribbon at the top of the window, select the "View" tab, after which you will be able to go to the "Show or hide" menu.
It should be noted that all these methods work for the "Explorer" program as a whole. That is, if you wanted to know how to open hidden files on a flash drive, then just follow one of the above instructions for your OS version, and all hidden files will be displayed. There are no risks inworking with hidden files that are in directories for personal use, but modifying hidden objects from system directories is highly discouraged.
