How to View Hidden Files or Folder on Windows 10

This Itechguide teaches you how to view hidden files or folders on Windows 10. The guide covers steps for 3 methods to view hidden files on Windows 10.

Option 1: View Hidden Files or Folders from File Explorer

• Right-click Windows 10 Start menu and click File Explorer.

• When File Explorer opens, click the View tab. The View tab will expand.

• Then, on the top right of the expanded View tab, click Options. Folder Options will open.

• On the Folder Options window, click the View tab.

• Finally, below the Advanced settings of Folder Options view tab, locate Hidden files and folders category and select Show hidden files, folders and drives.
• When you finish, to save your changes, on the bottom left of Folder Options, click OK.

Option 2: View Hidden Files or Folders from Control Panel

• Type control panel in the search box. Then, from the search results click Control Panel.

• When Control Panel opens, on the top right, if View by is set to Category, click the drop-down and select Large icons or Small icons.

• Then, on the modified Control Panel view, click File Explorer Options.

• On the File Explorer Options window, click the View tab.

• Finally, beneath Advanced settings, on the Hidden files and folders section, select Show hidden files, folders and drives.
• Then, to save your changes, on the bottom left of the File Explorer Options window, click OK.

Option 3: View Hidden Files or Folders by Editing Windows Registry

• Right-click Windows 10 Start menu and click Run.

• On the Run Window, type RegEdit and click OK.
• If you receive a User Account Control confirmation window, click Yes. The Windows Registry Editor will open.

• When Registry Editor opens, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER. To expand the category, click the arrow beside it.

• Then, navigate to the following path…

Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

• When you get to the Advanced key, click it. Then, on the detailed pane (right pane), double-click the Hidden registry key.

• When the key opens for editing, to Show hidden files, folders and drives, change Value data from 2 to 1.

• After changing Value data from 2 to 1, to save your changes, click OK.

It is very easy to view hidden files or folders on Windows 10! I hope you found this Itechguide helpful. If it was helpful, click on “Yes” beside the “Was this page helpful” question below.

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