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To show hidden files and folders, use File Explorer’s Hidden items control in Windows 11 or the View options in Windows 10. Windows 11 also has a separate setting for showing hidden and system files; use that broader control only when you specifically need it.
Show hidden files and folders in Windows 11
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Open File Explorer.
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Select View > Show > Hidden items.
This is the regular File Explorer toggle for displaying hidden files and folders. Microsoft documents this path for Windows 11 in its File Explorer in Windows guidance.
Show hidden files, folders, and drives in Windows 10
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Open File Explorer and select View > Options > Change folder and search options.
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In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.
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Under Advanced settings, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives, then select OK.
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These are Microsoft’s documented Windows 10 steps. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11. See Microsoft’s File Explorer in Windows page for the version-specific instructions.
Windows 11: show hidden and system files
Windows 11 provides a separate Settings control that covers both hidden and system files:
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Open Settings > System > Advanced > File Explorer.
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Set Show hidden and system files to On.
This is broader than the ordinary Hidden items toggle in File Explorer. Microsoft documents the Settings route in its guidance on finding lost files after upgrading Windows.
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These controls change what File Explorer displays; showing an item does not remove its hidden attribute or repair the file. If you are following Microsoft’s procedure to copy files from a corrupted user profile, do not change the relevant File Explorer view options. Microsoft Support specifically warns: “Do not change File Explorer view options to show hidden files and folders or show hidden protected operating system files.” That caution applies to that recovery procedure; follow Microsoft’s Fix a corrupted user profile instructions as written.
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