To view hidden folders in Windows 10, open File Explorer (Windows + E), click the View tab, and check Hidden items in the Show/hide group. Hidden files and folders, such as AppData, appear slightly faded. To also see protected operating system files, click View > Options > View tab and uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
This guide covers showing hidden items, Folder Options, the Settings and Control Panel methods, command-line options, how to hide or unhide specific folders, and why some folders still don’t appear.
Method 1: File Explorer View tab
- Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
- Click the View tab on the ribbon.
- Check Hidden items.
This setting applies to all folders until you turn it off.
Method 2: Folder Options
- In File Explorer, click View > Options (or search for File Explorer Options in Start).
- Open the View tab.
- Under Hidden files and folders, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
- Optionally uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and click Yes to the warning.
- Click OK.
Leave protected operating system files hidden unless you need them; deleting or moving them can cause problems.
Method 3: Settings
Go to Settings > Update & Security > For developers, and under File Explorer, click Show settings next to Change settings to show hidden and system files, then Apply. (Newer builds may label this differently.)
Method 4: Command line
- Command Prompt –
dir /alists all files, including hidden ones, in the current folder.dir /ahshows only hidden items. - PowerShell –
Get-ChildItem -Forceincludes hidden files.
Open a hidden folder directly
You don’t have to show hidden items to open a known hidden folder. Press Windows + R and type its path, such as %AppData% or %LocalAppData%, then press Enter.
Hide or unhide a specific folder
- Right-click the folder and choose Properties.
- Check or uncheck Hidden and click OK. Choose whether to apply it to subfolders and files.
Or select items and click View > Hide selected items. From Command Prompt, attrib -h -s "C:\path\folder" removes hidden and system attributes.
Why a folder still doesn’t show
- It has the system attribute. Uncheck Hide protected operating system files.
- Malware sometimes hides files. Run a full scan with Windows Security, then use
attrib -h -s /s /don affected drives. - You don’t have permission to see inside a folder. Check its Security tab.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to show hidden files?
Yes. Showing them doesn’t change anything. Just be careful not to delete files you don’t recognize.
How do I hide them again?
Uncheck Hidden items on the View tab.
How do I show hidden files in Windows 11?
Click View > Show > Hidden items in File Explorer.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.