Windows 10 offers an pick to prove subconscious files and folders that you don't run into by default. Once you enable this option, File Explorer starts displaying all your hidden items.

You can view the hidden files and folders in both File Explorer likewise as command-line tools similar PowerShell and Command Prompt.

Show Hidden Files and Folders in File Explorer

Follow the steps below to configure File Explorer to show all hidden contents in your directories.

  1. Open the Offset carte du jour, search for This PC, and select This PC in the search results.
  1. Select the View tab at the elevation of the This PC window.
  1. On the correct of your screen, enable the Hidden items checkbox.
  1. File Explorer will start displaying hidden files and folders on your computer.
  1. To re-hibernate your items, deselect the Subconscious items box in File Explorer.

Show Hidden Files and Folders From Control Panel

If you prefer the Control Panel, y'all tin can employ an option in this utility to get Windows 10 to display hidden files and folders.

  1. Access the Start menu, search for Control Panel, and select the utility in the results.
  1. In the Control Console, select the bill of fare next to View by and choose Category.
  1. Select the Advent and Personalization selection.
  1. Choose Show hidden files and folders nether the File Explorer Options.
  1. You lot're now in the View tab of the File Explorer Options window. Here, select the Show subconscious files, folders, and drives choice. Select Employ followed by OK.
  1. Windows File Explorer volition now display all your hidden files and folders.
  1. To hide hidden items, select the Don't evidence hidden files, folders, or drives choice. Then, select Apply followed by OK.

Testify Subconscious Files and Folders From Settings

Windows ten'due south Settings app also includes the option to show hidden contents on your PC.

To use this method:

  1. Press Windows + I keys to launch the Settings app or search and select Settings in the Start menu.
  1. Select the Habitation push button if you lot're non on the main settings page shown in Step 3.
  2. Select Update & Security.
  1. Select For developers from the left sidebar.
  1. Whorl down the right pane to Alter settings to show subconscious and system files. Choose Prove settings.
  1. Enable the Show hidden files, folders, and drives pick. And then, select Utilize and select OK to save your settings.

View Hidden Files and Folders in PowerShell

If y'all prefer command-line methods, yous can use a command in Windows PowerShell to call up a list of all your hidden files and folders.

  1. Click on Offset or the Windows Icon on the bottom left and type PowerShell. Select Windows PowerShell from the results.
  1. In the PowerShell window, type cd, blazon a space, and so enter the full path of the folder where your hidden files are located. For example, if your hidden files are in a folder called MyDocuments on your desktop, you'd use the following command replacing USER with your username. And so, press Enter.

    cd C:\Users\USER\Desktop\MyDocuments

  1. Type dir -force and printing Enter. This reveals your hidden files and folders.
  1. If yous aren't sure what folder contains the hidden files, type cd, type a space, enter the full path of the folder whose subfolders could have the subconscious files, and press Enter. Then, run this command:

    dir -recurse -strength

  1. Hidden items in the selected folder and sub-folders should appear in the PowerShell window.

Keep in mind that this method only shows hidden files in a PowerShell window; information technology doesn't make hidden items visible in File Explorer.

View Hidden Files in Windows Command Prompt

Another way to view a list of hidden files and folders is to use Command Prompt. Follow the steps below:

  1. Press the Windows key to open the Start menu, search for Control Prompt, and select the utility in the search results.
  1. Type cd, type a space, then enter the full path of the binder where your hidden files are stored. And so, press Enter.
  1. Type dir /ah  to view a list of the hidden files and folders.
  1. If you lot don't know what folder contains the hidden files, you can run a hidden file scan on a parent binder. This volition scan all of the subfolders in that primary folder. To do this, type cd, blazon a space, enter the full path of the folder, and press Enter. So, run the following control:

    dir /ah /s

  1. The Command Prompt window now lists the hidden items from the specified folder and sub-folders.

The in a higher place method doesn't make any changes to File Explorer options and only lists the hidden files.

Show Hidden Operating System Files

There are certain operating system files that won't appear even if yous enable the hidden files option in File Explorer. Follow the steps beneath to toggle on a separate option to view these subconscious OS files:

  1. Printing the Windows cardinal to open the Start menu, type Bear witness subconscious files, and select that pick in the search results.
  1. Scroll to Change settings to show hidden and system files and select Bear witness settings.
  1. Coil down to Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). Uncheck the box for this option.
  1. Select Aye if a warning pops up. Then, select Apply followed by OK.

A Discussion of Caution

On the internet, many resources may inquire you to utilize the attrib command from the Command Prompt or PowerShell to view your hidden items. It's by and large not rubber to change the aspect of a system file as this may have unexpected consequences.

Do let usa know, in the comments below, which method worked for you.