How to Unhide Folders in Windows 7

This wikiHow teaches you how to enable viewing for hidden files and folders on a Windows 7 computer.

Steps

  1. Image titled Unhide Folders in Windows 7 Step 1
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    Open Start
    Windows 7 Start
    .     Click the multicolored Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. The Start menu will pop up.
  2. Image titled Unhide Folders in Windows 7 Step 2
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    Search for Folder Options. Click the search bar at the bottom of the Start menu, then type in folder options.
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  3. Image titled Unhide Folders in Windows 7 Step 3
    3
    Click Folder Options. You'll find this at the top of the Start menu. Clicking it prompts the Folder Options pop-up window to appear.
  4. Image titled Unhide Folders in Windows 7 Step 4
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    Click the View tab. It's at the top of the pop-up window.
  5. Image titled Unhide Folders in Windows 7 Step 5
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    Expand the "Files and Folders" item if necessary. If you don't see a list of settings under the "Files and Folders" heading that's in the "Advanced settings" section, double-click the heading to expand it.
  6. Image titled Unhide Folders in Windows 7 Step 6
    6
    Check the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" box. This box will appear slightly indented below the "Hidden files and folders" heading near the middle of the section.[1]
    • If you don't see this checkbox under the "Hidden files and folders" heading, first double-click the "Hidden files and folders" heading to prompt it to appear.
  7. Image titled Unhide Folders in Windows 7 Step 7
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    Show hidden system files if necessary. If you want to be able to see hidden system files, scroll down and uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" box, then click Yes when prompted.
    • Doing this will unhide files which, if tampered with, can render your computer impossible to use. Only unhide system files if you know what you're doing.
  8. Image titled Unhide Folders in Windows 7 Step 8
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    Click Apply. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so applies your settings.
  9. Image titled Unhide Folders in Windows 7 Step 9
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    Click OK. This is at the bottom of the window. Clicking it closes the Folder Options window. You can now view hidden folders (and files) on your computer.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    I couldn't disable the hidden option in the general tab of the properties window. Any tips?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Click on File Explorer on the taskbar (make sure all applications are closed), then navigate to View at the top. Check "hidden items".
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Warnings

  • If you choose to show hidden system files, be careful not to move, rename, delete, or otherwise mess with them. If you must edit a system file, back up your computer and then make a copy of the file to edit rather than editing the original.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files

About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 718,442 times.
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Co-authors: 9
Updated: June 4, 2020
Views: 718,442
Categories: Windows 7
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