Hidden files and folders are those that the Windows Operating System (OS) keeps the user from seeing when navigating the file system with “My Computer” or “Windows Explorer.” The folders and files that are hidden by the OS will contain system files that should not normally be accessed or modified by the end-user. Unfortunately, a large amount of computer malware and spyware makes use of this feature of the Windows OS in order to hide their presence from the end-user. A common task that you may have arise as a Windows computer user is showing hidden folders and files on your PC.

Show Hidden Folders in Windows Me

Step 1 – Exit from all programs that are open on your computer and double-click the “My Computer” program icon on the computer's desktop.

Step 2 – Click the “Tools” and “Folder Options” menu options followed by the “View” menu tab.

Step 3 – Click the show “Hidden Files and Folders” radio button located under the “Hidden Files and Folders” menu tab.

Step 4 – Remove the check box next to “Hide file extensions for known file types” and “Hide protected operating system files” radio buttons.

Step 5 – Click the “Apply” and “Ok” menu buttons and exit the “My Computer” window and hidden folders will now be displayed.How to show hidden folders

Show Hidden Folders in Windows XP

Step 1 – Repeat steps 1-3 for Windows Me.

Step 2 – Check the “Display the contents of systems folders” check box.

Step 3 – Click the radio button “Show hidden files and folders” located under the “Hidden files and folders” menu tab.

Step 4 – Remove the check boxes next to “Hide file extensions for known file types” and “Hide protected operating system files” radio buttons.

Step 5 – Click the “Apply and “Ok” menu buttons and hidden folders will now be displayed.

Show Hidden Folders in Windows Vista

Step 1 – Select the “Start” and “Control Panel” menu buttons.

Step 2 – In the “Classic View” double-click the “Folder Options” icon followed by the “View” menu tab. In the “Control Panel View” select the “Appearance and Personalization” menu link followed by “Show Hidden Files or Folders.”

Step 3 – Click the radio button labeled “Show hidden files and folders” under the “Hidden Files and Folders” menu tab.

Step 4– Remove the check box selections for “Hide extensions for known file types” and “Hide protected operating system files” followed by the “Apply” and “Ok” menu buttons. Hidden folders will now be visible on your computer.

Show Hidden Folders in Windows 7

Step 1 – Select the “Start” and “Control Panel” menu buttons.

Step 2 – Choose the “Appearance and Personalization” menu link and then select the “Show hidden files and folders” menu option.

Step 3 – Click the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” menu option under the “Hidden files and folders” menu tab.

Step 4 – Remove the checks from the check boxes labeled “Hide extensions for known file types” and “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)”.

Step 5 – Click the “Apply” and “Ok” menu buttons and Windows 7 will be configured to show hidden folders.