How do i show hidden files in windows 10 [Updated]

How do i show hidden files in windows 10 [Updated]

Show hidden files in windows 10- That's what we gonna see in this post -Works on Windows 10

Creators Update, Windows 10 Anniversary Update, and other editions of Windows like Windows 10

earlier builds like Aug 2015 and Nov 2015 builds.

In our last post, we had seen how to show libraries in windows 10 , in this post let's see how to view

hidden files in Windows 10.

Do you need any software ??

No, you don't require any software to show hidden files in pen drive or to show hidden files on 

windows 10 PC.

Then, how to do it..?

Just follow the below steps..

Note : There are different steps we can use to show the hidden folder or item, like using Powershell, Registry, Command prompt and so on.

Listed, here are the basic steps that doesn't require any knowledge of using Command prompt

commands or powershell commands,




How to show hidden files in Windows 10 - Method 1


1) First, Open your File explorer

If you don't know, how it is , then don't worry, just click on the below helpful link (what is file...)


2) When you have opened the file explorer you can find various tabs on the top of the pane

like File, Home, Share, View..

3) Click on the view tab.

4) It will display the Navigation pane and other related options like layout,current view, show or hide, etc..

5) Check the box "Hidden items"

That's it, it will show the hidden folders located on the drive..

How to view hidden files in Windows 10 - Method 2

The problem with the above method is, it won't show files that were protected or faked to look like

Protected operating system files, which can be done by using command like attrib -s -h,etc.. Commands

So, we need to enable another option to view protected operating system files or the file that was

converted to look like protected file.

1) Just follow the steps 1 to 4 from the previous step..

2) When you are on the step 4, click on the options option

3)Select Change Folder and Search Options.

4) it Will open a New Window named folder options,on that find Click items as follows Which Will be on 


View tab.


5) Under Advanced settings, scroll down and find the option "Files and folders" expand it,if it is not already expanded..


How do i show hidden files in windows 10 [Updated]


6) When you expanded/ scrolled down you will find options like Hidden files and folders.

Below that, there will be 2 Options..  

Don't show hidden files ,folders or drives.

and Show hidden files, folders or drives

7) Click on the Show hidden files, folders or drives option (radial button)

8) And again scroll down  and Uncheck the box "Hide Protected Operating system files"

9) Click on Apply

10) Click on OK.

Close the window.

That's it..

Warning : Try the Step 8 of method 2 only if you know the difference between operating system files and normal files, i don't recommend this if you are beginner or novice. As deleting or altering such files will result in your system crash. So, just skip 8 and follow the steps 9 and 10 after step 7.

Like, in the above you can show or view the hidden folders, files and drives in Windows 10 desktop , Windows 10 laptop and so on.

Remember you don't need to download software to open hidden files in windows 10 as it is inbuilt

in windows 10, and you need to change some options like above😊.

Hope it is helpful

That's the end of this post...

Click to read all basic tutorials..