Windows 7: Hidden Files and Folders - Show or Hide

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to have all hidden files, folders, and drives to show or don't show in Windows 7. These are set to be hidden by default in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

   Note

When you have these hidden files, folders, and drives set to show, the icon shows as transparent to indicate that they are set as hidden.

OPTION ONE

To Hide or Show Hidden Files using Folder Options

1. Open Folder Options.

2. To Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives
NOTE: This will also allow hidden drives to show despite if Hide empty drives in the Computer folder is checked.

A) Select (dot) Show hidden files, folders, and drives. (See screenshot below)

B) Click on the Apply button.

3. To Don't Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives

A) Select (dot) Don't Show hidden files, folders, and drives. (See screenshot above)

B) Click on the Apply button.

4. To Show Protected Operating System Files
NOTE: For example, desktop.ini files.

A) Do step 2.

B) Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files box. (See screenshot below step 5B)

C) Click on Yes to confirm. (See screenshot below)

D) Go to step 6.

5. To Hide Protected Operating System Files

A) Do step 3.

B) Check the Hide protected operating system files box. (See screenshot below)

6. Click on OK. (See screenshot above)

OPTION TWO

To Hide or Show Hidden Files using a BAT File Download

1. To Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives
NOTE: This will also allow hidden drives to show despite if Hide empty drives in the Computer folder is checked.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Show_hidden_files_folders_and_drives.bat

B) Go to step 5.

2. To Don't Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Don't_show_hidden_files_folders_and_drives.bat

B) Go to step 5.

3. To Show Protected Operating System Files
NOTE: For example, desktop.ini files. This also applies step 1.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Show_protected_operating_system_files.bat

B) Go to step 5.

4. To Hide Protected Operating System Files

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Hide_protected_operating_system_files.bat

5. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.

7. You will now notice a command prompt quckly open and close while applying the changes to your registry.

8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .bat file(s) if you like.

OPTION THREE

To Hide or Show Hidden Files using Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search line and press enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

For Current User Only:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

For All Users: (Must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this option)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

4. To Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives
NOTE: This will also allow hidden drives to show despite if Hide empty drives in the Computer folderis checked.

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on Hidden and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)

B) Type 1 and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

C) Go to step 8.

5. To Don't Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on Hidden and click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 3)

B) Type 0 and click on OK. (see screenshot below step 4B)

C) Go to step 8.

6. To Show Protected Operating System Files
NOTE: For example, desktop.ini files.

A) Do step 4.

B) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on ShowSuperHidden and click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 3)

C) Type 1 and click on OK. (see screenshot below step 7B)

D) Go to step 8.

7. To Hide Protected Operating System Files

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on ShowSuperHidden and click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 3)

B) Type 0 and click on OK. (see screenshot below )

8. Close regedit.

9. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.