To show these hidden files and folders, type File Explorer Options in Windows 11/10 or Folder Options in Windows 8/7, in start search and hit Enter to open the window. Under the View tab, check the Hidden files, folders and drives check box. If you need to also show the system-protected hidden files and folders too, uncheck the Hide protected operating system files option.
Click Apply and exit. The hidden files and folders will now be visible.
Show hidden files and folders option missing
If you find that in your Windows, when you open your File Explorer Options earlier called Folder Options, via Windows Explorer > Organize > Folder & Search Option > Folder Options > View > Advanced Settings, the Show Hidden Files, Folders and Drives option is missing, then here is a Registry hack you can try, to enable it. Create a system restore point first. Then type regedit in Windows start search box and hit Enter. Navigate to the following key:
In the right pane, right-click on Type and select Modify. Here Change Value Data to “group” without the inverted commas. Click OK > Exit. Hope this helps. If this doesn’t help, then Windows 10/8.1 users may download and apply this registry fix. Alternatively Windows 7, Windows Vista users could use our freeware FixWin to fix this issue. You will find the fix under its Explorer section.
