– these are folders for which the “hidden” attribute is set. By default, such folders are not displayed in Windows interface. Hidden folders are used to hide folders that the user does not need. Often, hidden folders are folders with system files, the deletion of which can damage the operating system. In such cases, the “hidden” attribute is used as protection against accidental deletion of files. In this material you will learn how to make hidden folder visible and how you can remove the “hidden” attribute from it.

How to Make a Hidden Folder Visible Using Windows Settings

In order to make a hidden folder visible, you need to enable the display of hidden folders. To do this, open any folder and press the ALT key on . After this, a series of drop-down menus will appear: File, Edit, View, Tools and Help. After this we need to open the “Tools” menu.

After this, a window called “Folder Options” should open in front of you.

If you were unable to open the Folder Options window through the Tools menu, you can open it using search string in the Start menu. To do this, simply enter search query“folder options” and open the first line in the search results.

So, after you have opened the Folder Options window, you need to go to the View tab. Here there is a list of parameters that relate to folders and files. You need to find the option “Hide protected system files” and “ ”.

The option “Hide protected system files” must be disabled (unchecked), and the option “Show hidden files, folders and drives”, on the contrary, enable (check). After this, you need to save the settings; to do this, close the “Folder Options” window by clicking on the “Ok” button.

How to make a hidden folder visible by changing its properties

After these simple operations, hidden folders should become visible and you can work with them like the rest regular folders. If necessary, you can remove the “Hidden” attribute from hidden folders. To do this, click right click mouse over the hidden folder and select the “Properties” menu item.

After this, a window with the properties of your hidden folder will open. Here you need to uncheck the box next to “Hidden” and click on the “Ok” button.

If your folder contains other folders, you will see a window asking you to remove the hidden attribute from only this folder or from this folder and all subfolders. If you want to remove the hidden attribute from all subfolders, then select the second option and click on the “Ok” button.

After this, the folder you selected will no longer be hidden. Now, if there is such a need, you can turn off the display of hidden folders and work with the system as before. This can be done in the Folder Options window.

In order to edit some important system files, you need to know how to make hidden folders visible operating system. The point is that in all modern versions OS Windows settings by default they assume so-called fool protection. This means that an inexperienced user simply does not see most of the important system partitions and cannot make potentially dangerous changes to them.

But on the other hand, some fine settings The operating system may require editing of these hidden files. Also, most games and programs place their configs on the system partition, so in order to correct them you need to gain access to invisible folders. This article will provide detailed guide, which allows you to implement this procedure in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10, which are on this moment occupy the lion's share of operating systems used in the commercial and private sector.

Secrets of the Windows 7 system partition

This version of the operating system from Microsoft has taken the palm of popularity from the legendary XP, support for which ended several years ago. This success is primarily dictated user-friendly interface, which is easy to find necessary settings. This also applies to the option to show hidden folders and files, which is most easily activated through the taskbar.

• First you need in a standard way get to the taskbar: open Start and select “Control Panel”.

• Then click on the link “Design and personalization”.

Advice! For convenience, you need to select a display method by category.

• In the variety that opens, we need the “Folder Options” category, or rather, its “Show hidden files and folders” option, which speaks for itself.

• In the window that opens called “Folder Options,” expand the “View” tab and at the very bottom of the list of additional options we see the function of showing/hiding special files. All that remains is to set the checkbox to the desired position.

You can get to the “Folder Options” window in Windows 7 in a simpler way: to do this, just open any directory and select “Folder and Search Options” from the “Arrange” drop-down menu.

Advice! If you decide to use this method, by default only hidden files in the current directory will be displayed. To apply this rule to all drives, you must activate the “Apply to folders” option.

Having dealt with the classics, you can move on to more modern systems.

We delve into the intricacies of Windows 8

This version of the operating system is significantly different from Windows 7, which at one time caused many complaints from users. The changes affected, among other things, hidden directories: There are two types of files and folders in Windows 8, not visible to the user. The first is the actual hidden sections. Not only system files and folders have this status, but also components of various third party applications. Moreover, the user himself can assign this type to any object on the disk. However, this opportunity is often used malware, resulting, for example, in problems with files on the flash drive.

The second category of invisible files is important system components, which are thus protected from interference inexperienced users. For these two types, the algorithm of actions will be different. To open regular hidden files and folders, you need to do the following:

• First you need to open “Explorer”, for which you can use standard label in the "Taskbar".

• In the opened folder in top panel settings, click on the “View” menu and select the “Show and Hide” function. In the list that opens, you must activate the checkbox “ Hidden elements" In the same way, you can assign hidden status to any selected file or folder.

In order to see particularly important system files, you need to make the following settings:

• In the same “View” menu, go to “Options” - “Change folder and search options.”

• As a result, the “Folder Options” settings window will appear, similar to that in Windows 7. Here you should go to the “View” tab and uncheck the “Hide” protected system files checkbox (recommended).

There is another way to get to this window:

• In Start, which in eight has an unusual Metro interface, click on the gear icon (Computer Settings).

• In the menu that opens, you need to click on the lowest link to open the Control Panel, which is familiar to most users.

• In the “Taskbar”, first select the function display method Large (or small) icons, and then click on the “Folder Options” link, which will ultimately give access to the settings window of the same name.

It is also worth considering separately the algorithm for enabling the display of hidden and system elements for Windows 10, since, despite its similarity to the eight, the settings of this OS have their own nuances.

Hidden files and folders in Windows 10

In the top ten, there is the same division of hidden files into regular system ones, therefore the methods for enabling their display are similar to those discussed in the previous section. To see ten files and folders with the hidden attribute, including on a flash drive or any other external media, do the following:

• Open “Start” and launch “Explorer”.

• The appearance of "Explorer" in the top ten is practically no different from Windows 8. Therefore, it operates according to the already known algorithm: View - Show and hide - set to active position"Hidden elements" checkbox.

In order to see system files and folders, we need to get to the “Explorer Options” function (analogous to the Folder Options option).

• The fastest way to do this is through the search, the icon of which can be found on the “Taskbar”.

Advice! You can also use a keyboard shortcut to access the search. Win+Q.

• Clicking on the result search results, we will be taken to the functions window, which we have already encountered several times in this article. Here we are interested in the option “Hide protected system files (recommended), which is located on the View tab.

In conclusion, it is worth saying once again that editing hidden files, especially system files, can cause serious harm shell computer, so such changes should be treated as responsibly as possible.

Thematic video:

The installed operating system protects its vital data. They are invisible to users with any access rights. The goal is to protect the system from collapse due to an accidentally deleted file important for the operation of the operating system or damage to it by inept actions. If you work at an enterprise where equipment is serviced by an engineer with special education - system administrator, then you do not need knowledge about such data - if the need arises, the administrator will work with it. But, if the operating system at home malfunctions, knowledge will come in handy.

To make hidden folders appear, use the tips below

The need to show hidden folders in windows 7

Reasons to look at hidden folders:

• messages antivirus system about the virus in System Volume Information . Here the operating system saves data so that if a failure occurs, you can quickly restore the system (if this feature is enabled). By default this data is hidden
• desire to free HDD from unnecessary restore points
• clearing temporary files along the path C:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
• deleting files from Temp folders to free up disk space

Ways to open hidden folders in Windows 7

To display hidden folders in Windows 7, you need to get to their properties, where you can set the appropriate settings.

WATCH THE VIDEO

This can be done in several ways:

1. conductor
2. control Panel
3. additionally installed programs

Using Personalization Properties

Press the start button and use the control panel to go to the section that is responsible for the external display of information. It's called Design and Personalization. Here we select the section responsible for folder parameters and set the necessary parameters.

Fig.1 Go to the “Design and Personalization” section

If you want to display system data, then in the same way uncheck the box “Hide protected system files”

Using Windows 7 Explorer

IN windows explorer 7 select the “Arrange” item, then select the item responsible for folder properties.

Fig.2 Select “Arrange”

It's called Folder and Search Options. Data display options that allow you to make hidden folders visible are located on the View tab.

Fig.3 Go to “Folder and Search Options”

Using the properties of additionally installed program managers

Often users use additional managers for ease of use. Such as ACDSee, Total Commander, Far manager and similar. In the settings of most of them, you can configure the display of hidden folders, which allows you to enable hidden folders.

Ways to protect your own documents from damage

If a computer is used by several users, then often in order to hide information, protect it from the eyes of a neighbor, or protect the fruits of their labor from accidental damage, users make their data hidden. In addition, you can set a password on your own documents to protect against prying eyes and unplanned changes.

• You can create invisible folder in widows 7.

To do this, right-click on the name, select “Rename”, press simultaneously alt keys and 255. This way we get an invisible name. To make the folder itself invisible, you need to right-click from context menu select “change icon”, select an invisible icon from the proposed icons.

You can password protect a folder in Windows 7 in several ways:

• using an archiver
• by using additional programs(for example Hide Folder)
• with the help of a small program code written in the bat file

In addition, files become hidden if used in additional parameters their properties have the “hidden” attribute.

Especially in order to edit some system files, sometimes it is necessary to find and make visible hidden folders of the OS itself. Modern operating systems are equipped with special protection against accidental or intentional deletion system files.

An inexperienced user simply will not see files in the system folder, the deletion of which will lead to a malfunction in the system itself.

But it happens that you just need to get into the OS files and edit some points.
Most of the games, as well as programs along with full installation, also add their configs to the system section, so sometimes it is necessary to gain access to them and edit them.

This article is a guide that will give you the opportunity to perform the procedure on any operating system Windows 7 and higher.

1. System Windows partition 7

It took over its popularity from its predecessor XP, another OS is Windows 7. The success of the “seven” is a completely different topic for discussion.
First of all, let's go to " Start" and select " Control Panel»

We find the section “ Design and personalization».

Advice! For greater convenience, it is better to select the “view” display by category, as in the picture.

Enter the category " Folders settings", in the same section click on " Show hidden folders and files", like on a picture

In the new window, go to " Folders settings", and then go to " View", where at the very bottom the item "hide" or " display» special files. Place a checkbox in the desired cell.

You can find the Folder Options window in Windows 7 and more the easy way: Just open any directory and select “Folder and Search Options” from the “Organize” menu

Advice! If you choose this method, the necessary folders and files will be immediately shown in the desired directory. For this function to be applicable to all folders, you need to activate one more item “ Apply to folders».

2. Subtleties of Windows 8

This is a completely new stage in the development of Microsoft's OS, which means they differ significantly from their predecessor, Windows 7. The changes even affected directories: in Win 8 there are no longer two types of files and folders that would be invisible to the user.

Hidden section (regular hidden files) is a section with hidden files. This status is established not only system folder, but also on application components. And any file can be hidden on any disk.

But this opportunity is very often used by virus programs and as a result, problems may arise with transferring files, for example, to a flash drive.

One more already system partition, system components that are hidden by the system and warn users against them. For " interventions" V different types files you need to carry out different actions.
Open the first type of files:

- Go to “Explorer”

- In the folder that opens, click on “ View", go to " Show and hide" Another element will appear in a special window - “Hidden Elements”. Check the box or remove it.

To display system files, do the following:
In the same menu " View" go to " Options", and then to the section "Change search and folder options".

Settings window " Folders settings" is typical, and very similar to the same window in Windows 7. Here you need to go to the already familiar section, “View” and uncheck the “hide” function.

Another way:
Go to " Start“, then click on the “gear”, as in the picture.

In the menu that appears, click on the bottom link “Control Panel”

In the “Taskbar” section, select a special way to display functions as “Large”, and then go to the “Folder Options” section, this will give access to that very settings window.

3. Hidden files and folders in Windows 10

In the modern “ten”, the methods for enabling the display of hidden folders are the same as in the section before.
Open " Start", then go to "Explorer".

The conductor in the “ten” is almost the same as in the “eight”. Therefore, we do the same: “View” - “Show and hide” - set the checkbox to the required position.

To display system files, go to “File Explorer Options”. This is done through the “Taskbar”. It is best to use the search using the Win+Q hotkeys.

By clicking on the result, you will be taken to a window of functions that you have already encountered more than once before. Go to the selected element and set the necessary parameters.

As a result: editing and changing system files may harm your operating system. Therefore, you should be careful with these files so as not to render the system inoperable.

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Often, operating room users Windows systems, in particular one of her latest versions- Windows 7, there is a need to make hidden folders visible in Explorer. You will learn how to do this from this short note. There are two main ways to enable the display of hidden folders in Windows 7. Each of them is quite simple, just one is shorter and the other is longer.

Method one. This is what is shown to schoolchildren and students in computer science lessons. Find the “My Computer” shortcut on the Desktop and left-click on it. At the top, in the very corner of the left side of the screen, you will see the “Arrange” item. Click on this word with the left mouse button. In the window that appears, select “Folder and Search Options.”

Another one will appear Windows window 7 “Folder Options”. Click on the second tab. In the additional settings, find the “Hidden files and folders” item, check the “Show hidden files, folders and drives” checkbox.

Before closing the window, do not forget to click “Apply” and “OK”. That's it, after completing these simple steps hidden folders will appear on your computer.

Method two. It is not particularly different from the first one and, in principle, is similar to it. So, first, open “Control Panel” from the “Start” menu.

A Windows 7 window will open, where you will need to find the item “Folder Options” - “Show hidden folders”.

The exact same “Folder Options” window will open as we could see using the first method. Using the slider, find the “Hidden files and folders” item, check the “Show…” checkbox, save the changes by clicking on “Apply” and then “OK”.

As you can see, it is not difficult to make hidden folders appear in Explorer or Total Commander. All you have to do is choose how exactly you will do it. Good luck!

I believe that the article was useful!