How to find an invisible folder. Search for hidden elements using standard OS tools

Useful tips

On every computer under Windows control there are so-called “ hidden folders" They are not visible on the user's screen various reasons, however correct settings will help you display them so you can make appropriate changes. Next, we will describe in detail all the nuances of working with hidden folders.

How to enable hidden folders on Windows?

You should keep in mind the fact that some files on the computer are hidden from the user for good reason. As a rule, such folders are stored critically important information necessary for work specific programs or operating system generally. Under no circumstances should they be deleted, which is why the developers “hid” the files in such a cunning way.

Make them visible (we'll put them in Windows example 7, but on other versions everything is done by analogy) quite simply:

Open “Computer” through “Start” or a shortcut in the left top corner, on the taskbar we find the “Organize” button (in Russian localization “Arrange”), click on the “Folder and search” item, a new “Folders option” window will open.
Go to the “View” tab and in the “Advanced settings” window, among various settings, in the “Hidden files” subsection, check the checkbox with the inscription “Show hidden files”.
Click “Ok”, look at the desired folder and check the result - the files should be displayed as translucent labels.
If there is a need to cancel the changes, simply move the checkbox up one line and save the changes again, the system folders and files will disappear from the screen.

How to see hidden folders in Windows 10?

Since “ten” has changed its interface by default (it can be returned to the classic one, but we will talk about displaying in a “tablet”, tiled appearance), it is worth mentioning separately the settings for hidden files.

To show them, click on the “Start” button, find the “Explorer” item, and a new window opens.
At the top, in the taskbar, we find the “View” menu, a little lower and to the right, next to “Current view”, check the box next to “Hidden elements”.
An alternative option is to press the Win+Q key combination to open a search. In it, enter “Explorer Options” and open the corresponding window. Then everything happens in the same way as described in the first paragraph - on the “View” tab we find the appropriate item for displaying files and folders.

Showing hidden folders in Windows Vista

If you still can’t part with this version of the operating system, let’s say a few words about what differences in the settings there are. IN classic look they repeat point 1, in the form “ Home page” from the Control Panel you will need to go to “Appearance and Personalization”, click on the link “Show hidden Files and Folders”. If necessary, the user can make a file or folder invisible independently, at any time modern Windows. Just click right click icon, go to its properties and check the “Hide” box.

Seeing hidden folders is useful not only for changing settings. Sometimes they contain viruses that deliberately hide information from the user. If you find one of these suspicious folders, do not rush to delete it, first carefully analyze the contents.

By default, in any version of Windows, the ability to see hidden files. This is necessary so that inexperienced “dummies” do not accidentally delete anything and disrupt the operation of the OS. The solution is quite logical, since these folders are rarely needed. And even then - only to a few users. But sometimes there is a need to look at hidden files.

For example, during Windows optimization and waste cleaning. Many programs ( Microsoft Word, Skype) create hidden files during operation. Over time, they become unnecessary, but are stored on disk and take up extra space.

Very often gamers need to enable hidden folders and files. After all, they are where saves from many games are stored.

Also, displaying hidden files is required by users who want to hide documents on a flash drive, but do not yet know how to find them later. In general, there are a lot of reasons.

Let me immediately note that in different Windows versions This setting is done in different ways. Although some methods may be the same. Therefore, below are several instructions on how to enable hidden files in all Windows - “seven”, “eight”, “ten” and XP. Plus given universal method, running on all OS.

If you need to disable their display, then in the same window, check the box “Do not show...”.

Second way:

Go to Start, open Control Panel and click on the Folder Options shortcut.
Select the “View” section, scroll the slider down and activate the “Show...” item.
Save your changes by clicking Apply.

And the third way:

Open any folder you like.
Click the Alt button and a menu like this will appear.
Click Tools – Folder Options.
A familiar window will open: to enable showing hidden files, go to the “View” tab and check the “Show...” checkbox.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. Choose any method that suits you best and use it at the right time.

When you enable viewing of hidden files in Windows 7 using any of the methods described above, they will be visible everywhere. Including on a flash drive. You just need to connect it to your PC or laptop - and you will see the hidden folders (provided that they are there). The same applies to an external HDD.

We've sorted out the "seven", now let's move on to the "eight".

How to enable hidden files in Windows 8?

There are also 3 options to choose from. The first two are described above in the instructions for Windows 7. That is, you can enable hidden files in Windows 8 by writing control command folders. Or by selecting the “Folder Options” shortcut in the Control Panel.

But there is another way to show hidden files in Windows 8:

Open any folder you like.
Select the "View" section.
Click on “Show or hide”, and then check the “Hidden elements” checkbox.

Ready. And not only in the current folder, but also in others. The same methods will help display hidden files on a flash drive or external HDD disk– you just need to connect them to your computer or laptop.

The last method, which works on Windows 8, is also suitable for the “ten”

To enable hidden files in Windows 10:

Open any folder.
Select the "View" section.
Check the "Hidden Elements" box.

After this you will be able to see hidden folders and documents in any section hard drive or on a flash drive (it must be connected to the PC).

If you want to hide the folders again, uncheck this box.

There is also another way to enable the display of hidden files in Windows 10:

Ready. Now you can open any hidden files on Windows 10. As you can see, the methods on different versions of the OS are quite similar, but differ in minor nuances.

Not many users use Piggy today, but we’ll still consider it. You can view hidden files in XP like this:

That's it - now you can open or delete hidden folders and documents.

If you don’t want to understand the differences between different versions of Windows, you can use the universal method

IN in this case you just need to install the file Total manager Commander (download link). The program sees hidden documents and works on all Windows.

How to see hidden files in Total Commander? To do this you need to do the following:

Now all folders and documents in Total Commander will be visible. And you don’t even have to go to the Windows settings and change folder display options.

Need to see hidden documents? Launch Total Commander and go to the desired hard section disk. Or connect the USB flash drive and then open it through this file manager.

As you can see, all ingenious is simple. Now you know how to show hidden files and make them visible. And if necessary, you can easily find them. My only advice: if you find any unfamiliar folders, do not delete them. After all, they may contain important system files, the removal of which will break Windows.

To save confidential information PC users often use the hiding function. In the settings of folders (files) an attribute is set that hides them from prying eyes. If option , 7, 8 is enabled, then invisible objects will become visible and they will have a pale tint.

On someone else's computer, you will probably want to search for classified information, for example, find out where personal photos or videos are located, secret documents and other interesting information. In the instructions, we'll see how to find a hidden folder on a computer in Windows 7, (10, 8) via standard means OS (on the desktop and in Explorer), specialized software.

Search for hidden elements using standard OS tools

To search for hidden folders (files) in Windows, you must enable their display. For eight and ten, follow these steps:

For seven, do this:

Note: The Folder Options window is also available in Windows 10, 8. In Explorer, click Options on the View tab.

Open File Explorer, if required, go to required section hard drive (for example, drive C) or the desired directory, since the search works where you are. To find hidden files and folders in Windows, place your cursor in the search area. Enter part or all of the name and wait until the search ends. Windows 10, 8 has a lot of filters: size, type, modification date, and others.

Windows 7 also has a set of filters, but it is more limited: modification date, size. In addition to entering the name, you can use a construction like: *.docx or similar. This way you will find all Microsoft Word office files. The logic should be clear. Pay attention only to pale elements.

Finding hidden objects through programs

Exist special programs for searching and processing invisible directories and files. These applications include: Find Hidden, Hidden File Finder, which we will consider below.

Find Hidden is a portable, free software that allows you to quickly find hidden folders (as well as files) on your Windows computer. Follow these steps:

Download the program. Extract from the archive.
Run executable file, wait. Accept license agreement by pressing ACCEPT.
IN setting up System Tools, select the type of elements you are looking for, these are regular objects and system protected ones.
Specify the search location (for example, drive C). Choose what to find: files (Hidden Files Only) or folders (Hidden Directories Only). If the Hidden Files Only search mode is selected, you can specify a specific extension, size, and date (created, modified, opened). In Hidden Directories Only search mode, you can set the date. After setting the parameters, click on Search.
The program will start searching for invisible Windows elements. You will see how many objects have been scanned and how many invisible ones have been found. A list of folders (files) with their descriptions will appear in the window. After a complete scan of the directory, you can perform various operations with hidden files and folders by right-clicking: view properties, location, change attributes, and more.
Hidden File Finder is free program For quick scan and detecting all invisible objects in Windows system. To find hidden folders (files) in Windows, follow these steps:
These are the ways you can find a hidden folder on your computer in Windows 10 (7, 8) or the desired file. First the method will work, if you know what you are looking for, and the second one gives full list all invisible elements, which makes it easier to find the information you need.

Sometimes, when setting up a system, you need to have access to hidden system folders, which are hidden from inexperienced users. Namely, they hide them so that they are not accidentally deleted or moved, because this could affect the operation of the system.

But every day they appear various viruses, which can hide your files and folders that you can only see in by enabling the display of hidden folders and files. But removing viruses is not the only situation in which you will need to open access to display such folders. Just recently, I described solutions to a problem where it was necessary to copy a file to a folder that was system and was invisible to the average user.

Of course, it’s better not to go into these folders, but sometimes you can’t do without it, so now you’ll find out how to open hidden folders and files.

How to open hidden folders in Windows XP

Let's start with Windows XP. Open " Start" and click on " Control Panel».

The way we will open invisible files we will need to go to " Folder properties»

Also, you can use alternative way folder settings. To do this, go to any window and top menu select " Properties» –> « Folder properties».

In any case, the settings window will open. Here we go to the tab “ View" and in the additional parameters go down to the very bottom to the item " Hidden files and folders" We note “ Show hidden files and folders" and click " Apply».

In some cases, even after setting to show hidden folders, some still remain inaccessible. To display them, you can use one more item in the settings: “ Hide protected system files s". Simply by unchecking the box and saving, some more folders will appear that are considered system, perhaps among them there will be the folder that you needed. But, I want to warn you right away, if you come across some unfamiliar folder, do not write to delete it, perhaps it is one of the system ones that is needed for proper operation OS or applications.

How to show hidden folders in Windows 7

In Windows 7, to enter folder settings, also go to “Control Panel” and then “Folder Options”

To enter the settings through the window of any folder, click on “Arrange”, and then select “Folder and Search Options”.

In the window itself, check “Show hidden files, folders and drives” and save the settings.

How to show hidden folders in Windows 8

In the new Windows 8 OS, go to any folder, click on “View”, then select “Options” and then “Change folder and search options”.

In the folder settings menu, as in the examples described above, we simply mark the same item as on other OSes, and then click “OK”

I repeat once again, you will come across a hidden folder with a name unknown to you, you should not delete it, and after finishing working with hidden files, do not forget to return everything back, this is done in the same order, just check the box, do not show hidden files and folders. You may also be interested in the article about setting up extensions for registered file types.

Let's look at how to hide a folder in Windows 7 and 10, as well as find hidden materials and view their contents.

Hiding files and folders in the operating system is reliable way conceal important information or protect it from accidental damage or deletion.

The function is useful in the following cases:

Several users use the same computer at once;
You need to temporarily hide information on your PC;
You don't want to clutter your desktop with shortcuts.

Hiding a folder on a Windows computer

Developers from Microsoft have provided the ability to hide . This function is primarily necessary to prevent users from deleting important system files and libraries.

Can configure the display of hidden folders and files. There are also third-party applications to work with this function.

Method 1 – Standard Explorer

The essence of the first method is to use the standard Windows Explorer. Its settings provide the ability to manually select what information can be displayed in the system and what information should be hidden from the eyes of other users.

Follow the instructions for Windows 7, 10:

Go to the Computer Control Panel;
Select the view type “Large icons”;
In the list, find the “Explorer Options” field and open it;

In the new window, go to the “View” tab;
The Advanced Options area displays all the options for displaying File Explorer menus and folders and files in the operating system. Scroll down the list to the “Hidden folders and files” option;
Check "Do not show..." and save the settings.

After File Explorer settings, you can check required folders like hidden. To do this, follow these steps:

Create a folder on your desktop or in another directory and fill it the necessary files, which will be the hidden contents of the folder;
Right-click on the object and select “Properties” from the action options;
In the “General” tab, check the “Hidden” attribute and save the settings.

If the system does not prohibit display hidden elements, users will see important system files, temporary documents open source software and files that have been manually identified as hidden. The icons for these folders and shortcuts will be dimmer than usual, so they can be easily identified among other data.

The method described above will help hide hidden folders in Windows 10. The instructions for Windows 7 will be similar, since the Explorer settings interface is identical in both versions of the OS.

Method 2 – Free Hide Folder Utility

For more convenient interaction with hidden elements, it is better to use special programs. Free Hide Folder is one such utility. It is free and compatible with all versions of Windows.

Let's take a closer look at how to work with hidden files and folders in Windows with using Hide Folder. The program interface is very simple, but is presented only in English.

Follow the instructions to hide the directory:

Open the program window and click on the “Add” button;
An explorer window will appear in which you need to select a folder to hide;
After this, the path to the directory will be displayed in the main application window. In the list form you will see all the folders that are currently hidden;
To remove a folder, find its name in the program, right-click on this field and select “Unhide Folder” in the list of actions.

Other features:

Creating a backup of the contents of hidden folders;
Ability to set a password for a directory;
Using strong encryption algorithms that make it as difficult as possible for content hidden on your computer to be hacked.

Method 3 – Transparent folder

Hidden folders in Windows 7, 10 can be created not only by changing the properties of files and directories. One of the most simple methods- this is a setting appearance folder, causing it to become invisible.

Follow the instructions:

Determine which folder you want to hide and right-click on it;
Select "Properties";

In a new window, open the “Settings” tab;
Click on “Change icon”;

Next, a list will appear with a preview of all the icons that are available in the system. Among them there are also invisible ones. Find one of them and set it as the folder image;
Save your changes.

You must enter special invisible characters as the directory name. They appear when pressed simultaneously Alt keys combinations of numbers 255. The final view of the folder is shown in the figure below. As you can see, it can be selected, but during normal interaction with the desktop it is not visible.

The disadvantages of this method are that Explorer still displays the directory, even though it does not have an icon or name. Also, another user may discover the folder if they decide to select all the items on the desktop or in another directory at the same time.

Method 4 – How to hide a folder in a picture

Another method of hiding folders is radically different from all those described above. It implies the use basic techniques Steganography is the science of classifying the very fact that secret data exists.

If you have a folder with secret files, and you don't want anyone else to see it, you can do the following:

Archive the directory - ZIP or RAR formats are suitable;
Next, select any image and place it along with the created archive in a new folder;

Next, open a command prompt. This can be done by simultaneously pressing the WinR buttons and entering the CMD command;

In the command prompt window that opens, run the folder using the command cd c:\MySecrets\;
Next, enter the command COPY /B image.jpg + MySecrets.rar SecImage.jpg, where IMAGE is the initial image you selected, MySecrets is the archive, SecImage is the new final image in which the information will be hidden;
To execute the command, press Enter.

After repeating the above steps, you can test the result of the work. Open the final file SecImage.jpg - you will see the first image you selected. At the same time, if you open this document using an archiver or changing the resolution from JPEG to RAR, you will still have access to the archive and be able to view the contents.

The advantage of this method is that a potential attacker is unlikely to realize that the system uses this method of hiding information. In addition, it is very difficult to identify exactly which picture the archive is hidden in, while all other methods are quite easy to deactivate.

Finding hidden elements

If you want to check if there are hidden objects on your computer that other users have created, you can use the built-in OS features to find the hidden folder or file.

Activating showing hidden folders

The easiest way to show hidden folders in Windows is to use the Explorer settings window already mentioned above. Open File Explorer Options and additional settings check the “Show hidden folders” box:

How to find an invisible folder

To find invisible folder on the desktop, press the keyboard shortcut CtrlA. This will allow you to select all the elements and find out if there are invisible objects in the system. You can search for folders in Explorer in the same way.

Hidden folders on a flash drive

After connecting the flash drive to the computer, it becomes part of the operating system Explorer, so its contents will be affected by everything installed in Windows settings. To open hidden folders in Windows on a flash drive, just change Extra options Explorer to “Show hidden files”, as already described above.

You can only secure the contents of a flash drive using programs that set a password on a USB drive:

TrueCrypt is a free program for encrypting the entire contents of a flash drive, the volume of which is more than 2GB;
Rohos Mini Drive – the ability to encrypt not the entire flash drive, but only individual directories or files;
MyFolder – protects content on flash drives and OS root folders.

Bottom line

Now you know about everyone possible ways, how to hide a folder in Windows or how to find and open it. If you have not encountered setting up invisible folders before, we recommend that you first use standard parameters conductor.

For users who need to constantly hide information, we recommend working with the Free Hide Folder utility or hiding the directory in a picture. This increases the chances that the information will remain confidential, even if someone deliberately tries to find the folder.