Especially in order to edit some system files, sometimes it is necessary to find and make visible hidden folders the OS itself. Modern operating systems are equipped with special protection against accidental or intentional deletion of 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 in any operating room. Windows system 7 and above.

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, which 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 can harm your operating system. Therefore, you should be careful with these files so as not to render the system inoperable.

The answer to the question: “Why?”

Often hidden folders are system folders. In this case, the manufacturer hides them in order to protect you from losing “vital” programs for your computer and to protect you from further possible non-functionality of the computer. There is also another option: the reason for hiding files and folders may be the owner’s reluctance to get into a situation where any part of his “personality” can be easily detected on the PC. In this case, users resort to hiding folders. Today we will look at information on how to open hidden folders. This is somewhat similar to the situation with telephones. At one time there were Cell phones, where using a password it was possible to protect personal messages from prying eyes. Approximately the same can be done with your laptop or PC.

How to open hidden folders in Windows XP

Due to certain circumstances, there is often a need to search for hidden information. Then, if you are not an IT specialist, the question arises: “How to open hidden folders?” In order to help you, I have prepared information on how to do this on different Windows platforms, namely Windows 7 or Windows XP. First, let's look at Windows XP. Let's try to open them using the control panel. Click “Start”, then go to “Control Panel”, look for the “Folder Options” icon and click on it. Once Properties opens, you should go to the tab called View. Already directly in it we can open all hidden folders. Scroll down the entire list, check the box next to “Show hidden files and folders” and confirm the action with the “Apply” and “OK” buttons. All! To open hidden files faster and easier, you can use the “My Computer” shortcut, which is located on the left side of the desktop. Open it, select “Tools” in the folder menu, then “Folder Options”, “View” and perform the same actions.

The first step is to go to Control Panel using the Start menu. This panel will include the item “Folder Options” (it is located in the first column) - open it. Go to the “View” tab, at the bottom of which there will be a “Hidden files and folders” folder. You also need to check the “Show hidden files, folders and drives” section. Click "OK".

How to open hidden folders using the My Computer pack

We go to this folder and press the magic “Alt” button on the keyboard. After clicking it, you will have an additional line at the top of the folder. In this line, select “Service”, click on “Folder Options”, then “View” and do the same. Another tip: to quickly perform functions, you can press Win + E together. This will help you open “My Computer” easily and quickly. Such combinations make working on the computer much easier and make you feel more confident.

Conclusion

As it turned out, opening hidden folders is quite easy. Moreover, with the help of this information you can not only find hidden information, but also protect your PC from ill-wishers. Now you have become one step more experienced in the field of IT and can easily help your colleagues, friends and acquaintances solve this problem.

Hidden files in windows are updated and used by the system and programs. You can't find them easily. This prevents you from deleting or moving a folder or file that should be where it belongs. If you delete a hidden folder or file, then know this important information for your requirement software and systems to make it work. Knowing how to enable hidden folders in Windows will help you troubleshoot and troubleshoot other problems that may occur on your system. Sometimes you need to open hidden folders and files in Windows in order to clean “Temp” and all sorts of temporary files that get clogged system disk. Not all optimizers with default settings clean your computer of clogged files. Sometimes you need to enable hidden folders and manually clean out folders clogged with temporary files. There are times when you need to hide folders.

How to show hidden folders in windows 10

Open File Explorer, aka This PC. Click the "View" tab and check the "Hidden elements" checkbox. If you don't have the "View" tab, then stretch the window wider and it will appear.

How to show hidden folders in windows 7

Open the "Start" menu, write the word "folders" in the search and click "Show hidden files" in the search results. Click the "View" tab, scroll to the very bottom and "Show hidden files, folders and drives."

How to show hidden folders and files in Windows XP

Open "My Computer", click the "Tools" tab and the "Folder Options" drop-down menu. Next, scroll to the bottom and enable file display.

By default, the ability to see hidden files is disabled in any version of Windows. 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.

Most quick way see hidden files in Windows 7:

Ready. You will now be able to open hidden files on Windows 7 because they have become visible.

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

Second way:

And the third way to enable the display of hidden files in Windows 7:

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

How to view hidden files on a flash drive? Similar. 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?

How do you configure the display of 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:

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

Ready. Now you can see hidden files on Windows 8. And not only in the current folder, but also in others. The same methods will help you display hidden files on a flash drive or external HDD disk – you just need to connect them to your computer or laptop.

Show hidden files in Windows 10

The last method, which works on Windows 8, is also suitable for the “ten”. To enable hidden files in Windows 10:

1. Open any folder.
2. Select the "View" section.
3. 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.

How to show hidden files and folders in Windows XP?

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.

Show hidden files in Total Commander

If you don’t want to understand the differences between different Windows versions, you can use the universal method. IN in this case you just need to install file manager Total 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 required section hard drive. 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.