How to Show Hidden Files on Windows 11: 2 Quick Ways

Some files are hidden from view by default, for safety reasons

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Hidden Files and Folder Option in Windows 11

To view hidden folders and Files in Windows 11, open File Explorer (Win + E) and selectย Viewย >ย Showย >ย Hidden items. Yes, it’s that easy but you can find additional solutions below.

How can I view Hidden Folders and Files in Windows 11?

1. Use the Show Hidden Files, Folders and Drives Option

1. From your desktop taskbar, press on theย File Explorer iconย to open it.

open file explorer taskbar

2. To access more File Explorer options, click on theย three horizontal dots, then selectย Options.

options file explorer

3. Select theย Viewย tab, then search forย Hidden files and folders, and expand it.

show hidden files setting

4. At this point, you have to uncheck theย Donโ€™t show hidden files, folders or drivesย section, then tickย Show Hidden Files, Folders and Drives.

toggle to view hidden files and folders windows 11

5. Click onย Apply, then onย OK, and exit the window.

confirm changes

You can easily show hidden files and folders on your Windows 11 device via File Explorer. You just need to take advantage of File Explorer’s settings and let the Show Hidden Files, Folders and Drives Option do its magic.

As you can see, this is an easy-to-apply procedure that you should try if you want to view Hidden Folders and Files in Windows 11.

Note icon NOTE
By applying the steps above, you can easily view the Hidden Files and Folders Option. However, let us remind you that besides the regular hidden items, your OS also includes Protected Operating System Files.

2. Uncheck the Hide Protected Operating System Files option

  1. Open File Explorer Options, following the first two steps listed in the previous method.file explorer options
  2. Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) Option.recommended option
  3. Click on Apply, then on OK, and exit.

As previously revealed, when you show Hidden Folders and Files, Windows will continue to hide Protected Operating System Files. You may easily recognize them since they include the system attribute.

Deleting or modifying such files could have a huge impact on your system. Apply the above procedure if you need to access them for a good reason and precisely as given or else you risk damaging your OS.

Can I hide back the Unhidden Folders and Files?

To easily do so, just access File Explorer advanced options as you learned from this article, then checkmark back Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drivers.

This will definitely fulfill your needs if you change your mind after unhiding them. It is the same process as presented in the first solution, except for the final steps.

folder options hide files and folders

So, you’ve seen how simple is to view Hidden Folders and Files in Windows 11. In addition, to refresh your knowledge about the new OS design, feel free to check out a full Windows 11 22000.65 build review.

Therefore, if File Explorer is crashing, don’t hesitate to check out our easy fixes and get things back to normal in no time.

Learn how to show hidden files in Windows 10 by checking out our dedicated article.

For any other thoughts or questions, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the section below. We’d love to hear your opinion regarding this procedure, in particular, and the OS that’s in the spotlight these days.

More about the topics: folder, Windows 11