Reveal Hidden files In All Versions of Windows

Sometimes certain programs and processed can hide files from you. This is done for a variety of reasons – to name a few:

1. Core Windows files are often hidden to prevent you from accidentally deleting them.
2. Certain programs hide some of their work files with a similar agenda.
3. Some people want to hide the files themselves for whatever reason.

Unfortunately sometimes Spyware, Malware or other type of malicious application may also try to use this benign Windows function against you. Learning how to uncover these hidden files may be necessary for the removal of the virus and Microsoft has made a few changes in the process of how this is done over the years. You’ll find the complete list of how to uncover hidden files for all versions of Windows in our guide below. Good luck with the virus hunting!

Windows 95

Follow these steps to reveal all hidden files.

1. Exit all programs and go to your desktop.
   
2. Open My Computer icon.
3. Go to the View menu and  click Options.
4. When the new window appears select View tab.
5. Scroll down until you see the Show all files radio button and select it.
6. Click on the OK button and close the whole My Computer window.
   
7. Done!

Windows 98

Follow these steps to reveal all hidden files.

1. Exit all programs so you are at your desktop.
2. Open the My Computer icon.
3. Select the View menu > Folder Options.
4. When the new window appears pick the View tab.
5. Scroll down until you see the Show all files radio button and select it.
6. Press Apply and then OK and close My Computer window.
   
7. Finished!

Windows ME

Follow these steps to reveal all hidden files.

1. Go to your desktop.
2. Open My Computer.
3. Go to the Tools menu and select Folder Options.
4. A new window will appear – select the View tab.
5. Under the Hidden files and folders section select the  button named Show hidden files and folders.
6. Press Apply, then OK and close My Computer.
7. Ready!

Windows NT

To be able to see Hidden files and folders follow these instructions:

1. Go to your Desktop (by closing all programs and windows).
2. Double-click on My Computer.
3. Select the View menu and then click on Options.
4. You’ll see a new window appearing – press on the View tab.
5. Scroll down to the Show all files button and check it.
   
6. Press OK and close My Computer.
7. Its done!.

Windows 2000

To disable Hidden files option follow these instructions:

1. Go to your Dekstop by shutting down all programs and windows.
   
2. Go to My Computer and double click it.
   
3. Look for the Tools menu and select it, then go after Folder Options.
4. A new window will appear – select the View tab.
5. There will be a sub-section labelled Hidden files and folders – under it tick the Show hidden files and folders line.
   
6. Press Apply, then OK and close this window.
7. You hidden files and folders are now visible.
   

Windows XP and Windows 2003

To be able to see hidden files and folders do the following:

1. Go to your desktop by minimizing or closing all windows.
   
2. Double-click on the My Computer icon to open it.
   
3. Look for the Tools menu and inside it click on Folder Options.
4. In the new window that appears select the View tab.
5. Put a check in the box next to Display the contents of system folders.
6. Under the Hidden files and folders section also check the box next to the Show hidden files and folders line.
   
7. Press Apply and after that OK. Then close this window.
8. Your computer is now configured to show you all hidden system files and folders.
   

Windows Vista

1. Go to your Dekstop by closing or minimizing all open.
   
2. Click on the Start button. You’ll find it in the lower-left corner of your screen and it has the Windows logo on it.
   
3. Look for the Control Panel menu option and click on it.
   
4. When the control panel opens you’ll either be in Classic View or Control Panel Home view depending on your options: If you are in the Classic View do the following:
   1. Open the Folder Options icon by double-clicking it.
      
   2. Select the View tab.
   3. Go to step 5.

   If you are in the Control Panel Home view do the following:

   1. Click on the Appearance and Personalization link .
   2. Click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
   3. Go to step 5.
       
5. Directly under the Hidden files and folders section click on the button next to Show hidden files and folders.
6. Press Apply and then OK. You can now close this window.
   
7. You’ve successfully considered Windows Vista to show you all hidden files and folders.
   

Windows 7

1. Go to your desktop by clicking at the small rectangle located in the lower-right part of your screen.
   
2. Open your start Start menu. This is done by clicking on your Windows start button located in the lower left side of your screen. It carries the windows logo.
   
3. Look for the Control Panel menu option in the right-most row and open it.
4. After the Control Panel menu opens look for the “Folder Options” link
5. Click over the view tab
6. Under the Advanced Settings category double click over the Hidden Files or Folders.
7. Select the check-box next to Show hidden files, folders, or drives
8. Press Apply, then OK and close this menu.
9. Windows 7 should be now configured to show you all hidden items.

Windows 8

1. From the Windows 8 Start Screen, click on the Control Panel app.
2. After the Control Panel opens scroll down to the More Settings option.
3. A more traditional looking Windows 8 Control Panel will now open. When it is done, click on the Appearance and Personalization link.
4. Look for Show Hidden Files or Folders under the Folder Options category, click on it.
   
5. Under the Hidden files and folders section tick the button next to Show hidden files, folders, or drives.
6. Press Apply and then OK.
   
7. Done!

Windows 10

1. Open any folder on your computer. 
2. Look at the upper-left part of the screen. You’ll see File, Home, Share and View tabs there. Click on the View tab.
3. Now look to the right. You will see a line and a box labeled Hidden items. Click on it so that the box is ticked.
   
4. Done! You’ll now be able to see hidden files and folders throughout your PC.
5. (Optional) Click on the Hidden items box again to re-hide all files once you are done.