Easy Steps To Display Hidden Files on Windows 10 – OrcaCore

This article aims to guide you through the process of understanding How To Display Hidden Files on Windows 10. Furthermore, you will learn How To Unhide Folders on Windows 10. A hidden file is essentially a file with its hidden attribute enabled, making it invisible to users during typical file browsing or listing operations.

Hidden files often serve as storage locations for user preferences or to maintain the operational state of various utilities. They are commonly created by system or application utilities. Follow the step-by-step instructions provided below on the Orcacore website to successfully view hidden files on Windows 10.

To effectively follow this guide, ensure you are logged into your Windows Client and adhere to the instructions provided below.

Method 1. Show Hidden Files on Windows 10

The simplest method to reveal hidden files is through the File Explorer. Navigate to the View tab and activate the Hidden Items checkbox.

Alternatively, click File and then Change folder and search options.

This action will open the Folder Options window. Select the View tab and enable the option to Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Then, click the Apply and OK buttons.

Method 2. View Hidden Files From CMD on Windows 10

For users comfortable with the command-line interface, you can easily open a command prompt shell and execute the following command:

dir /a:h

This command will display hidden files within the current directory. To view hidden files in a different folder, specify the path, for example:

dir /a:h C:Windows

The above command will show only the hidden files and folders within the C:Windows directory. To view all files, including hidden ones, run the dir command as follows:

dir /a C:Windows

Also, you can refer to the Essential CMD Commands for more information about CMD.

How To Unhide Folders on Windows 10?

To unhide a folder, right-click the file or folder you intend to unhide, then click Properties. Uncheck the Hidden checkbox and click OK.

Unhide a Folder from CMD

You can also unhide folders using the ATTRIB CMD command. The following example demonstrates how it works:

attrib -h "C:ProgramData"

In the above example, we used ATTRIB to unhide a folder named ProgramData located in the C drive. Use the ATTRIB command with +h to hide files and folders from the command prompt.

Alternative Methods to Display Hidden Files on Windows 10

While the File Explorer and CMD methods are common, here are two alternative approaches to display hidden files on Windows 10:

1. Using PowerShell:

PowerShell offers a more powerful and flexible way to manage files and folders, including displaying hidden items.

• Explanation: PowerShell uses cmdlets (command-lets) to perform actions. The Get-ChildItem cmdlet retrieves the items in a specified location. The -Force parameter is what makes the hidden files visible in the output. Without the -Force parameter, Get-ChildItem behaves like File Explorer with the "Hidden items" option unchecked.

• Example: To view hidden files in the C:Windows directory, open PowerShell and run the following command:

Get-ChildItem -Path C:Windows -Force

This command will list all files and folders in the C:Windows directory, including those that are hidden.

• Code Example:

  # Get hidden files in a specific directory
  $hiddenFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path "C:YourDirectory" -Force | Where-Object {$_.Attributes -match "Hidden"}
  
  # Display the names of the hidden files
  foreach ($file in $hiddenFiles) {
      Write-Host "Hidden File: $($file.Name)"
  }

  This code snippet provides a more advanced way to find and display only the names of the hidden files within a directory. It first retrieves all items (including hidden ones) using Get-ChildItem with the -Force parameter. Then, it uses Where-Object to filter the results, selecting only those items whose attributes match "Hidden". Finally, it iterates through the filtered results and displays the name of each hidden file. Change C:YourDirectory to the directory you wish to explore.

2. Using a Third-Party File Manager:

Several third-party file managers offer advanced features and customization options, including the ability to easily display hidden files.

• Explanation: These file managers often provide a more user-friendly interface and additional features compared to the default File Explorer. Many have dedicated options or buttons to toggle the visibility of hidden files and folders. Examples include Total Commander, FreeCommander, and Directory Opus. These tools frequently have dual-pane views, advanced filtering, and batch renaming capabilities, which can be beneficial when working with a large number of files.

• Example: Install a file manager like Total Commander. Navigate to the desired directory. In Total Commander, go to Configuration -> Options -> Display. Check the "Show hidden/system files" option. The hidden files will now be visible in the file list.

• Considerations: When choosing a third-party file manager, consider factors such as the user interface, features, price (some are free, others are paid), and security. Ensure the software is from a reputable source to avoid malware.

Conclusion

At this point, you have learned to display, show, or view Hidden Files on Windows 10. Also, you will learn How To Unhide Folders on Windows 10. Hidden files in Windows 10 are system or user files that are not visible by default to prevent accidental modification or deletion. They often include system configuration files, program data, and temporary files essential for system stability and operation. The ability to display hidden files on Windows 10 provides valuable insights into the system’s configuration and operation.

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