How to Show Hidden Files on Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)

Windows 11 hides certain files and folders by default to stop you from accidentally moving or deleting something your system needs. If you need to see them, whether it’s a hidden app data folder, a system file, or a file you suspect got hidden by accident, you can turn visibility on in a few clicks through File Explorer. This guide walks you through every method, including Command Prompt and PowerShell for anyone who prefers typing commands.

Quick steps

1. Open File Explorer and click View on the toolbar.
2. Select Show, then click Hidden items.
3. Hidden files and folders now appear with a slightly faded icon so you can tell them apart from regular files.

Before you start

• Hidden files are usually hidden for a reason, often because they’re system files or configuration files that apps rely on. Avoid deleting or editing anything you don’t recognize.
• Showing hidden items is a File Explorer display setting, not a security permission. It doesn’t change who can access the files, just whether you can see them.
• Some files, like core operating system files, are also marked as “protected operating system files.” These stay hidden even after you turn on Hidden items unless you change a separate setting in Folder Options.
• Any changes you make here apply to your Windows user account’s File Explorer view across all folders.

Show hidden files and folders in File Explorer

This is the fastest method and works for most everyday situations, like finding a hidden folder someone else created or checking for leftover app files.

1. Open File Explorer from the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key and typing “File Explorer.”
2. Click View in the toolbar at the top of the window.
3. Hover over Show in the menu that appears.
4. Click Hidden items to turn it on. A checkmark next to it confirms it’s enabled.
5. Browse to the folder you’re interested in. Hidden files and folders now show up, typically with a dimmed or lighter icon.

To hide them again later, repeat the same steps and click Hidden items to remove the checkmark.

Show hidden files using Folder Options

The Folder Options dialog gives you more control, including the ability to reveal protected system files, which the quick toggle above doesn’t show.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click View on the toolbar, then select Show, and choose Options (or click the small arrow next to Options if it’s visible directly on the toolbar).
3. In the Folder Options window, click the View tab.
4. Under Advanced settings, find Hidden files and folders and select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
5. If you also need to see protected system files, clear the checkbox next to Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). Windows will show a warning, confirm it if you’re sure you need to see these files.
6. Click Apply, then OK.

You can also reach this same dialog through the Control Panel: open Control Panel, go to File Explorer Options (or Folder Options depending on your Control Panel view), and select the View tab to make the same changes.

Show hidden files using Command Prompt

If you’re comfortable with the command line, or File Explorer isn’t cooperating, you can list hidden files directly from Command Prompt.

1. Open Command Prompt. You can search for it from the Start menu.
2. Navigate to the folder you want to check using the cd command, for example cd C:\Users\YourName\Documents.
3. Type dir /a:h and press Enter to list only hidden files and folders in that location.
4. To list all files, including hidden ones, type dir /a instead.
5. If you want to permanently unhide a specific file, use the attrib command, for example attrib -h -s "filename", which removes the hidden and system attributes from that file. Only do this if you’re confident the file is safe to expose.

Show hidden files using PowerShell

PowerShell’s Get-ChildItem cmdlet is useful if you want to list hidden items, search for them, or script the task.

1. Open PowerShell from the Start menu.
2. Navigate to the folder you want using Set-Location, for example Set-Location C:\Users\YourName\Documents.
3. Run Get-ChildItem -Force to list all items in the folder, including hidden and system files. The -Force parameter is what tells PowerShell to include items that are normally hidden from view.
4. To see only hidden items, you can filter the results, for example Get-ChildItem -Force | Where-Object { $_.Attributes -match "Hidden" }.

If it doesn’t work

Hidden items toggle is on, but some files still don’t appear

These are likely protected operating system files. Go back into Folder Options on the View tab and clear the checkbox next to Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). Be careful with these files since they’re hidden by default specifically to protect your system from accidental changes.

Setting reverts after restarting your PC

This can happen if a management policy on a work or school device enforces a specific File Explorer configuration, or if a system repair or update reset your settings. Try reapplying the setting, and if it keeps reverting on a managed device, check with your IT administrator since a group policy may be controlling this.

File Explorer view options are greyed out

If the View tab options are locked, your device may be managed by an organization’s IT policy that restricts changing Explorer settings. In that case, you’ll need to request the change through your IT department rather than adjusting it yourself.

You can see the file but can’t open or edit it

Showing hidden files only changes visibility, not permissions. If you get an access denied message, that’s a separate permissions issue tied to your user account or the file’s security settings, not related to the hidden attribute.

Frequently asked questions

How do I see hidden files on Windows 11 without changing Folder Options?

The quickest way is the View menu in File Explorer. Click View, then Show, then Hidden items. This toggles visibility instantly without opening the full Folder Options dialog.

Why are some files still hidden after I turn on Hidden items?

Windows separates regular hidden files from protected operating system files. You need to turn off the Hide protected operating system files option in the View tab of Folder Options to see those as well.

How do I hide files again after unhiding them?

Go back to View, then Show, and click Hidden items again to remove the checkmark. Any files you didn’t manually change the attributes on will return to being hidden.

Can I unhide just one specific file instead of all hidden files?

Yes. Right-click the file, open its Properties, and clear the Hidden checkbox under the General tab. You can also use the attrib -h command in Command Prompt for the same result.

Does showing hidden files affect OneDrive synced folders?

Turning on hidden items in File Explorer will also reveal any hidden files inside OneDrive folders on your PC, but it doesn’t change your sync settings or OneDrive’s own folder behavior.

Related guides

• How to Activate OneDrive AutoSave
• How to Disable OneDrive on Windows 10 and 11
• How to Remove OneDrive from Your PC

Sources

• Get-ChildItem (Microsoft.PowerShell.Management), PowerShell, Microsoft Learn
• Windows client documentation, Microsoft Learn