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This tip is about the how To find the Hidden Files & Folders On Windows 11. So read this free guide, How To find the Hidden Files & Folders On Windows 11 step by step. If you have query related to same article you may contact us.
How To find the Hidden Files & Folders On Windows 11 – Guide
Windows 11 has arrived and has brought with it some major changes to the operating system’s user interface. As you might think, this makes completing the things you’re used to a little more challenging. Especially since some features, like the Windows 11 option to hide some files and folders by default and the ability to expose them by default, remain.
There are several reasons why you might want to look into hidden files and folders. Whether you’re hiding these products from prying eyes, putting them out to hide on your own. Alternatively, you can simply try to find out what the system has hidden from you on your own. For example, to see if there are any Android application files hidden there.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place if you want to see hidden items like files and folders in Windows 11. That’s exactly what guide aims to address.
Now there are actually two main ways to show hidden files in Windows 11. However, whichever method you use, this will be a relatively easy process. And everything will be easier if you’ve used Windows before. Even if you haven’t used Windows 11. And of course the first step is to start File Explorer by following one of the steps below.
- The first method we’ll cover for starting File Explorer will be the easiest for most users. On Windows 11, by default, File Explorer is pinned to the taskbar. So the first method is to simply tap – for touchscreens – or click on the File Explorer icon. This is the file folder icon located in the center – by default – of the taskbar. As shown in the first image below
- For those who don’t see File Explorer on their taskbar by default, or for those who have removed it, you can also find File Explorer by tapping first or clicking the four-square Windows 11 Start icon. Or press the Windows key on your keyboard. So, there are two methods to find the File Explorer. The first will be to use the search bar located at the top of the resulting UI to type in the words “File Explorer” and click on the appropriate icon.
- On the other hand, you can also choose to tap or click the Windows 11 Start icon or use the Windows key as detailed in step two here, and then tap or click the “All apps” option. From there, scroll down to find the File Explorer
There are also two methods to show hidden items in File Explorer once it’s open. The first is relatively simple.
- Locate the “View” menu at the top of the UI in the File Explorer as shown in the screenshots below. Tap or click this icon
- Mouse over the “Show” option located at the bottom of the resulting menu. You can also tap the option if you are using a touch screen
- Click or tap on the “Hidden Items” option
- File Explorer will now show all folders or files being hidden
Of course, you can also accomplish the same task by diving a little deeper into the menu. And conversely, you can apply the change to all folders as well.
- In the File Explorer app, tap or click on the three-dot floating menu icon as shown in the images below
- Select “Options”, located at the bottom of the corresponding menu
- Tap or click “View” located near the top of the UI Folder Options window
- Under “Advanced Settings”, tap or click the radial button next to the “Show hidden files, folders and drives” option. It can be found in the “Hidden Files and Folders” directory within the “Files and Folders” directory of the advanced settings. As shown in the images below
- Now, you can click or tap “Apply” button or the “OK” button at the bottom of the Folder Options UI. Selecting “OK” will close the options, while selecting “Apply” will apply the options, keeping the menu open
- On the other hand, selecting “Apply to folders” at the top of the page will apply the change to all folders of a certain type. This should apply the change to all default folders, in our example
- File Explorer will now show all hidden items
- To reverse the change, simply select the “Do not show hidden files, folders or drives” radial button option and use the same method as before to apply the change. Or select the “Reset Folders” option at the top of the UI. Note that using the Reset option will also undo any other changes made to the View segment of the Folder Options menu
You can push this change without going to the trouble of opening the File Explorer app too
Of course, you can also access the folder options UI mentioned above, without ever opening the File Explorer.
- Tap or click the Windows icon on the taskbar
- Using the search bar, search for “File Explorer”
- Instead of opening the “Application”, located under the “Best Match” subheading, tap or click on the “File Explorer Options” option under the “Settings” subheading
- Follow steps three through seven of the final segment above to change the hidden items option
Final note
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