To show hidden files in Windows 11, open File Explorer, select View > Show > Hidden items, and hidden files and folders appear immediately with faded icons. To also see protected operating system files, untick Hide protected operating system files in Folder Options. Both changes are reversible in a couple of clicks.
| What you want to see | Quickest method |
|---|---|
| Hidden files and folders (such as AppData) | File Explorer > View > Show > Hidden items |
| Protected operating system files | Folder Options > View tab > untick Hide protected operating system files |
| File extensions (.exe, .pdf, .txt) | File Explorer > View > Show > File name extensions |
| All of the above from Settings | Settings > System > Advanced > File Explorer |
| Hidden files from the command line |
dir /a:h in Command Prompt or Get-ChildItem -Force in PowerShell |
How do you show hidden files in Windows 11 File Explorer?
Open File Explorer with Windows key + E, select View on the command bar, point to Show, then click Hidden items so a tick appears next to it. Hidden files and folders now appear in every folder, with slightly transparent icons so you can tell them apart from normal items.
- Press Windows key + E or click the folder icon on the taskbar.
- Select View in the command bar at the top.
- Hover over Show.
- Click Hidden items. A tick confirms it is on.
The setting applies to all folders, not just the one you have open. To hide them again, repeat the steps and click Hidden items to remove the tick. Microsoft documents the same path in its guide to viewing hidden files.
What is the difference between hidden files and protected system files?
Hidden files simply have the Hidden attribute set, usually so everyday users are not distracted by app settings and caches. Protected operating system files carry both the Hidden and System attributes and stay invisible even when Hidden items is on. Windows conceals them because deleting or editing them can stop the PC starting.
Examples of ordinary hidden items are the AppData folder in your user profile and the ProgramData folder on the C: drive. Examples of protected files include pagefile.sys, hiberfil.sys and the $Recycle.Bin folder at the root of each drive.
Cause and effect: because protected files stay hidden after you turn on Hidden items, people sometimes assume the setting has not worked. If you are looking for something like pagefile.sys, you need the Folder Options change in the next section as well.
How do you show protected operating system files?
Open Folder Options from File Explorer, switch to the View tab, untick Hide protected operating system files (Recommended), confirm the warning with Yes, then click OK. Protected files then appear alongside other hidden items. Turn the option back on once you have finished.
- In File Explorer, select the See more button (three dots) on the command bar.
- Choose Options to open Folder Options.
- Select the View tab.
- Under Advanced settings, make sure Show hidden files, folders, and drives is selected.
- Untick Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
- Select Yes on the warning, then OK.
What we commonly see: people turn this on to delete a large file such as hiberfil.sys by hand. That is not the right approach; Windows manages these files itself, and the safe way to remove the hibernation file is to turn hibernation off with powercfg /hibernate off in an admin terminal rather than deleting it in Explorer.
How do you show file extensions in Windows 11?
In File Explorer, select View > Show > File name extensions. Windows then displays the full name of every file, such as report.pdf or setup.exe, instead of just report or setup. This is one of the most useful safety settings you can turn on.
Extensions matter because they tell you what a file really is. A file called invoice.pdf.exe looks like invoice.pdf when extensions are hidden, yet it is a program that runs when opened.
The same option is available in Folder Options as Hide extensions for known file types; untick it to show extensions.
Can you show hidden files from Windows 11 Settings?
Yes. In Windows 11 version 25H2 and later, go to Settings > System > Advanced and expand File Explorer. Turn on Show hidden and system files and, if you like, Show file extensions. On older versions the same options sit under Settings > System > For developers.
Microsoft moved the former For developers options to the Advanced settings page, which also offers Show full path in title bar and Show empty drives. These toggles change the same underlying settings as File Explorer, so use whichever you find easier.
If you are not sure which version you are running, our guide to checking your Windows 11 version explains how to find it in a few seconds.
Advanced nuance: the Settings toggle shows hidden and system files together, which is a broader change than the File Explorer Hidden items option. If you only need AppData, the File Explorer method keeps protected files out of sight.
How do you find the AppData folder in Windows 11?
Press Windows key + R, type %appdata% and press Enter. File Explorer opens C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming directly, even with hidden items switched off. Type %localappdata% instead to open the Local folder, which holds caches and larger app data.
AppData contains three subfolders:
- Roaming – settings that can follow your account, such as app preferences and some browser profiles.
-
Local – data tied to this PC, including caches and temporary files under
Local\Temp. - LocalLow – data for apps running with restricted permissions.
Support guides often ask you to delete a specific folder in AppData to reset an app. Close the app first, and rename the folder (for example, add .old) rather than deleting it, so you can roll back if needed.
How do you show or hide files with the attrib command?
The attrib command sets or clears file attributes from Command Prompt. Use attrib -h "file" to unhide a file and attrib +h "file" to hide one. Add -s to clear the System attribute, and /s /d to apply the change to subfolders and folders as well.
- Open Command Prompt. Use Run as administrator if the files are outside your user folder.
- List hidden items in the current folder with
dir /a:h. - Unhide a file:
attrib -h "D:\Projects\notes.txt" - Unhide a file that is also marked as system:
attrib -h -s "D:\Projects\notes.txt" - Unhide everything in a folder and its subfolders:
attrib -h -s "E:\*.*" /s /d
That last command is the standard fix when a USB drive appears empty but still shows space in use, a common symptom after malware has hidden files. Scan the drive with Microsoft Defender before opening anything on it. Microsoft's attrib reference lists every switch.
In PowerShell, Get-ChildItem -Force lists hidden and system items in the current folder.
How do you hide a file or folder yourself?
Right-click the file or folder, select Properties, tick Hidden under Attributes, and click OK. For a folder, Windows asks whether to apply the change to the folder only or to its subfolders and files too. The item disappears as long as Hidden items is switched off.
Hiding is a way to reduce clutter, not a security measure. Anyone who turns on Hidden items or uses dir /a:h will see the file straight away.
For genuinely private files, use encryption or a password-protected archive instead. Our guide to password protecting a file or folder in Windows 11 covers the options; note that Encrypting File System (EFS) and BitLocker drive management need Windows 11 Pro, which you can add with a Home to Pro upgrade key.
Is it safe to show hidden files in Windows 11?
Showing hidden files is safe in itself; it only changes what File Explorer displays. The risk comes from deleting, moving or editing hidden items you do not recognise, particularly protected system files. Look, but only change what you understand, and switch the options back off when you have finished.
- Do not delete files with names such as
pagefile.sys,hiberfil.sys,swapfile.sysordesktop.ini. - Leave the Windows, System Volume Information and $Recycle.Bin folders alone.
- When clearing space, use Windows' own cleanup tools rather than deleting hidden folders by hand.
Everything in this guide works the same on a genuine Windows 11 Home or Pro installation. If you are setting up a new PC, our Windows 11 Home install and activation guide covers the basics first.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I see AppData even with hidden items on?
AppData sits inside your user folder at C:\Users\YourName, not at the top of the C: drive. Open File Explorer, go to This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Users, then open your account folder. Alternatively, press Windows key + R and type %appdata% to jump straight to the Roaming folder.
Does showing hidden files slow down Windows 11?
No. Showing hidden files only changes which items File Explorer lists, and it has no measurable effect on system performance. Folders with many hidden items may look busier, which is the main reason Windows hides them by default. You can leave the setting on permanently if you regularly work with configuration files.
How do I hide hidden files again?
Open File Explorer, select View > Show and click Hidden items to remove the tick. If you also showed protected system files, open See more > Options > View and tick Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) again. Both changes take effect immediately without a restart.
Why are some icons faded in File Explorer?
Faded or semi-transparent icons mark items with the Hidden attribute. They appear once you switch on Hidden items, so you can tell them apart from normal files. The fading is purely visual; the files work exactly as before, and the icons return to normal if you clear the Hidden attribute in Properties.
Can I show hidden files on a USB drive?
Yes. The File Explorer Hidden items setting applies to every drive, including USB sticks and external disks. If files still seem missing, they may also carry the System attribute; run attrib -h -s "E:\*.*" /s /d in Command Prompt, replacing E: with your USB drive letter.
Related guides
- How to password protect a file or folder in Windows 11
- How to add a folder to PATH in Windows 11
- How to format a USB drive in Windows 11
- How to run SFC and DISM scans to repair Windows 11
Links in this guide
| Link | Type | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Check your Windows 11 version | Internal | Tells you whether you have the Advanced or For developers settings page |
| Password protect a folder | Internal | Real protection for private files, rather than hiding them |
| Home to Pro upgrade key | Internal | Unlocks EFS and BitLocker management on Home PCs |
| Windows 11 Home key | Internal | Genuine licence for a new or rebuilt PC |
| Windows 11 Home install guide | Internal | Setting up and activating Windows 11 Home |
| Microsoft Support: View hidden files and folders | External | Official File Explorer steps |
| Microsoft Learn: Advanced settings | External | Explains the Settings page that replaced For developers |
| Microsoft Learn: attrib command | External | Full syntax for setting and clearing file attributes |