How to View Hidden Files in Windows

The Windows operating system automatically hides certain system files for protection from accidental erasure or modification. If files are hidden, users cannot accidentally corrupt them because they cannot see the files. However, viruses, spyware, and other types of malware also use the hidden file system to conceal files that will harm your system. In order to prevent this users are able to disable the hidden file option.

If you own a Windows 95, you can disable the hidden files option through the My Computer window.

*First, double-click the My Computer icon.
*On top of the window is the View button. Click this button and select Options on the dropdown menu that appears.
*On the Options window select the Show all files button located near the bottom of the window.
*Click OK and close the My Computer window.

You can now view hidden files.
The process for viewing hidden files is a bit different for Windows 98.
*Double-click the My Computer icon located on your desktop.
*Click the View button near the top of the window. On the View window, select Folder Options.
*Select the View tab on top of the window. Select the Show all files radio button.
*Press Apply and then OK to close out of the window.

For Windows Me users
*Double-click the My Computer icon located on the desktop the same way Windows 95 or Windows 98 users would.
*Look at the top of the My Computer window and click the Tools button. On the dropdown window that appears, click Folder Options.
*On the Folder Options window, click the View tab. On the Hidden files and folders section, select Show hidden files and folders.
*Uncheck the Hide file extensions for known types and the Hide protected operating system files options.
*Click Apply then OK.

For Windows 2000:
*Double-click the My Computer icon located on the desktop the same way Windows 95 or Windows 98 users would. Look at the top of the My Computer window and click the Tools button.
*On the dropdown window that appears, click Folder Options. On the Folder Options window, click the View tab.
*On the Hidden files and folders section, select Show hidden files and folders. Uncheck the Hide file extensions for known types and the Hide protected operating system files options.
*Click Apply then OK.

For Windows XP
*Double-click the My Computer icon located on the desktop. Look at the top of the My Computer window and click the Tools button.
*On the dropdown window that appears, click Folder Options. On the Folder Options window, click the View tab.
*On the Hidden files and folders section, select Show hidden files and folders. Uncheck the Hide file extensions for known types and the Hide protected operating system files options.
*Click Apply then OK.

For Windows Vista users
*Click Start and then Control Panel.
=> If you are using the Classic view, you will need to double-click the Folder Options icon and select the View tab.
=> If you are using the Control Panel Home view, click the Appearance and Personalization button.
*On the Hidden files and folders section, select Show hidden files and folders.
*Uncheck the Hide file extensions for known types and the Hide protected operating system files options.
*Click Apply then OK.