How to Find Hidden Files in File Explorer
In today’s digital age, it’s not uncommon to encounter hidden files on your computer. These files are often used for system files or to protect sensitive data. However, sometimes you might need to access these hidden files for various reasons. In this article, we will guide you on how to find hidden files in File Explorer on Windows.
1. Enable Hidden Files and Folders
The first step to finding hidden files is to ensure that they are visible in File Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon on the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E.
2. Click on the “View” tab at the top of the window.
3. In the “Show/hide” section, check the box for “Hidden items.” This will make all hidden files and folders visible in File Explorer.
2. Use the Search Function
If you’re looking for a specific hidden file, you can use the search function in File Explorer. Here’s how:
1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the location where you suspect the hidden file might be.
2. Press the “Ctrl + F” keys to open the search bar at the top right corner of the window.
3. Enter the name of the hidden file in the search bar and press “Enter.” File Explorer will search for the file and display it in the search results.
3. Use the Command Prompt
If you’re comfortable using the Command Prompt, you can use it to find hidden files. Here’s how:
1. Press the “Windows key + X” and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list.
2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press “Enter”:
“`
dir /a:h /s
“`
This command will list all hidden files and folders in the current directory and its subdirectories.
4. Use Third-Party Software
If you prefer using third-party software to find hidden files, there are several options available. Some popular ones include:
– CCleaner
– WinDirStat
– TreeSize Free
These tools can help you locate hidden files and even provide additional information about them.
5. Restore Hidden Files
If you’ve previously hidden files and now want to restore them, you can do so by following these steps:
1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the location where the hidden files were stored.
2. Right-click on the folder and select “Properties.”
3. Go to the “Security” tab and click on “Edit.”
4. Select the user account that has permission to view hidden files and check the box for “Full control.”
5. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
By following these steps, you should now be able to find and manage hidden files in File Explorer on your Windows computer.
