How to Unhide Folders in Windows 7

Download Article

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: June 4, 2020 Tested

Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to enable viewing for hidden files and folders on a Windows 7 computer.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1326057-v4-728px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Open Start

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/b\/b3\/Windowswindows7_start.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Windowswindows7_start.png\/30px-Windowswindows7_start.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":30,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows 7 icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

. Click the multicolored Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. The Start menu will pop up.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/aid1326057-v4-728px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Click the search bar at the bottom of the Start menu, then type in folder options .

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid1326057-v4-728px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":541,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You'll find this at the top of the Start menu. Clicking it prompts the Folder Options pop-up window to appear.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid1326057-v4-728px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It's at the top of the pop-up window.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid1326057-v4-728px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

If you don't see a list of settings under the "Files and Folders" heading that's in the "Advanced settings" section, double-click the heading to expand it.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid1326057-v4-728px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

6
Check the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" box. This box will appear slightly indented below the "Hidden files and folders" heading near the middle of the section. ^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.
Go to source}
- If you don't see this checkbox under the "Hidden files and folders" heading, first double-click the "Hidden files and folders" heading to prompt it to appear.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid1326057-v4-728px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

7
Show hidden system files if necessary. If you want to be able to see hidden system files, scroll down and uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" box, then click Yes when prompted.
- Doing this will unhide files which, if tampered with, can render your computer impossible to use. Only unhide system files if you know what you're doing.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid1326057-v4-728px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so applies your settings.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-9.jpg\/aid1326057-v4-728px-Unhide-Folders-in-Windows-7-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":552,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This is at the bottom of the window. Clicking it closes the Folder Options window. You can now view hidden folders (and files) on your computer.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

I couldn't disable the hidden option in the general tab of the properties window. Any tips?

Community Answer

Click on File Explorer on the taskbar (make sure all applications are closed), then navigate to View at the top. Check "hidden items".

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 6

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

You can permanently unhide a file or folder by right-clicking the item, clicking Properties , unchecking the "Hidden" box, and clicking OK .

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Hidden files and folders will appear slightly transparent.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Showing hidden files will allow some temporary files, such as the ones created on flash drives or by opening Microsoft Office files, to appear.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

If you choose to show hidden system files, be careful not to move, rename, delete, or otherwise mess with them. If you must edit a system file, back up your computer and then make a copy of the file to edit rather than editing the original.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

[1]

Trustworthy Source

Go to source

Log in

How to Unhide Folders in Windows 7

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories