Hidden files visible. How to make a hidden folder visible

The operating system is finely organized. Damage or removal of some of its key elements can lead to problems in functioning or its complete loss. In this regard, vital system files hidden, that is, they are not displayed in Explorer. This way they are protected from possible damage. This is important to consider before making an invisible directory.

Sometimes you need to access hidden data. This need most often arises when infected with viruses. Executive and related parts of the malicious software“love” to masquerade as elements of the system. Many of them are equipped with a hiding function.

In the fight against viral infections On a computer, the ability to view hidden directories is critical. This is why Windows has special settings display documents, changing which you can hide and show Various types data.

Although these features are of a practical nature, some users may also use them to ensure security. confidential information, especially when a particular PC is shared or publicly used.

Such measures are unlikely to save you from a targeted search for information, but the amount of random access to personal information can be reduced to almost zero. There are many other ways you can protect your data. This method is best preferred when the data is not critical, but still confidential. Together with setting a password, these will be sufficient precautions.

How to hide files in Windows

How to create invisible folder? There are many ways to do this. The most commonly used are operating system management tools. You can hide data more securely from command line.

Naturally, the level of commercial security cannot be achieved by such means, but in everyday life such measures are very useful. Disabling the display of a directory or disguising it as graphic document will prevent unwanted accidental access, but this will not help against viruses or targeted attacks.

Everyone ensures the degree of necessary security and confidentiality on their own, but basic skills should not be neglected. Next, we'll look at the main ways to create hidden directories.

Hiding data in Explorer

First, easiest and least reliable way hiding important files or documents is implemented in the operating system settings. A more or less trained user will be able to easily detect information hidden in this way.

But to protect against unprepared users, changing the display parameters in Explorer is very effective. To hide data in this way you will need to do the following:

1. Right click on the hidden object;
2. Item “Properties”;
3. In the properties window, the “Attributes” section;
4. Checkbox “Hidden”;
5. "Apply."

Let's do hidden folder via conductor

As a result of these simple manipulations we get hidden files in Windows 7 and other versions, which will not be visible with the appropriate Windows Explorer settings. Similar operations can be carried out both with entire directories and with individual files.

Note: There is a way to find a hidden folder without changing system settings. To do this, you will need to remember the full path to the required directory, and then enter it into address bar conductor. This method allows you to quickly access hidden directories.

Command line to create a hidden directory

The second method involves using the command line. To open the command line, you will need to open the execution window (Win + R) and type “cmd.exe” in the input field, then press “Enter”. In the console that opens, you must enter the following:

attrib +s +h “Full path to the directory to be hidden”

To remove such a display lock, you will need to enter attrib -s –h and the full path to the directory. It is noteworthy that the location hidden in this way ceases to be displayed in Explorer even after changing system settings. In addition, even if it is detected, changing the attributes in the properties is not available until the lock is removed.

This method provides a higher degree of protection for personal data, since the data hidden using it is not visible even when the display of hidden directories is turned on.

Tactical trick

There is one more good way Securely hide a folder on your computer. Any ignorant user will assume that the file is an image, but in fact it is an archive. You will need an arbitrary image and an archive with hidden files. They need to be placed closer to the root directory (so that the address written on the command line is shorter).

• cd full path to the directory where the files to be manipulated are located;
• copy /b name of the image with the extension /b+name of the archive with the extension name /b of the image in which it will all be hidden with the extension.

The system will ask for confirmation of the destination file replacement, which must be approved.

Note: You should not use spaces in file names; they break the command syntax. In addition, a space must be placed between the names of the second and third files. The first two and the plus sign must be entered without spaces.

The file obtained as a result of such manipulations can be handled in any way you like. It’s unlikely that anyone would think of opening images in an archiver. True, there is no way to reverse the process; if you delete the original archive, then all the data will remain in image format. If you change the extension to .rar or .zip (depending on the source archive), the file will be opened in the appropriate program.

How to hide/show directories and files in Windows

In all versions of the operating system, the same settings window is responsible for the properties of hidden data. Before opening hidden folders, you need to change the settings in it. The fundamental difference is only in the methods of opening it. In all versions of the OS, the mentioned settings window can be called from the “Run” window. You can call it using the combination “Win” + “R” (the “Win” key with the OS icon). In XP there is a separate line for this in “Start”

In the input line you need to type “control folders” and press “Enter”. It is noteworthy that last request is saved in the input line until a new one or until the system is restarted. That is, in this way, subsequent access to the settings window can be achieved by pressing just three keys.

In this version of the operating system, to get to the settings menu, you will need to open any directory. By pressing the “Alt” button, the extra menu. It will have a “Service” section, which is what interests us. In its drop-down menu there is a “Folder Options” item; clicking on it will bring up the options window.

The necessary options are located in the “View” tab. At the very bottom of the list " Extra options" there will be a section "Hidden files and folders". It contains two extremely clear points. A checked checkbox indicates an active option. After selecting the one you need, just click “Apply”, then “OK”. After which you can see hidden folders.

Display options in Windows 7

The following actions and places will help you show hidden files in Windows 7:

• The mentioned Run window;
• Control Panel;
• Conductor;
• Search bar in the Start menu.

You get to the “Control Panel” through “Start”, there is a separate line there. The necessary options are located in the “Design and Personalization” section. Towards the end of the list there will be a category called Folder Options. Click on its name and the required window will appear.

The explorer opens another easy opportunity calling up the settings window for hidden folders in Windows 7. To do this, just click on the “Arrange” button, which is in the right top corner window. In the drop-down menu you will need the “Folder and Search Options” item, which will open the necessary window.

In the seventh version of the operating system there is another way quick access to the folder options settings. It is connected with the fact that part functionality"Run" window was implemented in search bar Start menu.

To open the mentioned window, you will need, in fact, to click on “Start” and enter “folder options” in the search bar and press “Enter”. This feature allows you to access what you need on construction sites in a few seconds.

In terms of calling the folder properties settings panel, Windows 8 is not particularly different from other operating systems. In G8 you can also use the Explorer window, the Control Panel or the Run window. However, there is a nuance to calling the latter. “Run” can be found in the search for applications or in the menu that appears by pressing “Win” + “X”. Subsequently, the program can be pinned to the taskbar.

There is also a way of showing hidden folders, unique to the G8. It will require you to open the directory and top line select the "View" tab. On the right side there will be a “Options” item, clicking on which will bring up the necessary parameters.

Hidden files on flash drive

Hidden files moved from another computer or written to a flash drive may not be displayed even when correct settings conductor. In this case, a little trick will help you detect them.

Opening the flash drive in Windows Explorer, you will need to create a new one Text Document notepad. This feature is available by right-clicking on an empty field of the window. Having opened it, you will need to write the following line:

attrib -s -h -r -a *.* /s /d

Then “Save As”, replacing the extension from “.txt” to “.bat”. The finished file can be renamed as convenient. To identify it, it will be enough to run it from root directory flash drives. A black window will appear for a few moments, like a command line, after which everything hidden objects on the USB drive will become visible.

Problems setting up folder display

Some users experience that the ability to show hidden folders becomes unavailable. Most likely, this is a consequence of exposure to viruses and other malware. This circumstance indicates that the system conductor was affected.

Reinstalling the OS is a drastic measure in such cases. More subtle and less labor-intensive operations will help improve the situation. The first thing you need to do is check your system for viruses. An in-depth analysis with good anti-virus software will probably reveal some nasty stuff. After cleaning the system, you can begin troubleshooting.

Restoring the Folder Options item

Even if the virus is removed, the item will not recover on its own. No antivirus software provides this feature, so you'll have to roll up your sleeves and do it yourself. To do this, you will have to launch the Group Policy Editor.

In “Run” you need to write “gpedit.msc” and press “Enter”. The Group Policy Editor window will open. In the left navigation part you will need to follow the following path: Group Policy=> Politics " Local computer» => Configuration => Administrative Templates => Windows components=> Explorer.

On the right side of the window there will be a line “Remove the “properties” command” from the “Tools” menu; right-clicking will open the properties window. In it you need to select the “Disable (not used)” switch, then the “Apply” and “OK” button.

Then you will need to minimize all windows. This can be done special button located on the right edge of the taskbar or by pressing “Win” + “D”. The desktop will need to be moved. To do this, use the F5 key or the “Update” item in the menu that pops up by right-clicking on the desktop field. To be on the safe side, you can also restart the system.

System registry correction

If the manipulations described above do not have an effect, then you will have to adjust system registry. The virus could delete from it the corresponding entries that are responsible for the “Folder Options” line in the “Tools” menu.

The recovery process is not long. First you need to open “Run” and enter the following into the command line:

%windir%\system32\REG.exe add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer /v NoFolderOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

After copying the line, you need to press “Enter”. After this, all you have to do is restart the computer and that’s it, the display settings are ready again.

Careful reading of the above material will allow you not to experience difficulties in working with hidden directories.

Hello dear readers! What are these files and why hide them, how can you make hidden folders visible in Windows 7? I will tell you more in the article and show you several ways to see hidden, invisible folders in Windows 7. A hidden file or folder is no different from others, except that they are not visible. They can be divided into two groups:

1. Hidden by the Windows system.
2. PC user - specially makes it closed from prying eyes.

The first way to show invisible folders

Let's use a method that is accessible to everyone. Open “Start” - located in the lower left corner, then go to the control panel. As shown in the picture, select “small icons” or large ones, it doesn’t matter and click on “folder options”.

A window will pop up, click on the “View” tab. Scroll the slider to the bottom, and depending on what you need to see, remove the checkmarks from the menu or put them in the desired positions. When the checkboxes are checked in the right order, don’t forget to click “Apply” and then OK.

The second method of displaying “invisible”

If you have the program installed Total commander, you can also view hidden files through it.

We launch the program in top menu select "configuration" and click on "settings".

On the left in the menu, select “panel contents”, check the box “show hidden files” and if you need to see what the system has hidden, check “show system files”, then click “Apply” and Ok.

Both options have been tested and work, so feel free to use them. Which one is more convenient - everyone will decide for themselves. This is where I end. Also go to other sections, look at the articles, maybe you will find something useful for yourself or your computer).

Under hidden documents system means those directories that are not displayed when the computer is running. The purpose of such “secrecy” is to preserve elements important for work that can be accidentally deleted by the user.

This material will tell you how to make hidden folders visible. The methods will be described for the 7th and 10th versions of the Windows operating system.

Types

In this operating system There are two categories of hidden documentation:

• Just hidden elements. Their attribute is set to "Hidden". In this way, you can hide any elements yourself by changing the state in the properties.

Attention! But sometimes, folders and documents containing viruses can be hidden in this way!

• System folders and files. Their properties have the S attribute. This means that they are system elements and their deletion or modification may lead to an error in the operation of the computer. You can only display their contents using the following options.

How to perform the procedure on Windows 7

This type of operating system is quite popular compared to others. Therefore, it would be logical to start with it. So, how can you make hidden folders visible?

• Go to the Start panel and launch File Explorer. Two will appear standard list.
• You need to activate the “Control Panel” line.
• Go to the subsection called “Design and Personalization”.

Attention! To make the search convenient, you need to set the sections to be displayed by category.

• After going inside the personalization settings system, you need to find a paragraph named “Folder Options”.
• Activate display option hidden elements systems. Before you can make hidden folders visible, you need to change a couple of important details.
• After clicking on the line to display hidden elements, the settings window will open. It will be called "Folder Options".
• Now you need to move to the subsection called “View” and in the line about hidden files and folders, allow them to be displayed.

Additional method

Another much simpler option on how to make hidden folders visible in the Windows 7 operating system:

• Open any directory.
• At the top of the window, activate the section called “Arrange”.
• Select the line “Folder and Search Options”.
• As soon as a new window appears, launch the “View” subsection and activate the “Apply to folders” line. Thus, hidden directories can be made visible both in this section and in all others.

How to show hidden folders on Windows 10

Quite a simple way. Allows you to display only part of the hidden documentation.

• You need to launch Explorer through the Start panel.
• Next, you need to go to any directory and activate the “View” tab, on the top line under the window name.

• In the subsection that opens, place a marker in the field next to the “Hidden elements” function.

Additional method

This paragraph will tell you how to make hidden folders visible through the options in Explorer.

• First you need to call up the search bar. This is done using the combination Win keys+Q.

• In the window that appears, you need to enter “Explorer Options”.
• After going to this section, you need to open a tab called “View”.
• Mark the line that allows display of hidden elements.

• It is also recommended to enable the display system directories. To do this, you need to remove the marker before the line responsible for hiding system documentation.
• In the warning that appears, you must confirm your choice.

How to get a hidden folder back

In the event that the folder was hidden by the user and its location was lost, you must:

• Open a window with the directory in which the document is located.
• In the top line, activate the “Arrange” section. In the appeared context menu Click on “Search Options”.
• As soon as the window appears, switch to the tab called “View”. Activate the line to show hidden files and folders.
• Apply changes.

Results

As you may have noticed, displaying hidden files and hiding your own documents in the same way is quite simple. The given algorithms will help not only to find any important components system, but also hide from outside users own documents.

In Windows 10, as in previous Windows operating systems (XP, 7, 8), not all folders are visible to the user; some of them are hidden. This was not done by accident, Windows is hiding it from you system folders, where files important for the operating system are stored so that you don’t accidentally delete them and thereby make your computer inoperable. But there are times when you need to see hidden folders (to remove unnecessary junk, clean your computer from virus activity, etc.). To do this, you need to make these folders visible, this will be discussed in this article. how to make hidden folders visible in Windows 10.

Attention!!! Take the contents of hidden folders seriously, as the operation of your computer/laptop depends on them.

First, let me explain, there are two types of hidden files or folders:

1) Hidden files and folders. These are folders in the properties of which the attribute H - hidden (hidden) is selected. If you wish, you can hide any folder by setting this attribute in the properties of the folder or file. Sometimes viruses can hide from you like this.

2)System files and folders. In the properties of which the S - system attribute has been added. These are files and folders that are critical to the operation of the operating system and simply opening hidden folders will not give you the opportunity to see protected system files.

In this article I will look at two ways to show hidden Windows folders 10:

1) Using the View tab;

2) Using the Explorer Options menu.

How to make hidden folders visible in Windows 10 using the View tab.

This method is extremely simple and will require a minimum of effort and time from you. But it will not allow you to see protected system files, only hidden files and folders. The first thing you need to do is open Explorer or any folder on your computer/laptop.

IN top margin Select the View tab and check the box next to "Hidden elements".

After this, hidden folders will become visible to you. If you want to return everything back, uncheck the box accordingly.

How to see hidden folders in Windows 10 using File Explorer Options.

This method will allow you not only to see hidden folders, but also display protected system folders.

To use this method, press the key combination “Win” + “Q” and enter “Explorer Options” in the search bar.

In the Explorer Options window that opens, go to the View tab. If you want to see:

- hidden folders Windows 10, check the box "Show hidden files, folders and drives";

How to make a hidden folder or file on your computer? Surely, many users have encountered the need to make a hidden folder or hide some file on their computer.

Sometimes you need to hide a folder or file by various reasons. To avoid accidentally deleting important folder or file, especially if other users have access to the computer. Also, a file or folder may be hidden due to sensitive data that is not intended for public viewing.

A situation may just happen when a folder or file needs to be urgently and quickly hidden from strangers, and run special programs you won't have time.

You can make a hidden folder using the operating system itself. You can also use programs specially designed for this; in addition, you can put a password on a folder or file, for example, using an archiver or.

Using Windows operating system tools, you can hide a folder or hide a file, and you can also create an invisible folder. Both methods work equally well in the operating systems Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

How to hide a folder on your computer in Windows

In order to make a hidden folder, you first need to right-click on the folder or file, and then select “Properties” from the context menu. In the “Properties: folder name” window, in the “General” tab, in the “Attributes” section, you will need to check the box next to the “Hidden” item, and then click on the “OK” button.

In order to hide a file, you need to do the same.

Next, the “Confirm attribute changes” window opens. In this window, you will need to select one of the options: “Apply changes only to this folder”, or “To this folder and all subfolders and files”, and then click on the “OK” button.

• “Confirm changes to this folder only” - only this folder will be hidden.
• “To this folder and to all subfolders and files” - not only this folder will be hidden, but its subfolders and files will also be hidden.

By default, the item “To this folder and to all subfolders and files” is activated. In any case, this folder will be hidden and the folders and files in it will not be visible.

After this, the folder or file will become hidden and disappear from view.

How to see hidden folders in Windows

In order to show hidden folders or files in Windows, you need to enable the display of hidden folders and files in the operating system. This can be done from the Control Panel or from any folder. In the folder, you will need to click on the menu button “Arrange” => “Folder and Search Options”.

After this, the “Folder Options” window will open, in which you will need to open the “View” tab, and in the “Advanced options” field, activate the “Show hidden files, folders and drives” item. Then click on the “OK” or “Apply” => “OK” button.

After this, you can see the hidden folders again.

How to make hidden folders visible

After showing hidden folders and files has been enabled on your computer, you can open hidden folders and files to make them visible again.

In order to display hidden folders, you will need to right-click on the hidden file or hidden folder. Such hidden folders or hidden files will appear semi-transparent.

In the “Properties” window, in the “General” tab, you will need to uncheck the box next to “Hidden”, and then click on the “OK” button.

If it was a hidden folder, then in the next window you will need to click on the “OK” button.

Attention! After you finish operations with hidden folders or files, do not forget to re-enable the “Do not show hidden folders, files and drives” option.

How to create an invisible folder

First you will need to create new folder, or use an existing one. Move the folder that you will make invisible from the center to the edge of the monitor screen so that it is not in the working part of the monitor.

In order to make a folder invisible, you need to right-click on it, and then click on the “Rename” context menu item. On your keyboard, press and hold the Alt key, and number pad Enter the numbers “255” one by one. After this, on the “Desktop” you will see a folder without a name. This folder is not hidden yet.

Then the Properties window opens. In this window, in the “Settings” tab, you need to click on the “Change icon...” button.

In the “Change folder icon” window that opens, in the “Select an icon from the following list” field, you will need to find free space with transparent icons, and then click on such a transparent icon. After that, click on the “OK” button in both windows.

The folder disappears from the “Desktop”, this folder has become invisible.

This method has disadvantages. Such an invisible folder will be noticeable when you drag another folder or file over this location, or when highlighting this part of the monitor screen.

The invisible folder can also be seen using Explorer. Open the Desktop folder in Explorer. In this folder, you will see a folder with a transparent icon, which you can open to view the contents of the invisible folder.

How to make an invisible folder a hidden folder

To ensure that an invisible folder is not visible when you hover the mouse over an area of ​​the screen, or in a folder in Explorer, an invisible folder can be made hidden. As a result, the hidden folder will have additional protection from detection.

1. Move your mouse cursor to the location of the invisible folder and right-click.
2. Select "Properties" from the context menu.
3. In the “Properties: folder name” window, in the “General” tab, in the “Attributes” section, check the box next to “Hidden”, and then click on the “OK” button.

An invisible folder will become hidden and will not be highlighted when you hover your mouse over the folder's location on the Desktop.

How to make an invisible folder visible

In the place where the invisible folder is located, right-click on the invisible folder. After this, a context menu will open. In the context menu, click on the “Properties” item.

In the "Properties" window, open the "Settings" tab, and then click on the "Change icon..." button. In the “Change Folder Icon” window, select the folder icon, and then click the “OK” button in both windows.

After this, the invisible folder becomes visible, only it does not yet have a name.

To give a name to a folder, right-click on the folder and select “Rename” from the context menu. Then give this folder a new name.

Conclusions of the article

In the operating room Windows system You can quickly make a hidden folder, and you can also create an invisible folder that will disappear from view. Using a hidden or invisible folder, the user can hide data that is not intended for public viewing.

How to make a hidden folder in Windows (video)