This tutorial will show you how to hide or show hidden files, folders, and drives and protected operating system files for your account in Windows 11.
Hidden files, folders, and drives do not show by default in Windows.
Hidden files, folders, and drives are marked with the hidden attribute.
Protected operating system files are marked with the hidden and system attributes.
When you set to show hidden files, folders, and drives and protected operating system files, their icons will appear dimmed (faded) to indicate that they are hidden items.
If you turn on Show all folders in the navigation pane, then hidden folders will show in the navigation pane even if you set Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives in this tutorial.
Contents
- Option One: "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" or "Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives" in File Explorer
- Option Two: "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" or "Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives" in Folder Options
- Option Three: Show or "Hide protected operating system files" in Folder Options
- Option Four: "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" or "Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives" using BAT file
- Option Five: Show or "Hide protected operating system files" using BAT file
- Option Six: Turn On or Off Show Hidden and System Files in Settings
EXAMPLE: "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" and "Show protected operating system files" in File Explorer
"Show hidden files, folders, and drives" or "Don't show hidden files, folders, and drives" in File Explorer
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Click/tap on View on the command bar. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Show, and click/tap on Hidden items to check (show) or uncheck (hide - default) for what you want.
"Show hidden files, folders, and drives" or "Don't show hidden files, folders, and drives" in Folder Options
1 Open Folder Options.
2 Click/tap on the View tab. (see screenshot below)
3 Select (dot) Show hidden files, folders, and drives or Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives (default) under "Hidden files and folders" for what you want.
4 Click/tap on OK.
It is required to Show hidden files, folders, and drives to show protected operating system files.
This option is no longer available starting with Windows 11 build 23481 (Dev).
You can still use the other options.
1 Open Folder Options.
2 Click/tap on the View tab. (see left screenshot below)
3 Check (hide - default ) or uncheck (show) Hide protected operating system files for what you want. (see left screenshot below)
4 If you unchecked Hide protected operating system files, click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see right screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on OK. (see left screenshot below)
"Show hidden files, folders, and drives" or "Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives" using BAT file
1 Do step 2 (show) or step 3 (hide) below for what you would like to do.
2. "Show hidden files, folders, and drives"
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Show_hidden_files_folders_and_drives.bat
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V Hidden /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe 3. "Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives"
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Don't_show_hidden_files_folders_and_drives.bat
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V Hidden /T REG_DWORD /D 0 /F
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe4 Save the .bat file to your desktop.
5 unblock the .bat file.
6 Double click/tap on the .bat file to run it.
7 You will now notice your screen flicker as the explorer process is restarted to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded .bat file if you like.
1 Do step 2 (show) or step 3 (hide) below for what you would like to do.
2. Show protected operating system files
This will also "Show hidden files, folders, and drives".
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Show_protected_operating_system_files.bat
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V Hidden /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V ShowSuperHidden /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe 3. Hide protected operating system files
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Hide_protected_operating_system_files.bat
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /V ShowSuperHidden /T REG_DWORD /D 0 /F
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe4 Save the .bat file to your desktop.
5 unblock the .bat file.
6 Double click/tap on the .bat file to run it.
7 You will now notice your screen flicker as the explorer process is restarted to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded .bat file if you like.
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Privacy & security on the left side, and click/tap on For developers on the right side. (see screenshot below)
Starting with Windows 11 version 22H2 KB5030310 Build 22621.2361, For developers is now in Settings > System.
3 Click/tap on File Explorer to expand it open. (see screenshot below step 4)
4 Turn On or Off (default) Show hidden and system files for what you want. (see screenshot below)
Hidden files = Toggle "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" or "Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives".
System files = Toggle to show or hide protected operating system files if previously set to show in Option Three or Option Five:.
5 You can now close Settings if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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