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 REG file
- Option Five: Show or "Hide protected operating system files" using REG 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.
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 REG file
This option will not work when Administrator protection is turned on.
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.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"Hidden"=dword:00000001 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
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"Hidden"=dword:000000004 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
This option will not work when Administrator protection is turned on.
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.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"Hidden"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"ShowSuperHidden"=dword:00000001 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.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"ShowSuperHidden"=dword:000000004 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Perform an available action below. (see screenshots below)
- Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on For developers on the right side.
- Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Advanced on the right side.
Starting with Windows 11 build 26120.4151 (Beta 24H2) and build 26200.5603 (Dev 24H2), the For developers page has been redesigned as the Advanced page.
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
Last edited:
