An illustration of a revealed, previously-hidden folder in Windows 11.

Windows eleven handles subconscious files and folders nearly identically to versions of Windows that came before it: with special file flags. Showing these subconscious files in File Explorer is like shooting fish in a barrel. Hither's how.

First, launch File Explorer past opening Start and searching for "File Explorer," or by clicking the File Explorer icon in your taskbar if it's pinned in that location.

When File Explorer opens, click the ellipses (three dots) push in the toolbar near the peak of the window. In the menu that appears, select "Options."

In the Windows 11 File Explorer, click the ellipses (three dots) button and select "Options."

In the "Folder Options" window that opens, click the "View" tab.

In Folder Options, click the "View" tab.

In the "Advanced Settings" list, locate the "Hidden Files and Folders" choice. Using the radio buttons, select "Prove hidden files, folders, and drives." So click "OK" at the bottom of the window.

Select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" and click "OK."

Hidden files and folders will instantly get visible in File Explorer and on your desktop. When you come across them, their icons volition accept a slightly translucent or faded appearance.

When made visible, hidden folders will have a translucent or faded appearance in Windows 11.

If you want to hide them over again later, use "Options" in File Explorer to open up Binder Options again, click "View," select "Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives," and click "OK."

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How to Show Protected Operating Arrangement Files in Windows 11

In Windows, there's another blazon of hidden file: a system file, which is hidden and protected by default to keep your operating system working properly. If you'd like to see this blazon of hidden file, open up File Explorer, click the "three dots" button in the toolbar, then select "Options."

In the Folder Options window, click the "View" tab, and then scroll down in the "Advanced Settings" list and uncheck "Hibernate protected operating arrangement files (Recommended)."

Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)."

Every bit soon as you lot click the check box, a new dialog window will open that warns you lot nearly the dangers of revealing protected operating arrangement files.

Alert: Yous are virtually to reveal sensitive operating system files. If you move or delete hidden system files, it could break your Windows 11 installation or potentially crusade data loss. So continue with extreme caution.

If yous know what you're doing and are willing to accept the risks, click "Yes."

When warned about revealing protected operating system files, click "Yes."

So shut the Binder Options window by pressing "OK." Every bit with the hidden files revealed in the department higher up, protected operating system files will appear translucent on your desktop and in File Explorer.

When you're done with your task, it's usually a adept idea to hibernate your protected operating arrangement files once more. To practice that, open Folder Options as shown higher up, click the "View" tab, then place a checkmark beside "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" and click "OK." Good luck!

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