How to Hide and Show Files in Windows 11 Without Software

This practical guide explains how to hide and show files in Windows 11 without software. Follow the steps in order, review the requirements first, and use the troubleshooting notes when a setting or option does not work as expected.

Hide files in Windows 11 from File Explorer

Step 1:

We open File Explorer on the computer, then right-select the file or folder you want to hide and select Properties .

Step 2:

Move to the new folder, select the General tab and look down below, select Hidden to hide this file and select Apply to save the settings.

How to displaying files in File Explorer

Step 1:

In the folder where the hidden file is saved, or the drive containing the folder, click View and select Show > Hidden Items to display hidden files.

Step 2:

Now you will see the hidden file is blurred. Right select the file and select Properties. Then select the General tab, uncheck Hidden and click Apply .

How to hide and show files in Windows 11 using Command Prompt

Step 1:

Type Command Prompt in the search bar and click Run as administrator to open it.

Step 2:

Display the Command Prompt interface, you type attrib +h 'path of the file/folder you want to hide . This will immediately hide your file or folder.

Step 3:

To display the file again, enter the command attrib -s -h 'file path to display'.