How to Show Hidden Files in Linux

This updated guide examines How to Show Hidden Files in Linux and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 2:

Inside the File Manager

1. Open the File Manager.
   • Depending on your desktop environment, the steps for doing this vary.
2. Click the menu button related to View settings.
   • In most File Managers, this is called View.
   • In others, it might be a button with no name. In such a scenario, click to see all of the buttons available.
3. Check the option which says Show Hidden Files from the drop down menu.

Method 2of 2:

From the terminal emulator

1. Open the terminal emulator. Either Ctrl+Alt+t or clicking its icon will do.
2. Navigate to your desired directory using 'cd ' and 'ls'.
   • Use ls to see your directory contents.
   • Use cd [directory_name] to change directories.
3. Type "ls -a" (without quotes) to see all files, hidden and unhidden.