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How to Show Hidden Files in Windows 7

Windows 7 hides important folders and files in order to keep users from modifying or deleting their files and subsequently damaging their systems. Windows 7 does not show hidden files by default. For example, the pagefile.sys file is a...

Author: Kareem Winters3 minutes read
Table of Contents
Method 1 of 4:

Showing Hidden Files in Windows 7 Using Folder Options

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    Click on the Windows 7 Start button.
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    Click on Control Panel. You can also click the Start button and then type 'folder options' in the search box. Select 'Folder Options' in Control Panel from the resulting list.
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    Click on 'Appearance and Personalization.'
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    Click 'Folder Options.'
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    Click on the View tab in the Folder Options window.
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    Click 'Show hidden files, folders, and drives' in 'Advanced settings' and click 'OK.'
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    Choose the 'Show hidden files, folders, and drives' radio button in the 'Hidden files and folders' category.
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    Click 'OK' at the bottom of the Folder Options window.
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    Close the Control Panel window. You should now be able to view all files and folders as well as drives hidden in Windows 7.
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    Test this by navigating to the C: drive. Look for a program named 'ProgramData.' If you can see this, you are now able to view hidden files and folders.
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    Notice that the icons for hidden files and folders are grayed out. This is how you can differentiate between hidden and unhidden files.
Method 2 of 4:

Showing Protected Operating System Files

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    Click on the Windows 7 Start button.
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    Click on Control Panel.
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    Click on 'Appearance and Personalization.'
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    Click 'Folder Options.'
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    Click 'View.'
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    Click 'Show hidden files, folders, and drives' in 'Advanced settings' and click 'OK.'
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    Click 'Apply.'
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    Uncheck the 'Hide protected operating system files' box.
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    See a dialog box asking if you are sure that you want to do this.
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    Click 'Yes.'
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    Click 'OK.'
Method 3 of 4:

Showing Hidden Files using the Registry Editor

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    Click the Start button.
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    Type 'regedit' in the search box and press enter.
    1. You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do these steps.
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    Click 'Yes' if prompted to confirm you are an administrator.
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    Find this key In regedit: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced.
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    Go to the right side of the Advanced window, where the values can be seen.
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    Find the value 'Hidden.'
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    Right click it and change it to 1.
Method 4 of 4:

Showing Protected Operating System Files Using Registry Editor

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    Click the Start button.
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    Type 'regedit' in the search box and press enter.
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    Click 'Yes' if prompted to confirm you are an administrator.
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    Find this key In regedit: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced.
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    Go to the right side of the Advanced window, where the values are seen.
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    Right click on 'Super Hidden ' and click on Modify.
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    Type 1.
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    Click 'OK.'

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