Windows 7 hides important folders and files to prevent users from modifying or deleting files and thus damaging their system. Windows 7, by default, does not show hidden files. For example, the pagefile.sys file is a commonly hidden file - if an application is using too much memory, Windows uses this file to free up some memory. However, sometimes you may need to have access to hidden files and folders. A virus or spyware may be in these files, making it difficult to find and delete them later.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Method 1: Using "Folder Options"
Step 1. Click the Windows 7 Start button
Step 2. Click Control Panel
You can also click the Start button and, in the search box, type "folder options". In the list that appears, select "Folder Options" in Control Panel.
Step 3. Click "Appearance and Personalization"
Step 4. Check "Folder Options"
Step 5. In the Folder Options window, click the View tab
Step 6. Click "Show hidden files, folders and drives" and then "OK"
Step 7. Choose the "Show hidden files, folders and drives" radio button in the "Hidden files and folders" category
Step 8. Click "OK" at the bottom of the Folder Options window
Step 9. Close the Control Panel
You should now be able to view all hidden files, folders and drives in Windows 7.
Step 10. Verify by going to C:
drive. Look for a program called "ProgramData". If you can see it, then you are able to view hidden files and folders.
Step 11. Note that the icons for hidden files and folders are grayed out
This is to distinguish hidden files from those that are not.
Method 2 of 4: Method 2: Show Protected System Files
Step 1. Click the Windows 7 "Start" button
Step 2. Click "Control Panel"
Step 3. Click "Appearance and Personalization"
Step 4. Click "Folder Options"
Step 5. Click "View"
Step 6. Click "Show hidden folders, files and drives" and click "OK"
Step 7. Click "Apply"
Step 8. Uncheck the "Hide protected system files" box
Step 9. Read the dialog box asking if you are sure you want to do this
Step 10. Click "Yes"
Step 11. Click "OK"
Method 3 of 4: Method 3: Using Registry Editor
Step 1. Click the Start button
Step 2. Type "regedit" in the search box and hit enter
To be able to do this you must be logged in as an administrator
Step 3. Click "Yes" if asked to confirm that you are the administrator
Step 4. Find this key in "regedit":
HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Explorer / Advanced.
Step 5. Go to the right of the Advanced window, where you can see the values
Step 6. Find the "Hidden" value
Step 7. Right click the mouse and change it to 1
Method 4 of 4: Method 4: Show Protected System Files using Registry Editor
Step 1. Click the "Start" button
Step 2. Type "regedit" in the search box and hit enter
Step 3. Click "Yes", if you are asked to confirm that you are the administrator
Step 4. Find this key in "regedit":
HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Explorer / Advanced.
Step 5. Go to the right of the Advanced window, where you can see the values
Step 6. Right click on “ShowSuperHidden” and click "Edit"
Step 7. Type 1
Step 8. Click "OK"
Advice
- If you don't want to see these files anymore, you can always hide them again, by repeating this procedure and changing the values or the checked boxes as they were originally.
- While it is possible to hide private files, this is not a good way to ensure security or privacy. Instead, you can use "Permissions" for a certain file to have the desired security.
