1. Forklift 2 Show Hidden Files

Try using third-party file managers to show your hidden files and folders. Apps like Forklift and DCommander can show hidden files in the interface of the apps. You won’t have to use commands or keyboard shortcuts to find your hidden files. Some file manager apps have features like hidden file finder, which can help less tech-savvy users. Select the Start button, then select Control Panel Appearance and Personalization. Select Folder Options, then select the View tab. Under Advanced settings, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and then select OK.

We can show hidden files and folders on Windows 10, 8, or 7 using the options available on GUI File Explorer. However, those who are in a little bit hurry they can use a Keyboard shortcut to make the hidden files visible quickly, and also they can use the same key combination to hide the files and folders again.

Let’s see both the Keyboard shortcut and Graphically using Explorer…

Show or Hide Files & folder on Windows 10 using key shortcut

The below-given steps are applicable for older versions of Windows such as 8 or 7 as well.

1. Open drive or file explorer on Windows 10
2. Go to a place where your hidden files or folders located that you want to show up.
3. Now, without closing the file explorer, press Alt +V – key shortcut combination. This shortcut will automatically select the View tab of the explorer.
4. Once the View tab gets selected, press two times, H key. This will select two options- “File item extensions” and “Hidden item“.
5. Therefore, if the files were hidden, the above keyboard shortcut will show them, and using the same will hide them as well.

In short, simply open File Explorer and press Alt + V and then two times H, H key. In the below-given screenshot, you can get an idea of how to use this shortcut.

Whereas, if you want to use the Graphical user interface, then simply

1. Open File Explorer
2. Click on the View tab given in the File Menu.
3. Go to the Show/hide section.
4. Select box of “Hidden item“
5. If you want to also show the Files extensions, then you can select the “File name extensions” option as well.
6. That’s it.

While in the MS-DOS or the Windows command line, it may be necessary to view hidden files and directories. Navigate to the directory you want to view hidden files or directories and use either the attrib or below dir commands.

Viewing hidden files with dir command

The above command lists all hidden files and hidden directories in the current directory.

Lists all hidden files in the current directory (the one that you are in), but not hidden subdirectories.

Lists all files and directories including hidden files and hidden directories in the current directory.

Viewing hidden files with attrib command

Typing the attrib command alone displays all files in the current directory with their attributes to the left of the directory path and file name. Files that have an 'H' to the left are hidden files.

If too many files are listed, adding '| more' to the end of the attrib command displays all files with attributes one page at a time.

Finally, if you know the file name or file type, adding it with a wild characters displays all files with their attributes. For example, the above command lists any log file (including hidden files) with its attributes.

Additional information

Forklift 2 Show Hidden Files

• See the attrib command and dir command page for further information and help with these commands.