The default setting on a Windows computer is to keep System Files hidden, which protects the system by preventing sensitive system files being accidentally deleted or modified by users.
Similarly, Windows also provides the option to hide regular or non-system files/folders on the computer by using the built-in Hide File/Folder option.
In both cases, the hidden files cannot be seen in their original location and are also prevented from being displayed on the File Explorer screen and in Windows Search results.
Show Hidden Files & Folders in Windows
If required, you can make Windows to show both system and non-system Hidden Files/Folders on your computer by going to the Options Menu in File Explorer.
This results in Hidden Files/Folders on the computer being shown with partially transparent icons on the File Explorer screen, which makes it easy to distinguish them from regular files/folders.
1. Show Non-System Hidden Files & Folders
You can follow the steps below to Show Hidden Non-System Files and Folders on your computer.
1. Open the File Explorer on your computer.
2. On the File Explorer screen, click on 3-dots icon and select Options in the drop-down menu.
Windows 10: Click on View > Options and select Change Folders and Search options in the menu that appears.
3. On Folder Options screen, switch to View tab and select Show hidden files, folders, drives option.
Note: Make sure the Recommended Hide protected operating system files option is selected.
4. Click on Apply and OK to save this change on your computer.
After this, only the protected system files will be hidden and you will be able to see all the non-system files/folders that were previously hidden on your computer.
2. Show Hidden System Files on the Computer
If required for troubleshooting or other purposes, you can Show Hidden System Files on the computer by using the following steps.
1. Open File Explorer > click on 3-dots icon in the top-menu bar and select Options in the drop-down menu.
Windows 10: Click on View > Options and select Change Folders and Search options in the menu that appears.
2. On Folder Options screen, switch to View tab, select Show hidden files, folders, drives option, scroll down a bit further and uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) option.
3. On the warning or confirmation pop-up, click on the Yes button.
4. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes
As you can see in the warning pop-up, deleting or editing system files can have an adverse impact on the performance your computer and it can even result in the system becoming inoperable.
Hence, it is recommended that you go back to the default setting of keeping system files hidden, as soon as you are done with the purpose of Showing System Files on your computer.