If you want to see hidden files and folders, Windows 10 offers many ways to complete this task using File Explorer, Command Prompt, and even PowerShell. This guide will teach you the easy steps to show hidden items on Windows 10.

Show hidden files on Windows 10 Show hidden files with Command Prompt on Windows 10 Show hidden files with PowerShell on Windows 10

Show hidden files on Windows 10

To show hidden files in File Explorer on Windows 10, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, File Explorer will show the hidden and unhidden items, but it’ll continue to hide other protected files. 

Show hidden protected operating system files

To see hidden protected operating system files on Windows 10, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, you will now be able to see hidden files and protected Windows 10 files within File Explorer.

Show hidden files with Command Prompt on Windows 10

To display hidden files and folders while in Command Prompt, use these steps: When working with the dir command, you can display hidden content in several ways using the following switches:

/a – only shows hidden folders. /a:d – only shows all directories. /a:h – only shows all hidden files. /adh – shows a combination of the options above.

After you complete the steps, the command will allow you to see hidden files and folders while in Command Prompt without changing the File Explorer settings.

Show hidden files with PowerShell on Windows 10

You can also see a list of hidden and protected operating system files with PowerShell with these steps: Once you complete the steps, the command will show hidden files and folders, but it will not change the folder options in File Explorer.

This guide focuses on Windows 10, but this feature has been available for a long time, so the steps will also work on Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and older versions. All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.


title: “How To Show Hidden Files On Windows 10” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-05” author: “Marisol Humphries”


If you want to see hidden files and folders, Windows 10 offers many ways to complete this task using File Explorer, Command Prompt, and even PowerShell. This guide will teach you the easy steps to show hidden items on Windows 10.

Show hidden files on Windows 10 Show hidden files with Command Prompt on Windows 10 Show hidden files with PowerShell on Windows 10

Show hidden files on Windows 10

To show hidden files in File Explorer on Windows 10, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, File Explorer will show the hidden and unhidden items, but it’ll continue to hide other protected files. 

Show hidden protected operating system files

To see hidden protected operating system files on Windows 10, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, you will now be able to see hidden files and protected Windows 10 files within File Explorer.

Show hidden files with Command Prompt on Windows 10

To display hidden files and folders while in Command Prompt, use these steps: When working with the dir command, you can display hidden content in several ways using the following switches:

/a – only shows hidden folders. /a:d – only shows all directories. /a:h – only shows all hidden files. /adh – shows a combination of the options above.

After you complete the steps, the command will allow you to see hidden files and folders while in Command Prompt without changing the File Explorer settings.

Show hidden files with PowerShell on Windows 10

You can also see a list of hidden and protected operating system files with PowerShell with these steps: Once you complete the steps, the command will show hidden files and folders, but it will not change the folder options in File Explorer.

This guide focuses on Windows 10, but this feature has been available for a long time, so the steps will also work on Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and older versions. All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.