Surely every user personal computer sooner or later faced with such a phenomenon as disappearance some files or folders hard drive or other storage. You can't find them where they are supposed to be.
In such a situation, most ordinary PC users immediately have only one thought - someone deleted the data. However, their sudden loss may be connected not only with this. Often they are just invisible.
Later in the article, we will look at the main ways to show hidden folders and files on the example of the operating system Windows 7(however, this will also work in XP, Vista, 7 and 8). But first, let's talk about why, after all, such situations arise.
File and folder attributes or how data becomes hidden
As you know, any modern operating system has many options for managing files and folders. These are not only the well-known operations for creating, deleting, copying and moving data, but also operations for setting them up. Each file or folder can be assigned a so-called attribute, which is responsible for certain properties of the object. For example, a file can be assigned an attribute such as " Only reading”, and the user will no longer be able to edit it, since the system itself will not allow him to do this.
They also include the attribute - " Hidden". As the name implies, it will make the object invisible. And if the system is not configured to display such objects, the user will not see elements hidden in this way.
Making files or folders invisible is quite simple. To do this, you just need to go to properties desired object and assign it this attribute.
Let's try:
Hence it begs conclusion - Any user can make any element hidden.
But if I did not hide my files and folders and no one else uses my computer, what then?
If in your case any elements from the disk disappeared on their own, then the answer is obvious - virus programs worked.
Unfortunately, manage attributes files can not only users, but also any programs. There are many different virus programs on the network that, once they get into the system, can do whatever they want with its settings and data stored on the disk. If in your case such viruses have hidden some of your folders or files, then do not be discouraged - they are still can I return.
There are many ways to open hidden folders in Windows 7. Let's consider the simplest of them.
Setting up the system
Each operating system (including all Windows versions from XP and even earlier to the 10th) has internal settings that are responsible for displaying any data stored on the disk and any other media. So, to make files and folders visible, you need to do the following:
This method is suitable if files and folders hidden on your computer had only the " Hidden". Usually when they work viruses, they additionally make objects systemic, which it will still be impossible to see even if you turn on their view in this way. To detect such files, in the menu " Folders settings"you need to additionally uncheck the box" Hide protected system files ", as it shown on the picture:
If you try to uncheck this item, the system will issue a warning that this is not recommended. It's okay - just agree.
Unfortunately, and it doesn't always help, because some viruses can easily change system settings immediately after the user tries to enable or disable certain OS settings. In such cases, programs that can "see" hidden objects come to the rescue. One of these is Total Commander . it file manager, very similar in functionality to the standard " Windows Explorer ».
Using Total Commander
Finding this program online is not difficult. Although it is paid, it can be used for free for a while - this is more than enough to see all the hidden folders or files in the system.
Download to get started Total Commander and install the application. After launching it, you will see a window divided into two panels - they display the folders and files on the disk.
Initially, the program does not allow you to view hidden elements- You must enable this feature. To do this, open the menu Configuration” (at the top of the window), and then click on the item “ Setting...».
It remains to find the item " Panel content". We go into it and put a tick on " Show hidden files " and " Show system files", then click Apply. Now the program will see hidden objects.
AT operating system(OS) Windows, there are so-called hidden folders and files that are not displayed among the public folders and files either on the computer's hard drive or on various media (flash drives, external drives etc.). However, it happens that the user needs to access them. How to open hidden folders in Windows OS? Consider several cases: with Windows XP, Windows 7, as well as a universal method with program Total Commander is a great PC resource manager.
How to open hidden folders XP
This is done in two ways: through Windows Explorer and through the Control Panel. In the first case, double-click the left mouse button on "My Computer" (usually this shortcut is on the desktop) or press Win + E at the same time. Now in top menu select the "Tools" item, and there - "Folder Options". In the window that opens, select "View" and find the item "Show hidden folders and files" there. Click "Apply" and then "OK". In the second case, open the "Start" menu (on the desktop in the lower left corner) and go to the "Control Panel", where and select the "Folder Options" section. Next, find the same items as in the first menu: "View" - "Show hidden ..." - "Apply" - "OK". That's all - now you will be shown hidden folders. I note that they will be displayed as translucent icons so that they can be distinguished from public ones. Usually these are system files and you can change and delete them only if you know exactly what you are doing - otherwise some programs, or even the entire system, may stop starting, be sure to take this into account. Well, now let's talk about Windows 7, open hidden folders, which is also not difficult, since the procedure is about the same, so we will describe only some of the differences.
How to open hidden folders in Windows 7
In the "Seven" in the "Control Panel" there is a corresponding section called "Folder Options", and the item in the "Folder Options" - "Show hidden folders, files and drives." If you want to do the same through Explorer, then the top menu in Win 7 is not available by default, so you need to press Alt to enable it. Now click "Tools", then "Folder Options", well, then everything is as usual. Well, as promised, a few words about Total Commander.
We open access through Total Commander
Run this program and select "Configuration" in the top menu, and there - "Settings". In the left part of the window, find the "Panel Contents" item, by clicking on it with the left mouse button, in the right panel you will see a list of options. In the upper block, find the item "Display files" and check the box next to "Show hidden / system files", then click "Apply" and "OK". That's the whole simple procedure. Just remember that hidden folders and files must be handled very carefully. By the way, if you want to hide some information from prying eyes, you should not use this method, it is better to archive the data and protect it with a strong password, and the way to hide folders is rather just for convenience.
"Hidden folders" are those that the user cannot normally see. Some of them are hidden by default, as they contain system files, the removal of which can disrupt the entire system. Sometimes folders become invisible due to a virus, and then important files may not be viewable. In any case, if you need to see the contents of a hidden folder, you must first find it. This article is designed to make your search easier.
We remove covers
So, how to show hidden folders? This is easy to do, even if you are new to working on a computer. We will show you two ways.
The first, and easiest, is to use the control panel (located in the Start menu). In this case, you will use the standard system tools. You need:
You can also use the Total Commander program (this is a file manager, one of the most convenient and functional, and is also available for free download). Then your actions are as follows:
Now you can easily find out what is contained in invisible (until now) folders.
Just remember that hidden files in Windows 7 are usually system-critical components that need to be handled very carefully. Accidental deletion may result in the need to reinstall the system. So it's better not to go there unless absolutely necessary.
Return trip
But it may also happen that you do not need to see the hidden elements, but, on the contrary, make them unavailable for viewing, for example, in the office. However, it is not worth hiding personal information on a work computer in this way: after all, managers are not fools, but for system administrator opening the hidden problems will not be at all. But in order not to show something to children who are still poorly versed in computers, this method is quite suitable.
If you are interested in how, then you should do the following:
- Select on the computer the item you want to hide
- Click on it right click mouse, then left - on "Properties"
- In "Attributes" check the box next to "Hidden"
- Click "Apply" and OK
You can see that the goal has been reached by refreshing the window. Now even the search will not find your information (unless, of course, the display of hidden elements is enabled).
Hidden files and folders are hidden folders and files, i.e. they are there, but they are not visible with normal settings. This is done on purpose so that the user cannot delete them (damage the system), because. this is mainly system data and you should not delete it if you do not know what it is used for.
They look a little lighter than regular folders.
But sometimes it becomes necessary to open hidden files and folders:
- Yours and hid all the folders on it. After the shortcuts to the "real" directories disappear (the virus is removed). You can view them by displaying hidden files.
- The Trojan has infected your computer, in particular, it has changed the data in hosts (c:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) and you, classmates, etc. popular sites.
You can open hidden folders and files with two simple ways, through "My Computer" or the program "Total Commander". Choose to your taste.
The procedure in Windows 7 through "My Computer":
The procedure in Windows XP through "My Computer":
The process is the same as in, the only thing at first instead of "Folder and Search Options", select "Tools" in the menu, then "Folder Options".
Procedure in Windows 7 / XP through "Total Commander":
It's much easier and more convenient, but who cares. So, download, install, run the program and view. TC is set to view hidden folders by default.
Be careful with system hidden files and folders! Don't damage the system. After the done actions, I recommend returning the data display to the standard settings.
In this section, I will share with you information on how to open hidden folders and how to work with them if necessary. First, let's figure out why such folders even exist. It's all about safety. After all, if you change or even rename the files in such a folder (not to mention deleting them), then the program assigned to them may malfunction or stop working altogether.
Therefore, the Windows system makes invisible for the safe and smooth operation of some programs and systems.
What do hidden files and folders look like?
Users can also hide their data in hidden folders, although this method is not the most reliable. What to do if the folder is not a system folder and you need to get to it? This will be discussed below.
How to open hidden folders
I will tell you how to open hidden folders in Windows XP.
There are two ways to do this.
Method number 1. Use Control Panel.
- In the Folder Options window that opens, click the View tab.
- In the list Additional options(section "Hidden files and folders") check the box "Show hidden files and folders" by clicking once.
- Next, click on the bottom: Apply - OK.
Method number 2. Use Windows Explorer.
- On the desktop, open the "My Computer" icon by double-clicking on it.
- In the window that appears, select "Tools" in the Menu bar. And then Folder Options.
- Then proceed as indicated in the previous method, starting from point 2.
What is the difference between working with hidden folders in Windows 7?
- if you work through Explorer, then the menu bar is not displayed here. To enable it, press the Alt key on your keyboard.
- the section in the Control Panel "Folder Options" is called "Folder Options".
- the item "Show hidden files and folders" here sounds like "Show hidden files, folders and drives."
Otherwise, activities in the operating room Windows system 7 are the same as Windows XP. For advanced users, there is another way to display hidden folders using any file manager. I'll show you how to do it with Total Commander.
- Launch Total Commander.
- In the top menu bar, select: Configuration - Settings.
- A new window has opened in front of you, which is divided into two halves. On the left is a list of configurations that can be configured. Find the item "Panel Content" and click on it once. A list of options will appear on the right.
- In the upper block "Display files" find " Show hidden / system files"And check it.
- At the end, select: Apply - OK.
Today I shared with you some ways to open hidden folders, but do not forget that inexperienced work with them may cause some programs and applications to fail. All the best!
With Uv. Evgeny Kryzhanovsky