Easy way to make “hidden” files visible in Windows XP

Posted by Vic Laurie
July 23, 2006

Certain files in Windows are given an attribute or property called “hidden”. These are files that Microsoft deems to be too delicate for most people’s eyes and they do not normally appear in folder or Windows Explorer views. If you are a casual PC user, this will make no difference to you. However, there are aspects of computer management that require that you be able to see hidden files. Unless you rampage through file lists indiscriminately deleting and moving things or have a small child using your computer, I think it’s probably safe to make these files visible, at least some of the time.

The setting can be changed in the same place where file extensions can be made visible (Tools-Folder Options-View). Too much trouble? I have a file for you that will make it easy to make hidden files visible. Download here and unzip to anywhere convenient. Right-click and in the context menu that appears, choose “Install”. That’s all there is to it. Press the function key F5 to refresh the view. Want to hide files again? Download this file and use the same procedure.

File management

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