How to Hide and Unhide Files and Folders in Windows 11

How to Hide or Unhide Files Using File Properties

1. Find the file(s) you want to hide or unhide.
2. Right-click the file and choose Properties.
3. In the General tab, look for the checkbox labeled Hidden.
4. To hide the file, check the box. To unhide, uncheck it.
5. Click OK to save.

How to Hide or Unhide Folders Using File Properties

1. Find the folder(s) you want to hide or unhide.
2. Right-click the folder and select Properties.
3. In the General tab, check or uncheck the Hidden box.
4. Click OK. If the folder has files inside, you’ll see options:

   • Apply changes to this folder only – Only the folder itself will be hidden/unhidden.
   • Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files – Everything inside will be hidden/unhidden.
5. Choose what you want and click OK.

Properties menus offer another direct route for folder management. Right-clicking a target directory brings up the required access panel. Marking the Hidden box inside the General tab tucks the folder away, while clearing the mark reverses the action. Clicking OK saves the configuration.

How to Hide or Unhide Files Using Commands

Command-line environments like Windows Terminal or Command Prompt offer a faster batch method for modifying files. Opening either utility provides the interface needed for text-based modifications. Typing the ‘attrib +h’ command followed by the file’s full path hides the target, while ‘attrib -h’ brings it back. Pressing Enter executes the instruction.

1. Open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt. You can search for it in the Start menu.
2. Type the command below and press Enter.

To hide a file:

attrib +h "full_path_to_file"

To unhide a file:

attrib -s -h "full_path_to_file"

Example:

attrib +h "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\secret.txt"
attrib -s -h "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\secret.txt"

How to Hide or Unhide Folders Using Commands

1. Open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt.
2. Type the command and press Enter.

Hide or unhide only the folder:

Hide:

attrib +h "full_path_to_folder"

Unhide:

attrib -s -h "full_path_to_folder"

Hide or unhide the folder and everything inside it (subfolders and files):

Modifying entire directories alongside their contents requires specific command-line switches. Hiding a directory tree relies on 'attrib +h "full_path_to_folder*" /s /d'. Reversing this state uses 'attrib -s -h "full_path_to_folder*" /s /d'. Swapping the placeholder text points the utility at the correct directory.

attrib +h "full_path_to_folder" | attrib +h "full_path_to_folder*" /s /d

Unhide:

attrib -s -h "full_path_to_folder" | attrib -s -h "full_path_to_folder*" /s /d

Example:

attrib +h "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\MyFolder" | attrib +h "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\MyFolder*" /s /d
attrib -s -h "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\MyFolder" | attrib -s -h "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\MyFolder*" /s /d

How to Show Hidden Files and Folders in File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer (press Windows + E).
2. Click the View menu at the top.
3. Hover over Show and click Hidden items.

Hidden files and folders will now appear, though their icons will look faded.

To hide them again, uncheck Hidden items.

Summary

• Hidden files and folders don’t show up by default to keep things tidy.
• You can hide or unhide files and folders easily from their Properties or by using commands.
• When visible, hidden items appear a bit faded in File Explorer.
• Using commands is faster if you want to hide/unhide many files or folders at once.

Windows 11 conceals specific directories by default to maintain a tidy File Explorer. Item properties menus or command-line utilities provide reliable ways to toggle visibility states. Once revealed, concealed content displays with a translucent icon overlay.

More help and info: Microsoft Support: Show hidden files and folders