Show and Hide Hidden Files in Ubuntu Linux

How to show hidden files in Ubuntu Linux

The File Manager doesn’t display all files in its standard views by default. For example, some files are hidden while others are not.

If you want to see all hidden files in a folder, go to that folder. You can then either click the view options button in the toolbar and select Show Hidden Files, or press the Ctrl + H keyboard shortcut.

To show hidden files, open the File Manager and click the view options button in the toolbar.

Then, pick Show Hidden Files on the context menu, as highlighted below.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + H to show all hidden files.

You will then see all files, both hidden and visible.

How to hide files in Ubuntu Linux

You can also use the File Manager to hide files. When a file is hidden, it’s not displayed by the file manager but remains in its folder.

To hide a file, rename it so it starts with a dot (.).

For example, to hide a file named example.txt, you should rename it to

.example.txt

The file will then become hidden in the File Manager’s standard view within its folder.

That should do it!

To wrap up:

• Showing hidden files in Ubuntu Linux is a simple process that can be done through the view options button or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+H.
• Similarly, hiding files in Ubuntu Linux involves renaming the file with a dot at the beginning of its name.
• These steps provide a convenient way to manage file visibility in the File Manager, ensuring that important files can be kept out of plain sight when necessary.