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Windows 7

Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives

SUMMARY: Show items marked as hidden in Explorer for Windows 7.

In Windows 7, Explorer windows by default do not show files marked as hidden. These are normally files crucial for the operating system or applications, ones that should not be modified. However, for system maintenance and other reasons you may wish to disable this "feature" and show all files, folders, and drives in Explorer.

1. Click the "Start" button, type folder options and click the "Folder Options" link that appears.

Accessing Folder Options from the Windows 7 Start button

2. When the "Folder Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click the "View" tab.

3. Underneath "Hidden files and folders", click the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" radio button.

4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

This tip was written for Windows 7 RC. Screenshots and information are subject to change between this and the official release of Windows 7.