XP/2000: How to View (and remove) Hidden Files and Folders

Contributor Icon Contributed by David Kirk     
Tag Icon Tagged: Windows  

This tutorials shows the user how to view and delete the hidden files and folders on a microsoft windows system.


A good reason exists for hiding system files and folders. Changing or removing these files can corrupt a system so windows hides these from view. The problem with this is that spyware and malware are now using this technique to prevent removal.

Here’s how to view hidden files and folders:

    1. Open explorer or My Computer
    2. Click the Tools menu
    3. Click Folder Options
    4. Click the View tab
    5. Click Show Hidden Files and Folders
    6. Unclick Hide protected operating system files.
    7. Click OK

Now you should be able to view, edit, or delete any file or folder on your system. Don’t remove anything that you do not know what it is. If you are extra cautious, you can return to the folder options and hide these files again once you are finished.

 

17 Comments -


  1. Patty said on October 8, 2008

    well I try it, and it worked, thank you very much but how can I have the cover disks too, because they do not appear when i open i tunes

  2. Prashant said on October 17, 2008

    Its not working

  3. happy said on November 25, 2008

    this is the best reciepe i have ever seen in my life. it realy helped me a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. dsfdd said on April 18, 2009

    No, you can see the “faded’ folder, but can’t remove the goddamn thing. Idiot.

  5. David Marshall said on May 8, 2009

    Here’s how to view hidden files and folders with its 7 options does not apply to files and folders hidden by rootkits or trojans. Do you know how to delete those?

  6. somebody said on May 29, 2009

    it wont work i tried over and over again but wont work

  7. Anonymous said on September 7, 2009

    I tried to do as suggested, but it refused to delete–said access denied, sidk either full or write protected. This was not intentionally downloaded.

    Any further suggestions, please?

  8. Anonymous said on May 7, 2010

    Hello
    although those hidden files are occupying part of the hard disk , even this option
    (show hidden files and folders) won,t enable you to view those files.I tried several
    programs in an attempt to remove those undesired files but in vain .I am about to
    change the hard disk with a new one !!.can any one give HELP .

  9. Forbes said on May 7, 2010

    use unlocker to delete those locked folders

  10. shubhangi said on May 26, 2010

    gr8 it worked thanks…..

  11. Betonovic said on June 24, 2010

    thank you

  12. Keith said on September 6, 2010

    This only shows you how to unlock the hidden files and not how to delete. There is more to it than described above

  13. anya said on November 19, 2010

    how do you locate the hiden files. i can see them but where do i find them

  14. Digito said on December 20, 2010

    Where do i find the unlocker u r talking about Forbes!

    Pleaz help

  15. Mhirh said on January 23, 2011

    right click-properties-untick read only

  16. Thanigai said on March 8, 2011

    one anti virus software uninstalled. but i can’t remove that software folder C drive. how do u remove that folder…

  17. ahmed said on January 24, 2012

    hello every baddy

    i have problem with virus make hidden some folders i can’t return the files to original statues … please help me with answer to solve my issues .

    Regards

 

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