[Solved] Windows 11/10 Show Hidden Files Not Working

To resolve the Show Hidden Files Not Working issue in Windows 11/10, you can try one of the following four reliable fixes: enable the "Show hidden files" option in File Explorer settings, disable the "Hide protected operating system files" option, reset File Explorer to its default settings, or check for corrupted system files and repair them using the System File Checker (SFC) tool.

Show Hidden Files Not Working in Windows 11/10

On Windows 10, you're experiencing an issue where the option to show hidden files and folders keeps unchecking itself. This is likely due to a Group Policy setting or a third-party application interfering with the system settings. To resolve this, try checking the Group Policy settings by typing "gpedit.msc" in the Run dialog (Windows key + R), navigating to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > File Explorer, and looking for any policies related to hiding or showing files. If that doesn't work, try disabling any recently installed third-party applications or software that might be causing the issue. Additionally, you can try running the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM tools to scan and repair any corrupted system files. If none of these steps resolve the issue, it's possible that there's a deeper problem with your system, and you may want to consider seeking further assistance from a Microsoft support specialist or a professional Windows administrator.

If you're having trouble showing hidden files in Windows 10, don't rely solely on the File Explorer Options to tick the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" box. This method often doesn't work as expected, and even when it does, the hidden files may still not appear. If you're able to check the option but the hidden files remain invisible, you're not alone. Fortunately, there are solutions to this issue, which can be found by reading on.

How to Fix "Show Hidden Files Not Working" in Windows 11/10

Before attempting to recover hidden files, try the following fixes to make them visible again. There are certain methods to recover hidden files, but first, it's recommended to try these solutions.

Method 1. Use Alternative Ways to Show Hidden Files

The first way is to enable the File Explorer's "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" option. To do this, open File Explorer, click on the three dots, and select "File Explorer Options.

To view hidden files, open the folder that contains them, go to the "View" tab, and check the box next to "Hidden items".

To show hidden files, folders, and drives in Windows, go to the "Control Panel" and select "File Explorer Options". Then, navigate to the "View" tab and tick the box that says "Show hidden files, folders, and drives".

If you're having trouble showing hidden files in Windows 10, there are a few other options to try. You can also use the File Explorer settings to show hidden files, by going to View, then Options, and selecting the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" checkbox. Alternatively, you can use Command Prompt to show hidden files.

Option 3. Show Hidden Files Using CMD

Step 1. Click "Start" and enter cmd.

Step 2. Right-click "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator".

Step 3. To remove the hidden, read-only, and system attributes from all files on a drive, open Command Prompt and enter `attrib -h -r -s /s /d f:*.*` (Replace "f" with the drive letter of the partition that contains the hidden files).

For computer professionals, manual execution of command lines is suitable, but it can be risky due to potential harm from incorrect commands. To ensure security and usability, it's recommended to use a tool like Qiling CleanGenius, which can perform tasks such as checking and fixing file system errors, enabling or disabling write protection, and updating the system with a single click, eliminating the need for intricate command lines.

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

To show hidden files using this 1-click-fix software, follow these simple steps.

Step 1. DOWNLOAD Qiling CleanGenius for Free.

Step 2. Start Qiling CleanGenius, choose "Optimization" on the left panel. Next, click "File Showing" on the right panel. 

Step 3. Select the hard drive and click "Execute".

Step 4. After the operation completes, click the here link to check the hidden files. 

Method 2. Run System File Checker Tool

If you're unable to check the "Show hidden files" option in Windows 10, it's likely due to corrupted system files. Running the System File Checker tool can help repair missing or corrupted system files, which may resolve the issue.

Step 1. Click "Start" and type cmd.

Step 2. Right-click "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator".

Step 3. Enter the following command lines in order. (The DISM command is used to make a Windows image to protect your data.)

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow

Step 4. Restart the computer and check whether the problem persists.

Method 3. Adjust the Registry

Be careful when modifying the registry as it can cause serious system errors if done incorrectly.

Step 1. Press "Windows + R" keys and enter "Regedit". In the prompt, click "OK".

Step 2. Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL

Step 3. Double-click "CheckedValue" and set the "Value data" as "1".

Step 4. Reboot your computer and check whether "show hidden files not working" still exist.

Method 4. Recover Hidden Files

If you still can't see your hidden files, you can use data recovery software like Deep Data Recovery to recover them. This software can also help recover deleted, formatted, and lost files from your computer or external storage devices, and is 100% secure and virus-free.

To recover all your hidden files and folders:

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Step 1. Select file types and click "Next" to start

Run Qiling virus file recovery software on your Windows PC. Select file types and click "Next" to proceed with the recovery process. 

Step 2. Select the virus infected drive to scan

To scan for lost or hidden files, select the disk attacked by the virus. Note that this process may not recover all lost data, but it can help identify files that may be recoverable.

• If the issue is caused by a virus on the HDD, it's best to install the software on a separate volume or an external USB drive to prevent data overwriting.
• If the infected device is an external hard drive, flash drive, or memory card, it's okay to install the software on the local drive of the computer.

Step 3. Check all scanned results

Deep Data Recovery will initiate a scan process to locate deleted or hidden files on the virus-infected hard drive. To quickly pinpoint desired files, users can utilize the Filter or type grouping feature to display specific types of files, such as pictures, videos, documents, or emails.

Step 4. Preview and recover deleted/hidden files

After the scanning process is complete, you can preview the recovered files. Select the files you want to recover and click the "Recover" button. It's essential to save the restored files to a different, secure location on your computer or storage device, rather than the original lost location.

The Bottom Line

If "Show hidden files" in Windows 10 isn't working, you can try using an alternative method, running the System File Checker tool, or modifying the registry key. If these tips don't help, you can recover your hidden files using data recovery software. This can help you get back your hidden files and folders.

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

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