How to see hidden files and folders on Windows 7? I was told "C:\Users\<userid>\AppData" is hidden folder. But I want to see what in that folder.

By default, Windows 7 marks a number of important files and folders as hidden to prevent you changing or deleting them accidently.

There are two ways to see hidden files and folders:

1. Using the "dir /ad" command in a command window. For example, if your user ID is john, you can run the following command to see all hidden files and folders:

C:\>cd users
C:\Users>cd john
C:\Users\john>
C:\Users\john>dir > dir.txt
03/12/2015  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Contacts
04/06/2015  10:06 AM    <DIR>          Desktop
04/14/2015  03:32 PM    <DIR>          Documents
04/15/2015  10:36 AM    <DIR>          Downloads
03/16/2015  09:30 AM    <DIR>          Favorites
03/12/2015  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Links
03/12/2015  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Music
04/14/2015  03:15 PM    <DIR>          Pictures
...

C:\Users\john>dir /ad > hidden.txt
01/05/2012  11:23 AM    <DIR>          AppData
01/05/2012  11:23 AM    <JUNCTION>     Application Data [C:\Users\...]
03/12/2015  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Contacts
01/05/2012  11:23 AM    <JUNCTION>     Cookies [C:\Users\...]
04/06/2015  10:06 AM    <DIR>          Desktop
04/14/2015  03:32 PM    <DIR>          Documents
04/15/2015  10:36 AM    <DIR>          Downloads
03/16/2015  09:30 AM    <DIR>          Favorites
03/12/2015  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Links
01/05/2012  11:23 AM    <JUNCTION>     Local Settings [C:\Users\...]
03/12/2015  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Music
01/05/2012  11:23 AM    <JUNCTION>     My Documents [C:\Users\...]
04/14/2015  03:15 PM    <DIR>          Pictures
...

2. Turning on "Show hidden files, folders and drives" in Folder Options in Windows Explorer.

On Windows Explorer, click Tools > Folder options... to see the Folder Options dialog box.

Click "View" tab and turn on "Show hidden files, folders and drives" option

Click "Apply to Folders". You should see all hidden files in all folders now.

⇒ Removing Files in "Temp" Folder on Windows 7

⇐ Temporary File Locations on Windows 7

⇑ Managing Temporary Files on Windows 7

⇑⇑ Windows 7 Tutorials