Showing Hidden Files and Folders on Windows 10

Q

How to see hidden files and folders on Windows 10? I was told "C:\Users\<userid>\AppData" is hidden folder. But I want to see what in that folder.

✍: FYIcenter.com

A

By default, Windows 10 marks a number of important files and folders as hidden to prevent you changing or deleting them accidentally.

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
03/12/2017  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Contacts
04/06/2017  10:06 AM    <DIR>          Desktop
04/14/2017  03:32 PM    <DIR>          Documents
04/15/2017  10:36 AM    <DIR>          Downloads
03/16/2017  09:30 AM    <DIR>          Favorites
03/12/2017  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Links
03/12/2017  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Music
04/14/2017  03:15 PM    <DIR>          Pictures
...

C:\Users\john>dir /ad > hidden.txt
01/05/2017  11:23 AM    <DIR>          AppData
01/05/2017  11:23 AM    <JUNCTION>     Application Data [C:\Users\...]
03/12/2017  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Contacts
01/05/2017  11:23 AM    <JUNCTION>     Cookies [C:\Users\...]
04/06/2017  10:06 AM    <DIR>          Desktop
04/14/2017  03:32 PM    <DIR>          Documents
04/15/2017  10:36 AM    <DIR>          Downloads
03/16/2017  09:30 AM    <DIR>          Favorites
03/12/2017  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Links
01/05/2017  11:23 AM    <JUNCTION>     Local Settings [C:\Users\...]
03/12/2017  08:41 AM    <DIR>          Music
01/05/2017  11:23 AM    <JUNCTION>     My Documents [C:\Users\...]
04/14/2017  03:15 PM    <DIR>          Pictures
...

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

On Windows Explorer, click "View" tab. Then click on "Options" icon. You 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 10

⇐ Temporary File Locations on Windows 10

⇑ Managing Temporary Files on Windows 10

⇑⇑ Windows 10 Tutorials

2023-08-08, ∼2999🔥, 0💬

Windows 10 Setup - Choose Privacy Settings
How to choose privacy settings during the Windows 10 initial setup process? When you see the "Choose your privacy settings for your device" screen, make the following settings: Location - Windows and apps can't use your location to provide things like local weather, direction, and Find My Device. Of... 2025-10-18, ≈12🔥, 1💬

💬 2025-10-18 might guy: good tutorial

Windows 10 Setup - Registration with HP
Should I register myself with HP during the Windows 10 initial setup process? As the last step of the Windows 10 initial setup process, your computer will prompt you to register with HP: Register and Protect Register with HP (optional) and choose your HP contact and service preferences. By clicking ... 2023-02-19, ∼9960🔥, 0💬

Removing "Content.Word" Temporary Files on Windows 10
What files are stored in the "C:\Users\<userid&g t;\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Win dows\TemporaryInternet Files\Content.Word" folder? Can I delete them? Files stored in the "C:\Users\<userid&g t;\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Win dows\TemporaryInternet Files\Content.Word" folder are backu... 2023-07-29, ∼6153🔥, 0💬

Removing Outlook "Temporary Internet Files" on Windows 10
How to remove Outlook temporary files? I heard that if I open a document or a picture attached in emails, Outlook will stored it as a temporary files on my hard disk. Yes, Outlook does store a copy of every attachment you open from emails in the "C:\Users\<userid&g t;\AppData\Local\Microso... 2023-08-08, ∼4041🔥, 0💬

Managing Temporary Files on Windows 10
Where to find tutorials on managing and removing temporary files on Windows 10? I want to keep my computer clean. Here is a collection of tutorials on understanding and managing Windows 10 temporary folders and files: Temporary File Locations on Windows 10 Showing Hidden Files and Folders on Windows... 2023-02-19, ∼3622🔥, 0💬

Removing Files in "Temp" Folder on Windows 10
What files are stored in C:\Users\<userid&gt ;\AppData\Local\Tempfolder? Can I delete them? Files stored in C:\Users\<userid&gt ;\AppData\Local\Tempfolder are temporary files stored by Windows system and applications. By default, Windows environment variable "TEMP" is set to C:... 2023-08-08, ∼3181🔥, 0💬

Windows 10 Setup - Final Step
What is the final step of the Windows 10 initial setup process? The final step of the Windows 10 initial setup process is for your computer to apply all the selections you have made, and install the Windows 10 system. You will see the following message on the screen while waiting: This may take seve... 2023-02-19, ∼3016🔥, 0💬

Showing Hidden Files and Folders on Windows 10
How to see hidden files and folders on Windows 10? I was told "C:\Users\<userid&g t;\AppData"is hidden folder. But I want to see what in that folder. By default, Windows 10 marks a number of important files and folders as hidden to prevent you changing or deleting them accidentally. There... 2023-08-08, ∼3000🔥, 0💬

Temporary File Locations on Windows 10
Where are temporary files located on Windows 10? I want to delete them all. Here is a complete list of folders where Windows 10 stores temporary files. You should review them one by one before deleting files in those folders: C:\Users\<userid&gt ;\AppData\Local\TempC:\Users\<userid... 2023-02-19, ∼2899🔥, 0💬

All rights in the contents of this web site are reserved by the individual author. fyicenter.com does not guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of any contents.