What hidden files are and why your computer hides them
Hidden files are real files stored on your computer that your operating system does not display by default in file browsers. They exist in the same folders as your regular files, but you have to turn on a setting to see them. Your computer hides them to prevent accidental deletion — most hidden files are system files or configuration files that programs need to run, and losing them can break software or your entire operating system.
The most common hidden files are those that start with a dot (.) on Mac and Linux, or files marked with a hidden attribute on Windows. You might have hidden files in your Documents folder, your home directory, or anywhere else on your drive. They are not secret or encrypted — they are just invisible until you change your view settings.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open File Explorer, click the View tab, and check the box labeled "Hidden items" to see all hidden files at once.
- On Mac, press Command+Shift+Period (.) while a Finder window is open to toggle hidden files on and off when ready.
- Hidden files that start with a dot on Mac and Linux are usually system or configuration files — deleting them can break programs or your computer.
- You can also right-click a specific file on Windows and select Properties to uncheck the Hidden attribute if you want to unhide just that one file.
- Before deleting any hidden file, search online for its name to understand what it does and whether your programs depend on it.
Showing hidden files on Windows
On Windows 10 and 11, the fastest way is through File Explorer. Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar), then click the View tab at the top. Look for a checkbox labeled "Hidden items" — click it once to turn it on. All hidden files and folders will now appear in your file list, usually shown slightly faded or with a different icon to indicate they are hidden.
If you are using an older version of Windows, the path is slightly different. Open File Explorer, click Tools in the menu bar, then Folder Options, then the View tab. Scroll down until you see "Hidden files and folders" and select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives." Click explore and OK. The hidden files will appear when ready.
Once you have turned on the setting, it stays on until you turn it off again. You do not have to repeat it every time you open File Explorer. If you want to hide a specific file again, right-click it, select Properties, check the box next to "Hidden," and click explore.
Showing hidden files on Mac
On Mac, the keyboard shortcut is the fastest method. Open Finder (the blue and white face icon in your dock), then press Command+Shift+Period (the period key, also called a full stop). Hidden files will appear when ready in your Finder window. Press the same keys again to hide them.
You can also use the menu if you prefer not to memorize the shortcut. Open Finder, click the View menu at the top, then select "Show Hidden Files." The setting applies to all Finder windows until you toggle it off again through the same menu.
On older versions of macOS, you may need to use Terminal instead. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight), type defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true, press Enter, then type killall Finder and press Enter again. Finder will restart and hidden files will be visible. To hide them again, replace "true" with "false" in the first command.
Showing hidden files on Linux
On Linux, the method depends on which file manager you are using. In most graphical file managers (like Nautilus, Dolphin, or Thunar), open the View menu and look for an option called "Show Hidden Files" or "View Hidden Files." Click it once to toggle hidden files on.
If you are using the terminal, you can list hidden files with the command ls -a in any directory. The -a flag stands for "all" and shows both hidden and regular files. If you want to see more details about each file, use ls -la instead.
Understanding what you are looking at
Once hidden files are visible, you will see many files and folders you have never noticed before. On Mac and Linux, files that start with a dot are hidden — examples include .bashrc, .ssh, .config, and .local. These are almost always system or configuration files that programs use to store settings. Deleting them can break the programs that depend on them.
On Windows, hidden files do not necessarily start with a dot, but they are marked with a hidden attribute. You might see files like thumbs.db (Windows image thumbnails), desktop.ini (folder display settings), or system files in your Windows folder. Again, these are files your computer or programs need to function.
If you see a hidden file and are not sure what it does, do not delete it. Instead, search for the filename online — most system files have documentation explaining what they are for. If a program is not working correctly and you suspect a hidden file is the cause, that is a better time to investigate.
When you might need to find a hidden file
The most common reason to look for hidden files is to find configuration files for programs you use. Many applications store settings in hidden folders — for example, browser extensions, email client settings, or game save files might be in a hidden .config or .local folder. If you are moving to a new computer or backing up your settings, knowing where these files are located is useful.
Another reason is troubleshooting. If a program is not working correctly, support documentation might ask you to check or delete a specific hidden file or folder. Before you do, make sure you understand what the file does and that you have a backup of your entire computer or at least that folder.
You might also need to find hidden files if you are looking for a file you accidentally hid. If you right-clicked a file and selected "Hide" or marked it as hidden, turning on the hidden files view will show it again so you can unhide it.
Protecting yourself when working with hidden files
The main risk with hidden files is accidental deletion. Because they are hidden by default, your computer is trying to protect you from deleting something important. Before you delete any hidden file, especially one in a system folder like Windows, System32, or /etc on Linux, take these steps: search for the filename online, read what it does, check whether any programs you use depend on it, and create a full backup of your computer first.
If you are not sure whether a hidden file is safe to delete, leave it alone. The worst that happens if you never touch it is that it sits there taking up a tiny amount of space. The worst that happens if you delete something you should not have is that your computer or a program stops working.
A safer approach is to rename a hidden file instead of deleting it — add .backup to the end of the filename. If nothing breaks, you can delete it later. If something stops working, you can rename it back to its original name and the program will find it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I permanently delete a hidden file?
Yes, but only if you are certain what it does and that nothing depends on it. System files and configuration files are hidden for a reason — deleting them can break your computer or programs. If you must delete a hidden file, create a full backup first, then rename the file instead of deleting it to test whether anything breaks.
Why does my file show as hidden when I did not hide it?
Some programs automatically hide their configuration files and folders. For example, if you install a program that stores settings in a hidden folder, that folder will be hidden by default. You can unhide it by right-clicking it, selecting Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac), and unchecking the Hidden attribute.
Are hidden files the same as encrypted files?
No. Hidden files are straightforward not displayed in your file browser — anyone with access to your computer can still see them by turning on the hidden files view. Encrypted files are scrambled so that only someone with the correct password or key can read them. These are two different things.
What if I accidentally deleted a hidden file?
Check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) first — the file might still be there. If it is, restore it. If you emptied the trash, you may be able to recover it with data recovery software, though success depends on how long ago you deleted it and how much you have used your computer since then.
Do I need to show hidden files all the time?
No. Most people can leave hidden files hidden — they are hidden for a reason. Turn on the view only when you need to find or work with a specific hidden file, then turn it off again. This reduces the chance of accidentally deleting something important.