Hidden files are there by design, and you can see them with one setting change
Your operating system hides certain files by default to prevent you from accidentally deleting something your computer needs to run. These files still exist on your hard drive — they are just invisible in your normal file browser. You can make them visible whenever you want, and the process takes less than a minute on any device.
The reason to look for hidden files varies. You might be searching for a configuration file that controls how a program behaves, recovering a file someone else hid, or trying to find a folder that starts with a dot or period (which signals "hidden" on Mac and Linux). Whatever the reason, the steps are straightforward and reversible — you can hide them again just as easily.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open File Explorer, click the View tab, and check the box next to "Hidden items" to see all hidden files at once.
- On Mac, press Command + Shift + Period while a Finder window is open, and hidden files will appear when ready in that window and all future ones.
- Hidden files are marked with a dot at the start of their name on Mac and Linux, and with a hidden attribute on Windows that you can see in file properties.
- Hiding files again is the same process in reverse — uncheck the box on Windows or press Command + Shift + Period again on Mac.
- Some hidden files are system files your computer needs; do not delete anything unless you know what it does.
Showing hidden files on Windows 10 and 11
Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar). At the top of the window, click the View tab. In the ribbon that appears, look for a checkbox labeled Hidden items — it will be in the upper right area of the ribbon. Click the checkbox to turn it on.
Once you check that box, all hidden files and folders on your computer will become visible in File Explorer. They will appear slightly faded or grayed out compared to normal files, so you can tell them apart. This setting stays on until you uncheck it again, so every time you open File Explorer going forward, you will see hidden files unless you turn the setting back off.
If you cannot find the View tab, make sure you are in File Explorer and not another window. On some versions of Windows, you may need to click a menu icon (three horizontal lines) first to see the View option.
Showing hidden files on Mac
Open Finder and click anywhere in the Finder window to make sure it is active. Then press Command + Shift + Period (the period key, also called a full stop). Hidden files will appear when ready in that window.
This keyboard shortcut toggles hidden files on and off. Press it again and they disappear. Unlike Windows, where the setting applies to all File Explorer windows, on Mac the setting applies to all Finder windows going forward — once you press the shortcut, hidden files stay visible in every Finder window you open until you press the shortcut again to hide them.
If the shortcut does not work, make sure you are using the correct keys. Command is the key with the Apple logo. Shift is the key above Ctrl. Period is the key to the right of the semicolon. All three must be pressed at the same time.
Showing hidden files on Linux
The method depends on which file manager you are using. In GNOME Files (the default on many Linux systems), open the file manager and press Ctrl + H. Hidden files will appear when ready. Press Ctrl + H again to hide them.
In Nautilus (another common Linux file manager), the process is the same: Ctrl + H toggles hidden files on and off. If you are using a different file manager, check its menu for a "Show Hidden Files" option, usually under View or Preferences.
What hidden files actually are
A hidden file is straightforward a file with a special attribute or naming convention that tells your operating system not to display it by default. On Mac and Linux, any file or folder that starts with a dot (.) is automatically hidden — for example, .bashrc or .ssh. On Windows, files have a hidden attribute that you can set in the file's properties.
Most hidden files are configuration files that programs use to store settings, or system files that your operating system needs to function. Some are folders that hold temporary data or backups. A few are hidden because someone deliberately hid them, but most are hidden by default because they are not meant to be edited or moved by the average user.
The hidden status does not make a file secret or encrypted — it is purely a visibility setting. Anyone with access to your computer can unhide files and see what is in them. If you need actual privacy, you need encryption, which is a different tool.
Finding a specific hidden file by name
If you know the name of the file you are looking for, you do not have to unhide all files. You can search for it directly. On Windows, open File Explorer, click the search box in the upper right, type the file name, and press Enter. Windows will search hidden files automatically.
On Mac, open Finder, press Command + Space to open Spotlight search, type the file name, and press Enter. Spotlight searches hidden files by default. On Linux, use your file manager's search function or open a terminal and type find ~ -name "filename" (replace "filename" with the actual name).
Searching is faster than unhiding everything if you only need one or two files, and it avoids the clutter of seeing every hidden system file on your computer.
Why you should be careful with hidden system files
Once you can see hidden files, resist the urge to delete or move anything unless you know exactly what it does. Your operating system and your programs rely on many hidden files to work correctly. Deleting the wrong file can break your computer or cause programs to stop functioning.
Common hidden files and folders you should leave alone include .git (used by programmers), .ssh (stores security keys), AppData on Windows (stores program settings), and Library on Mac (stores system and program data). If you are looking for a specific hidden file because a program told you to find it, search for that file name rather than browsing through all hidden files.
If you accidentally delete a hidden file and your computer stops working correctly, you can often restore it by restarting your computer or reinstalling the program that uses it. But prevention is easier than recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide files myself, or only the ones the system hides?
You can hide any file you want. On Windows, right-click a file, select Properties, check the "Hidden" box, and click OK. On Mac, select a file, press Command + I to open its info window, and check "Hidden" in the General section. On Linux, rename the file to start with a dot (.) to hide it.
If I hide files again, will they disappear from my search results?
No. Hidden files still show up in search results on all operating systems. Hiding only affects whether they appear when you browse folders normally. If you want a file to be truly private, you need to encrypt it or move it to a password-protected folder.
Are hidden files the same as deleted files?
No. Hidden files still exist on your computer and take up space. Deleted files are moved to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac and Linux) and can usually be recovered. A hidden file is just invisible until you turn on the setting to see it.
What if I unhide files and my computer looks cluttered?
You can hide them again when ready using the same method: uncheck the box on Windows, press Command + Shift + Period on Mac, or press Ctrl + H on Linux. You can also hide individual files instead of all hidden files at once, which gives you more control over what you see.
Do hidden files slow down my computer?
No. Whether hidden files are visible or invisible has no effect on your computer's speed or performance. Hiding and unhiding is purely a display setting.