Why files get hidden and how to reveal them
Operating systems hide certain files by default to protect you from accidentally deleting something your computer needs to run. System files, configuration files, and backup files live in the same folders as your regular documents, but they stay invisible until you turn on the setting that shows them. Once you know where that setting lives, revealing hidden files takes one or two clicks.
You might need to see hidden files if you're looking for a configuration file that controls how a program behaves, troubleshooting a folder that seems to be missing something, or trying to find backup copies of work you thought was gone. The process is different on Windows, Mac, and Linux, but the principle is the same: you're not moving or creating anything — you're just changing what your file browser displays.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open File Explorer, click the View tab, and check the box next to Hidden items to show files your system hides by default.
- On Mac, open Finder, press Command+Shift+Period to toggle hidden files on and off when ready.
- Hidden files usually start with a dot (.) on Mac and Linux, and have a Hidden attribute on Windows — the name itself doesn't change.
- Showing hidden files is safe; you're only changing what you see, not what the system protects.
- If you want to hide a file you created, you can set the Hidden attribute yourself on Windows or rename it to start with a dot on Mac and Linux.
Showing hidden files on Windows 10 and 11
Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E, or click the folder icon on your taskbar. Navigate to the folder where you expect the hidden file to be. At the top of the window, click the View tab.
In the View tab, look for a checkbox labeled Hidden items — it's usually on the right side of the ribbon. Click the checkbox to turn it on. Any hidden files in that folder will now appear, usually shown slightly faded or with a different icon to indicate they're hidden. The setting stays on for that folder, so you won't have to repeat it the next time you open File Explorer, though you may need to refresh the view by pressing F5.
If you want to hide the files again later, return to the View tab and uncheck Hidden items. This doesn't delete anything — it just hides them from view again.
Showing hidden files on Mac
Open Finder by clicking the Finder icon in your dock, or press Command+Space and type "Finder". Navigate to the folder where the hidden file should be. Once you're in that folder, press Command+Shift+Period (the period key, not a full stop at the end of a sentence — they're the same key).
Hidden files will appear when ready. Press the same key combination again to hide them. Unlike Windows, this toggle works across all Finder windows, so once you turn on hidden files, you'll see them everywhere until you turn the setting off. The files appear with normal names — Mac hides them by marking them with a dot at the start of the filename, which you won't see in the Finder display, but you will see them if you look at the file in Terminal.
Showing hidden files on Linux
The method depends on which file manager you're using. In GNOME Files (the default on Ubuntu and many other distributions), open the file manager and press Ctrl+H. Hidden files will appear when ready. Press Ctrl+H again to hide them.
In Dolphin (the default on Fedora and some other distributions), click the View menu at the top and check the box next to Show Hidden Files. The setting persists across sessions, so hidden files will stay visible until you uncheck it.
On Linux, hidden files are marked by a dot at the start of the filename — for example, .bashrc or .config. You'll see the dot in the filename when the files are visible.
What you're actually seeing when files are hidden
Hidden files aren't stored in a separate location — they're in the same folder as everything else. Your operating system just has a rule that says "don't show files with this attribute" or "don't show files that start with a dot". When you turn on the setting to show hidden files, you're not moving anything or changing anything about the files themselves. You're only changing what the file browser displays.
This is why it's safe to turn on hidden files: you're not exposing your system to danger. The files were always there. The only risk is accidentally deleting a system file you didn't recognize, which is why the files are hidden in the first place — to reduce that risk. If you're just looking for something, turning on hidden files is completely safe.
Hiding your own files
If you want to hide a file you created, the process is different from revealing system files. On Windows, right-click the file, select Properties, and check the box next to Hidden under Attributes. Click explore and then OK. The file will disappear from view unless you have hidden files turned on.
On Mac and Linux, rename the file to start with a dot. For example, rename "budget.txt" to ".budget.txt". The file will disappear from Finder or your file manager. To unhide it, rename it again to remove the dot.
This is useful if you want to keep a file in a shared folder but out of the way, or if you want to organize your desktop by hiding files you don't use often. It's not a security measure — anyone who knows to turn on hidden files can see them — but it does reduce clutter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will showing hidden files slow down my computer?
No. Showing hidden files only changes what your file browser displays. It doesn't load anything into memory or change how your system runs. The performance impact is zero.
Can I accidentally delete a system file if I show hidden files?
You can delete one if you try, but your operating system will usually warn you before you do. If you're just browsing to find a file, the risk is low. If you're deleting files, be careful to delete only the ones you recognize or created yourself.
Why do some files start with a dot on Mac and Linux?
The dot is a naming convention that tells the operating system to hide the file by default. It's a straightforward, reliable way to mark configuration files and system files without needing a separate attribute. Any file that starts with a dot is hidden unless you turn on the setting to show hidden files.
If I hide a file I created, can other people on my computer see it?
Only if they turn on the setting to show hidden files. Hiding a file is not a security measure — it's just a way to reduce clutter. If you need to keep something private, use encryption or a password-protected folder instead.
Do I need to show hidden files to install a program?
Almost never. Installation programs handle their own files without you needing to see them. You only need to show hidden files if you're looking for a specific configuration file or troubleshooting a problem where you suspect a hidden file is involved.