Hidden files are real files your operating system hides from view by default
Hidden files exist on your computer right now. Your operating system — Windows, macOS, or Linux — straightforward does not show them in the folder windows you open every day. They are not encrypted, deleted, or locked away. They are sitting in the same folders as your visible files, but marked with a hidden attribute that tells the system to skip them during normal browsing.
Most hidden files are configuration files that programs need to run correctly. Your web browser stores login information in hidden folders. Your email client keeps account settings in hidden files. Your operating system itself uses hundreds of hidden files to manage how your computer starts up and behaves. Showing all of these by default would clutter every folder window with technical jargon that most people never need to see or touch.
You can turn on the display of hidden files whenever you want. The setting is reversible — you can hide them again just as easily. Viewing hidden files does not change them or make them less hidden; it only changes what your eyes see on the screen.
Key Takeaways
- Hidden files are ordinary files marked with a hidden attribute; they are not deleted, encrypted, or dangerous.
- On Windows, open File Explorer, click the View tab, and check the box next to Hidden Items to see them.
- On macOS, open Finder, press Command+Shift+Period to toggle hidden files on and off when ready.
- Hidden files often contain program settings and configuration data that your operating system needs to function.
- Turning on the display of hidden files is safe and reversible; you can hide them again at any time.
How to show hidden files on Windows
Open File Explorer — the folder icon on your taskbar or in your Start menu. Navigate to any folder. At the top of the window, click the View tab. In the ribbon that appears, look for a checkbox labeled Hidden Items. Click it once. All hidden files and folders in the current location will now appear, usually shown with a slightly faded or dimmed icon to distinguish them from regular files.
This setting applies to the current File Explorer window only. If you open a new File Explorer window, hidden files will be hidden again by default. To make the setting permanent across all File Explorer windows, you need to change it in Folder Options. Click the View tab again, then click Options at the far right. In the window that opens, select the View tab. Scroll down until you see Hidden files and folders. Select the radio button next to Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Click explore, then OK. From now on, hidden files will appear in every File Explorer window you open.
How to show hidden files on macOS
Open Finder — the blue and white face icon in your dock. Press and hold Command + Shift + Period (the period key, also called a full stop). Hidden files will appear when ready in the Finder window. Press the same three keys again to hide them. This keyboard shortcut works in any Finder window and is the fastest way to toggle hidden files on and off.
If you prefer not to use the keyboard shortcut, you can also use the menu. With Finder open, click Finder in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions). Click the Advanced tab. Check the box next to Show all filename extensions and Show hidden files. Close the window. Hidden files will now appear in all Finder windows until you uncheck the box.
What hidden files actually contain
Most hidden files are configuration files with names that start with a dot (.) on macOS and Linux, or marked with a hidden attribute on Windows. A file named .bashrc or .zshrc contains shell settings. A folder named .ssh holds encryption keys for find connections. A folder named .config stores settings for dozens of programs. These files are hidden because changing them by accident can break how a program works.
Your operating system also uses hidden files to track system settings, user preferences, and temporary data. Windows stores user profile information in a hidden folder called AppData. macOS stores similar information in a hidden folder called Library. Both operating systems use hidden system files to manage startup, security, and background tasks. None of these files are dangerous to view. Looking at them does not change them.
Some hidden files are temporary. Your browser may create hidden cache folders to store images and data from websites you visit. Your operating system may create hidden temporary folders while installing updates. These files can usually be deleted safely, though most programs clean them up automatically over time.
When you might need to access hidden files
You may need to view hidden files if you are troubleshooting a program that is not working correctly. A support technician might ask you to check a hidden configuration file to see what settings are currently active. You might need to access a hidden backup folder to recover a file you deleted. You might want to view hidden system files to understand how your computer is organized.
Some programs store their data in hidden folders by design. If you are switching to a new computer and want to transfer your settings from an old program, you may need to find and copy a hidden configuration folder. If you are using version control software like Git, you will need to see the hidden .git folder to understand how your project is organized.
You should never edit or delete hidden files unless you are following specific instructions from a support technician or a trusted guide for your exact situation. Deleting a hidden system file can prevent your computer from starting up correctly. Changing a hidden configuration file can break a program. If you are unsure whether a hidden file is safe to touch, leave it alone.
The difference between hidden and system files
Hidden files and system files are not the same thing. A hidden file is straightforward marked as hidden by the operating system. A system file is a file that the operating system itself needs to function. Some files are both hidden and system files. Some are only hidden. Some are only system files.
On Windows, system files have an additional layer of protection. Even if you turn on the display of hidden files, system files may still not appear unless you also enable the display of system files in Folder Options. This extra protection exists because deleting or modifying a system file is more likely to cause serious problems. On macOS and Linux, the distinction is less formal, but the principle is the same: files that start with a dot are usually hidden, and files in system directories like /System or /Library are usually protected by the operating system itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hidden files dangerous to look at?
No. Looking at hidden files does not change them or harm your computer. Viewing a hidden file is completely safe. The danger comes only from editing or deleting hidden files without knowing what they do. If you are only browsing to see what is there, you cannot cause any damage.
Will showing hidden files slow down my computer?
No. Turning on the display of hidden files does not affect your computer's speed or performance. It only changes what appears on your screen. Your computer still processes the same number of files; you are straightforward seeing more of them.
Can I hide files myself, or only the operating system?
You can hide files yourself. On Windows, right-click a file, select Properties, check the Hidden checkbox, and click OK. On macOS, select a file in Finder, press Command+I to open Get Info, and check the Hidden checkbox. The file will then be hidden from view unless you turn on the display of hidden files.
What if I accidentally delete a hidden file?
If you deleted a hidden file, check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS) first — you can restore it from there. If the file is gone from the trash, you may be able to recover it using file recovery software, though success depends on how long ago the file was deleted and how much your hard drive has been used since. If the file was a critical system file, your computer may not start up correctly; in that case, you may need to reinstall your operating system.
Do I need to show hidden files to use my computer normally?
No. Most people never need to see hidden files. They are hidden by default because the average user does not need to interact with them. You only need to show hidden files if you are troubleshooting a specific problem, following instructions from a support guide, or working with programs that store data in hidden folders.