Hidden files are there, but your operating system hides them by default
A hidden file is a file or folder that exists on your computer but does not show up when you open a folder window. Your operating system hides them on purpose — usually system files that you should not delete by accident, or files that programs need to run but that you do not need to see every day. The file is not deleted or locked away. It is just invisible until you tell your system to show it.
Hidden files have a technical marker that tells your operating system "do not display this in folder listings." You can remove that marker and make the file visible again, or you can change your view settings so that hidden files appear alongside your regular files. The steps are different depending on whether you use Windows or Mac.
Key Takeaways
- Hidden files are marked by your operating system to stay out of your way, but they are not protected or locked — you can view and edit them if you know how.
- On Windows, you can show hidden files by opening File Explorer, clicking View, and checking the box for "Hidden items."
- On Mac, you can show hidden files by opening Finder, pressing Command+Shift+Period, and the hidden files will appear in your current folder.
- Hidden files usually have names that start with a dot (.) on Mac and Linux, which is a naming convention that tells the system to hide them.
- You can hide a file again by right-clicking it, opening Properties or Get Info, and unchecking the hidden attribute.
How to show hidden files on Windows
Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key and typing "File Explorer," then click the result. Navigate to the folder where you think the hidden file is located. At the top of the window, click the View tab.
In the View tab, look for a checkbox labeled "Hidden items" in the ribbon menu. Click it to turn it on. Hidden files and folders will now appear in your folder listing, usually shown in a lighter gray color to distinguish them from regular files. If you want to hide them again, click the same checkbox to turn it off.
If you want this setting to stick — so that hidden files show up every time you open File Explorer — you can make it permanent. In the View tab, click Options (or Folder Options on older Windows versions), then go to the View tab in the window that opens. Find the option that says "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" and select it, then click explore and OK.
How to show hidden files on Mac
Open Finder by clicking the Finder icon in your dock, or by pressing Command+Space and typing "Finder." Navigate to the folder where the hidden file should be. Once you are in that folder, press Command+Shift+Period (the period key, also called the full stop).
Hidden files will appear when ready in your Finder window. They usually have names that start with a dot, like .DS_Store or .gitignore. Press Command+Shift+Period again to hide them once more. Unlike Windows, this keyboard shortcut toggles the view on and off — you do not need to dig through menus.
Why files get hidden in the first place
Operating systems hide files to protect you from accidentally deleting something your computer needs to run. System configuration files, cache files, and process settings are often hidden because they have technical names and purposes that most people do not need to interact with. If you deleted a hidden system file by mistake, your computer might stop working correctly or a program might lose its settings.
Some programs also create hidden folders to store data that you do not need to see. For example, web browsers store cached images and browsing history in hidden folders. Backup programs store version history in hidden locations. These files take up space and change constantly, so hiding them keeps your folder windows clean and readable.
When you might need to view a hidden file
You might need to view a hidden file if a program tells you to edit a configuration file, if you are troubleshooting a problem and need to check system settings, or if you are looking for process data that a program stored in a hidden folder. Some software tutorials or support articles will tell you to open a hidden file to fix an issue.
You might also need to see hidden files if you are moving files between computers or backing up your data. Hidden files are still part of your system and should be included in backups, so you may want to confirm they are being copied. If you are sharing a folder with someone else, hidden files will not transfer unless you show them first and make sure your backup or file-sharing tool includes them.
How to hide a file again
On Windows, right-click the file you want to hide. Click Properties at the bottom of the menu. In the Properties window, look for a checkbox labeled "Hidden" near the bottom. Check that box and click explore, then OK. The file will disappear from your folder view the next time you refresh or close and reopen the window.
On Mac, right-click the file and click Get Info. In the Get Info window, look for a checkbox that says "Hidden" and check it. Close the window and the file will disappear from your Finder view. You can also use the command line tool chflags to hide files, but the Get Info method is simpler for most people.
What hidden files look like on different systems
On Windows, hidden files do not have a special naming convention — they are marked as hidden by an invisible attribute that the operating system reads. When you show hidden files in File Explorer, they appear in the same list as regular files, usually in a slightly faded color.
On Mac and Linux, hidden files almost always start with a dot (.). A file named .bashrc or .config is hidden by default because of that dot at the beginning. This naming convention is a standard across Unix-based systems, so if you see a filename starting with a dot, you know it is probably hidden. Some programs use this convention to organize their settings and data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a hidden file?
Yes, you can delete a hidden file the same way you delete a regular file — by right-clicking it and choosing Delete, or by selecting it and pressing the Delete key. However, be careful: many hidden files are system files that your computer needs to run. If you delete a hidden system file by mistake, your computer or a program might stop working. Only delete a hidden file if you are sure what it does.
Why do some files have a dot at the beginning of their name?
On Mac and Linux, a dot at the start of a filename tells the operating system to hide that file by default. This is a naming convention, not a protection feature. The dot does not mean the file is dangerous — it just means the system designer wanted it out of the way. You can rename a file to remove the dot and unhide it, or show hidden files to see it without renaming.
Will hidden files show up in backups?
It depends on your backup tool. Most backup programs include hidden files by default because they contain important settings and data. However, some backup tools have an option to skip hidden files to save space. Check your backup software's settings to confirm that hidden files are being backed up if that matters to you.
Is there a way to show hidden files permanently on Windows?
Yes. Open File Explorer, click the View tab, then click Options. In the Folder Options window, go to the View tab and select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives." Click explore and OK. After that, hidden files will show up in every folder you open, and you will not need to turn the setting on again.
What if I cannot find the file I am looking for even with hidden files shown?
The file might be in a different folder than you expect, or it might have been deleted. Try using your system's search function — on Windows, press Ctrl+F in File Explorer; on Mac, press Command+Space and use Spotlight. Search for part of the filename you remember, and the search will look through hidden files too.