Here’s how you can unhide hidden files and folders in Windows 11 File Explorer.
- Open File Explorer by clicking on its yellow folder icon. By default, it is available on the Windows Taskbar.
- On the File Explorer toolbar, click on the View item. On the menu, click on Show and then Hidden Items.

Now, the hidden files and folders on your Windows system will be visible. Their icons are shown with less opacity than the regular files and folders.
To hide the hidden items again, repeat the previous steps.
Alternatively, you can set the hidden files to show up in Windows Settings. To do that:
- Type hidden in Windows Search box and click on the Show hidden files in file explorer item.

- On the System / For developers window of Windows Settings, toggle the Show hidden and system files switch on.
