Windows 7 Quick Tip: Hide and Show Hidden Files and Folders

Is your Windows 7 computer regularly used by other people? In that case you might want to learn how you can quickly and easily hide specific files and folders and how to show the hidden files and folders on Windows 7. Typically, when you download a webpage a folder is created within the same folder which contains supporting files like images, scripts etc. Most people find no use for the folders and just need to access the webpages from time to time. If you are going to access the same files say 10 times at least, it would be much easier to keep the folder containing the webpage clutter-free. You could do that by making the supporting files containing folders “hidden”.

How to hide specific files and folders on Windows 7

• For changing hide/show settings for specific files and folders, select (usually single click and drag) the files/folders and right click on the selected items.
• Go to Properties > Attributes (at the bottom).
• Select or Deselect Hidden to get the option to apply the change to only folders or internal files and folders too.
• Save the changed settings by clicking on OK or Apply.

How to Show Hidden Files and Folders on Windows 7

If you have created some hidden files and folders, or need to access files and folders which are hidden by Windows 7 by default, you can use the following steps:

• Open Computer or any other folder.
• Click on Organize at the top left.
• Go to Folder and Search Options.
• Click on “View” Tab.
• In Advanced Settings select or deselect the options to show/hide hidden files and folders and protected operating system files.

My advice is to make the necessary changes to any specific files/folders and then revert back to old settings (hide the files) to avoid accidents.

Please let us know whether you found the above-mentioned Windows 7 tips useful.

Samir Saurav Majhi

I’m a Generalist Researcher working on a Theory of Reality, Horticulturist, Blogger, Natural Systems Analyst and Amateur Architect