Viewing Hidden Files and Folders
Microsoft didn't want users deleting files and folders needed to operate Windows and Windows programs, so they 'hid' some things from the casual users.
However, if there is a problem with Windows or a need for troubleshooting an application, it becomes necessary to 'un-hide' those hidden things.
To unhide those files or enable viewing them is pretty easy and once the problems have been fixed, a user can just go back and 'hide' them again for safety.
First open My Documents, (Documents in Vista) click on Tools and select Folder Options. Then click the View tab on the Folder Options window. In the View tab, scroll down to the Hidden files and check 'Show hidden files and folders'. Next un-check 'Hide extensions for known file types'. Click Apply, then click OK to close the Folder options window.
- Screenshot My Documents/Tools
- Screenshot Tools/Folder Options
- Screenshot Folder Options/View
- Screenshot View/Enabling
Now you can get on with the problem fixing! To hide the files, just reverse the settings shown in the View/Enabling screenshot.