How to View System and Hidden Files in Windows

This article describes how to view hidden and system files in Windows Explorer, Windows NT Explorer, My Computer, and the Find tool. By default, Windows does not display hidden and system files.

To view hidden and system files, use one of the following methods.

Computers Without the Internet Explorer 4.0 Windows Desktop Update

1. Double-click My Computer.
2. On the View menu, click Options.
3. On the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

Computers with Internet Explorer 4.0 Windows Desktop Update or Windows 98

1. Double-click My Computer.
2. On the View menu, click Folder Options.
3. Click the View tab.
4. In the Advanced Settings box, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

When you enable the Show All Files option, the following file types are displayed:

• .dll - Program extension
• .sys - System file
• .vxd - Virtual device driver
• .386 - Virtual device driver
• .drv - Device driver

Note that any hidden files are also displayed.

For additional information about the Internet Explorer 4.0 Windows Desktop Update, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: