To change how your items appear in File Explorer, select View on the ribbon and choose between showing icons, lists, details, and more. To reduce the space between files, select View > Compact view. To find relevant files from your PC and the cloud, search from File Explorer Home.

If you want to disable indexing and searching for specific locations or file types, you can do so by selecting the appropriate options under Settings > Privacy & Security > Searching Windows > Advanced indexing options.

To show hidden files: When searching, look for all files of a certain type using the asterisk (*). For example: Some files might move during the Windows 11 upgrade. To check the location of files that are found during searching: If desired, either copy or move the files to an alternate location.

Learn how to use Windows File Recovery app to restore or recover lost files that have been deleted and are not in the recycle bin.

Select Task View icon on the taskbar, or press Windows logo key + Tab, and select an activity. Scroll down to see documents you have opened and websites you have browsed.

Whether it's hidden or missing after an update, this article will help you quickly locate and restore it. If your desktop doesn't show any icons, right-click (or press and hold on a touch device) on the desktop and select View. Ensure that Show desktop icons is checked. If not, select it.

The data in hidden worksheets is not visible, but it can still be referenced from other worksheets and workbooks, and you can easily unhide hidden worksheets as needed.

If you can’t see any icons at all, they may have been hidden. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop. Select View from the context menu. Click Show desktop icons (ensure it is checked). If certain icons are missing from your desktop, these steps will show how to reset the defaults. Right-click on the desktop and select Personalize.

Learn more about how to find all your apps and programs in the all new Windows Start menu.

Some of the folders might be hidden folders, and Windows might have file name extensions (such as .pst, .ost, .pab) turned off. To show hidden folders and file name extensions, do the following: Open Control Panel. In Windows 10, right-click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.