Hidden folders exist on every computer, but your operating system hides them by default
Hidden folders are real directories on your hard drive that contain system files, configuration settings, and application data. Your operating system hides them to prevent accidental deletion or modification. You can unhide them with a single setting change — the process takes less than a minute and works the same way whether you use Windows or Mac.
The most common reason to access hidden folders is to find application settings, recover lost files, or troubleshoot software problems. Once you know where to look, you can navigate to these folders just like any other directory on your computer.
Key Takeaways
- Windows hides folders by default through a View setting in File Explorer; you can unhide all hidden items at once rather than one folder at a time.
- On Mac, hidden folders are controlled by a system preference, and you can also use a keyboard shortcut to toggle visibility without changing permanent settings.
- Hidden folders often start with a dot (.) on Mac or have a "Hidden" attribute on Windows, which is how the system marks them as hidden.
- Once unhidden, hidden folders behave exactly like regular folders — you can open, copy, or move them, but deleting system folders can break your computer.
Show hidden folders in Windows 10 and 11
Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key and E together, or by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar. At the top of the window, you will see a menu bar with tabs labeled "File," "Home," "Share," and "View." Click the "View" tab.
In the View tab, look for a checkbox labeled "Hidden items" — it appears in the toolbar near the top. Click the checkbox to turn it on. All hidden folders and files on your computer will now appear in File Explorer with a slightly faded icon, so you can tell them apart from regular folders. This setting stays on until you turn it off again, so you will see hidden items every time you open File Explorer.
If you cannot find the "Hidden items" checkbox, your version of Windows may have a different layout. Look for a button labeled "Options" or "Change folder and search options" in the View tab, click it, select the "View" tab in the window that opens, and check the box next to "Show hidden files, folders, and drives."
Show hidden folders on Mac
Open Finder by clicking the Finder icon in your dock (the blue and white face icon at the bottom of your screen). Press Command, Shift, and the period key (.) all at the same time. Hidden files and folders will appear immediately in any Finder window you have open. Press the same three keys again to hide them.
This keyboard shortcut is temporary — it only affects what you see right now. When you close Finder and open it again, hidden items will be hidden again unless you press the shortcut a second time. If you want hidden items to stay visible permanently, open System Settings, click "Finder" in the sidebar, and toggle on "Show hidden files." You can then turn this setting off later without using the keyboard shortcut.
What you will see in hidden folders
Hidden folders contain files your operating system and applications need to run. On Windows, you will often see folders named "AppData," "ProgramData," and "System32." On Mac, common hidden folders include "Library" and ".config." These folders store user preferences, cache files, temporary data, and system settings.
You may also find hidden folders that start with a dot (.) on Mac computers — the dot itself is what marks them as hidden. Windows hidden folders are marked with a "Hidden" attribute that you cannot see just by looking at the folder name. Both systems use these markers to prevent accidental changes to critical files.
Finding a specific hidden folder or file
If you know the name of the hidden folder you need, use your computer's search function instead of browsing. On Windows, press the Windows key and type the folder name directly — the search will find hidden items even if you have not turned on the "Hidden items" view. On Mac, press Command and Space to open Spotlight search, then type the folder name.
Search is faster than navigating through multiple directories, especially if the folder is buried several levels deep. If the search does not find what you are looking for, the folder may not exist on your computer, or it may be named differently than you expect.
When to look in hidden folders
Look in hidden folders when an application stores its settings in a location you cannot find through the normal menus. For example, if you want to back up your browser bookmarks or email settings, they are usually stored in hidden application folders. You might also need to access hidden folders to delete leftover files from an uninstalled program, or to find temporary files that are taking up disk space.
System administrators and people troubleshooting software problems often need to view hidden folders to access log files or configuration files. If you are following instructions from a support article or technician, they may ask you to navigate to a hidden folder to check or change a setting.
Important: Do not delete system folders
Once hidden folders are visible, they look and behave like any other folder — you can open, copy, or move them. However, deleting certain hidden folders will break your operating system or cause applications to stop working. System folders like "System32" on Windows or "System" on Mac should never be deleted or modified unless you are following specific instructions from a trusted source.
If you are unsure whether a folder is safe to delete, leave it alone. The safest approach is to look at what you need without making changes. If you do accidentally delete a hidden system folder, you may need to reinstall your operating system to fix the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my computer hide these folders in the first place?
Hidden folders protect system files and application settings from accidental deletion or modification. Most people do not need to change these files, so hiding them reduces clutter and prevents mistakes. You can unhide them whenever you need to, but the default is to keep them out of sight.
If I turn on "Show hidden items," will it slow down my computer?
No. Showing hidden folders does not affect your computer's speed or performance. It only changes what appears in File Explorer or Finder. You can leave this setting on permanently without any negative effects.
Can I hide folders again after I have unhidden them?
Yes. On Windows, uncheck the "Hidden items" box in the View tab of File Explorer. On Mac, press Command, Shift, and period (.) again to toggle hidden items back to invisible. You can switch between showing and hiding as many times as you want.
What if I cannot find a folder I am looking for in the hidden folders?
Use your computer's search function to look for it by name. If the search does not find it, the folder may not exist on your computer, or it may be stored in a location you do not have permission to access. Check the instructions you are following to make sure you have the correct folder name.
Is it safe to copy files from hidden folders?
Yes, copying files is safe. Moving or deleting them can cause problems, but making a copy does not change anything on your computer. This is a good way to back up application settings or configuration files before making changes.