Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows XP

If ever need to have access to system files and are unable to find them, it may be because you’re hiding files and folders that have the hidden attribute. This tutorial will walk you through changing the settings that show these files and folders. Please bear in mind, that some of the files that this will allow you to see are system files and should not be played with unless you know what you are doing or have guidance, such as a tutorial.

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You can do these settings from any folder on your machine, but for the sake of this tutorial, I am creating a new folder on the desktop. To do this, right-click on the desktop, go to New, and then select Folder. This will create a new folder on the desktop and let you name it. You can name it whatever you would like.

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Once in the folder, go to the top of the screen and click on Tools and select Folder Options.

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The above window will open.

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Select the View tab to get to the screen with the settings we need to change.
On this screen you need to locate the Hidden file and Folder section and mark the Show Hidden Files and Folder radial. The click on Apply , and then click on OK on the next window. That concludes showing hidden files and folders. Thank-you for viewing this tutorial.