In this tutorial you will see how to show hidden files in Windows XP. All Windows versions hide certain files to protect the data from being tampered with or destroyed accidentally. These files are invisible to a computer user until they choose to show hidden files. However sometimes we need to access these hidden files or folders. For example some programs store their files in a folder called application data, which is hidden in Windows Xp and Windows Vista and Seven. If you want to see these hidden files you will have to change settings in Windows. If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7 you can also un hide “supper hidden” files: please see how to show supper hidden files, the supper hidden kind.
In this tutorial we just want to show hidden files in Windows in order to complete a task or find a specific file.
How to show hidden files in Windows XP
- Go to the Start menu at the bottom left corner.
- Choose My Computer.
- Go to the menu at the top and choose Tools, then choose Folder options.
- Choose View from the tabs at the top.
- Scroll down the list and find the Hidden files and folders section. Choose to show hidden files and folders.
- Then press Apply and then OK.
Now you know how to show hidden files in Windows!
Reasons why you need to show hidden files in Windows XP
- Sometimes you need to show hidden files in Windows so you can backup hidden settings or folders. For example, your Outlook express folders are in hidden files.
- We need to see hidden files to change certain settings on a computer.
See more Windows XP Tips
How to show hidden files in Windows Vista and Windows 7?
And the instructions are the same as the above tutorial if you want to show hidden files in Windows Vista and Windows 7. There is one tiny difference though, as the tools menu is not shown by default unless you press that ALT key on the keyboard.
As You can see in the screen shot below, I have pressed on the ALT key on the keyboard to show the file, edit, view, help menu. Then I pressed on tools, which is the same as the above tutorial and then chose folder options.
I always like to show hidden files in Windows XP, or any other version of Windows that I’m using. However this is not always recommended for new computer users as they might accidentally delete the wrong folder or file. These files and folders are hidden for a reason and that is why you should not show hidden files in Windows and less you really have to.
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Mitz – who has written 728 posts on Computer Tips.
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Do hidden files account for the fact that I can’t backup properly to a USB. I have tried a normal backup, but when I’ve changed a document and then done a differential backup,it does not change on the USB. I have had to manually drag the revised file into the USB in order to see the change. This defeats the purpose of backing up.
I am running Windows XP home edition, and I had to download a backup utility.
Can you please help? Thank you.
It sounds like it is not copying the file over because it sees that it already exists on the USB drive. I’m not sure what backup settings you are using, however there must be a setting somewhere to overwrite any existing files. Or there might be a setting that will backup any files that have been changed recently.
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