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After installing Win 7 or Win 8.1, securing your data is vital. Concealing folders and ensuring data security in Windows is a common practice for regular computer users. However, revealing hidden folders and files in Windows 7 or Windows 8, 8.1 is a straightforward task.
For new computer users, hiding important or sensitive folders and files may be unfamiliar. Revealing hidden folders and sensitive files in Windows 7 or Windows 8, 8.1 can be easily accomplished using the built-in feature in Folder Options.
If you prefer using software, consider Secure Folder as a handy tool for locking folders, ensuring the safest protection for your data. After hiding, to review, you need to configure the display of hidden files and folders as explained below the article.
Guidelines for Setting up Hidden Folders and Concealing Files, Folders in Windows 7, 8, 8.1
Mytour provides instructions on hiding and revealing files and folders on Windows 8 and 8.1 operating systems. For Windows 7, similar steps can be followed to hide files and folders in Windows Explorer.
1. Hide Files, Hide Folders
- Note
- To hide a file in Windows 7, you need to be an administrator with appropriate permissions for that file or folder.
Step 1: Identify the folder, file, or data you want to hide, then right-click and select Properties.
Alternatively, you can press the Alt+ Enter key combination to quickly access the Properties dialog for the file or folder you want to hide in Windows 7, 8, 8.1.
Step 2: In the appearing command box, go to the General option under Attributes. Then, check the Hidden box, press Apply to confirm hiding the file in Windows 7, 8, 8.1. This command allows you to both hide and reveal the selected hidden file in Windows 7 or 8.
A new command box appears; press OK to confirm the changes when hiding files in Windows.
Note: If you only want to hide the selected file, click the first option: Apply changes to this folder only. If you want to hide all folders, including the parent, child folders, and files within, tick the second option: Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files. Press OK to confirm all changes.
After confirming the file hiding in Windows 7, 8, 8.1, you won't be able to view or access those folders or files anymore. This means the file has been successfully hidden in Windows.
2. How to reveal hidden files or folders on Windows 7, 8, 8.1
To view, edit, and reveal the recently hidden file or folder in Windows Explorer, follow the instructions below:
Method 1: Use Customization in Folder Options to Reveal Hidden Files (Applicable to Windows 7, 8, 8.1)
Note that revealing hidden files and folders in Windows 7, 8, 8.1 using Method 1 may take some time, so you can consider the second method below for faster results. However, the initial approach is advantageous for editing other functions of your computer's folder.
Step 1: Press the Windows + R key combination, then type Control and press OK. The Control Panel interface appears; find and access Folder Options.
Step 2: Switch to the View tab on the Windows Explorer menu. Then, locate the Show/Hide option.
Now you can view, inspect, and edit the file that you previously hid within the folder's options.
Method 2: Utilize the Provided Option in Windows Explorer (Applicable to Windows 8 and 8.1)
Step 1: Access Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder where you want to display the hidden file in Windows 8, 8.1.
Step 2: Navigate to the View tab on the Windows Explorer menu. Then, locate the Show/Hide option.
Step 3: In the Show/Hide section, check the Hidden Items box to display hidden files in Windows 8, 8.1. Note that when you check this box, by default, all hidden files on your computer will be visible, even on the desktop. If you find it cluttered, you can revert to hiding files and folders in Windows 8, 8.1 as before.
Here, we have just performed with you the steps to set up hiding and revealing folders and files on Windows. With this trick, you can easily and quickly hide and reveal important folders without installing any additional software. Additionally, you can explore how to hide folders with Free Hide Folder to secure essential documents.
If you're using Windows 10, refer to the method of hiding files on Win 10 search to keep your data from being found through the system search feature. Hiding files on Win 10 search is quite effective and widely used.
