How to hide (or unhide) files on Windows 11
Yes, you can hide virtually any file you want, and here’s how on Windows 11.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
OnWindows 11, even though you always lock access to your desktop and files behind your account name and password, you can always find reasons to hide files and folders. For instance, you created a program, and you want to protect the files by making them invisible to prevent users from accidentally deleting some of the files. Or you have specific documents or videos you want to make a little more private.
Regardless of the situation, Windows 11 includes multiple ways to hide one or multiple files and folders using File Explorer or commands with PowerShell or Command Prompt.
Thishow-to guidewill walk you through the steps to hide (and unhide) specific files and folders on Windows 11.
How to hide files and folders from File Explorer on Windows 11
To hide files and folders on File Explorer, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the contents will remain hidden as long as you don’t enable the show hidden option on File Explorer.
You can always access the hidden contents using the full path to the folder or file. Alternatively, on File Explorer, open the"View"menu, select the"Show"submenu, and check the"Hidden items"option.
Show files and folders
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
To revert the change and show files and folders again, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the system will remove the hidden attribute from the files and folders, making them visible again.
How to hide files and folders from Command Prompt on Windows 11
To hide files and folders with Command Prompt or PowerShell, use these steps:
In the command, update the path with the location to your files.
In the command, replace"SECRET-FILES"with the name of your folder or file. Quotation marks are only necessary when there are spaces in the name.
Once you complete the steps, the hidden attribute will only apply to the folder. However, the files and subfolders inside the folder will still be visible to anyone who knows the path.
Hide subfolders
To hide a folder with files and subfolders, use these steps:
In the command, replace"SECRET-FILES-LOCATION"with the name of your hidden folder.
After you complete the steps, the command will apply the settings to the items, making them hidden.
Show files and folders
To show files and folders with Command Prompt or PowerShell, use these steps:
In the command, update the path with the location of your files.
In the command, replace"SECRET-FILES"with the name of your folder or file. Quotation marks are only necessary when there are spaces in the name.
Once you complete the steps, the command will remove the hidden attributes, making them visible again on Windows 11.
Remove hidden attribute
To remove the hidden attribute for files and subfolders inside of a folder with commands on Windows 11, use these steps:
In the command, replace"SECRET-FILES"with the name of your hidden folder.
After you complete the steps, the command will remove the attribute from the files and subfolders in the path.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
