This post shows students and new users how to show hidden files and file name extensions in File Explorer when using Windows 11 desktop.
Windows Files Explorer gives you the ability to hide and unhide files at will. Some file and file extensions are hidden by default in Windows.
When a file is hidden, it is hidden from File Explorer normal views, but it is still there in its folder. You won’t be able to see the file just by browsing the folder, this a great in that important files are kept out of plain sight.
If you want to see all hidden files in a folder, go to that folder and either click the view options button in the toolbar and pick Show hidden items.
Also, for students and new users who want to learn how to use Windows, the easiest place to start is Windows 11. Windows 11 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft. Windows 11 is the successor to Windows 10 and it’s expected to be released later this year.
How to show hidden files in Windows 11
By default, not all files are displayed in the normal File Explorer views. Some files are hidden while others are not. If you want to view hidden files in File Explorer, follow the guide below.
There are multiple ways to show hidden files in File Explorer. You can use the File Explorer command bar or File Explorer options.
To show hidden file, open File Explorer then click on the ‘Layout and view options’ icon present on the File Explorer ribbon.
Then, hover over the ‘Show’ option on the overlay menu and select ‘Hidden items’ option to show hidden files and folders.
This will show hidden files and folders in File Explorer.
Another way to unhide hidden file is using File Explorer Option from the ribbon menu. To do that, click on the ellipsis (three horizontal dots) on the File Explorer ribbon, then select ‘Options’ from the overlay menu.
When the Folder Options open, select the View tab and choose the highlighted option shown below to Show hidden files, folders and drivers.
Click OK and apply and that should do it!
How to show file name extensions in File Explorer
You can also show file name extensions in File Explorer when using Windows 11. File name extension is how Windows identify files and recommend the correct program to use to open and view the files. File name extensions also help user to identify files and which program to use to open and read the files.
By default, file name extensions are hidden in Windows 11. However the steps to show hidden file extension is similar to the steps above for showing hidden files.
To show hidden file extensions, open File Explorer then click on the ‘Layout and view options’ icon present on the File Explorer ribbon. Then, hover over the ‘Show’ option on the overlay menu and select ‘File name extensions’ option to show hidden files and folders.
You can also use File Explorer Option from the ribbon menu to view file name extensions. To do that, click on the ellipsis (three horizontal dots) on the File Explorer ribbon, then select ‘Options’ from the overlay menu.
Then on the Folder Options, select the View tab and under Advanced settings, uncheck or deselect the line the reads Hide extensions for known file types.
Click OK to apply your changes and exit.
That should do it!
Conclusion:
This post showed you how to show hidden file and file name extensions in Windows 11. If you find any error above please use the comment form below to report.
