Windows Vista: (Previous to SP1) From the Windows Start menu, click 'Search'.

Check the boxes, 'Search system folders', 'Search hidden files and folders' and 'Search subfolders', as shown above. In the window, scroll down and click 'More advanced options'. If you are using Windows XP or Vista you must enable searching for hidden files and folders in the search tool itself. If you are using Windows 2000, the instructions above will also enable searching hidden files and folders. Windows includes a built-in search tool that can be used to search for files and folders. This article includes detailed instructions for viewing hidden files and folders on Windows versions up through Windows 8.

Make sure you recheck this box after completing your task. This should only be needed in rare cases, such as showing certain system files. If you still can't see the hidden files, you may need to uncheck the 'Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)' box. You might also want to uncheck the 'Hide extensions for known file types' box, so that you can see the file extensions for all files. In Folder Options, click the 'View' tab and, under 'Hidden files and folders', select 'Show hidden files and folders' ('Show hidden files, folders, and drives' on Windows 7). If you want to permanently enable it click the Organize button, go to Layout and select Menu Bar.) You can temporarily enable the menu bar by pressing the key. (Note: Windows Vista disables the File/Edit/View/Tools/Help menu in Windows Explorer. You can access Folder Options from the 'Tools' menu in Windows Explorer (or 'My Computer') or from Windows Control Panel.

You can set Windows to show hidden files and folders by changing your 'View' settings in Folder Options, as shown here on Windows XP.

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