If you find that in your Windows computer the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option is either missing or unchecks itself every time you try to check it in the Folder Options dialog box, then here are a few steps you can try to enable it.
What is causing the “Show hidden files and folders” option to stop working?
When attacking computers, certain types of cyber threats disable the system’s ability to display hidden items in order to better camouflage themselves on Windows. This is why even if you go into your folder options, access the View tab, and select the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” radio button, the changes reset upon closing the dialog box.
Solution
Step 1 – Scan your PC for malware
If the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option does not work, the first and easiest solution is to check if your computer has a virus.
To scan your Windows PC for malware with Bitdefender, click the System Scanpane in the middle of the interface.
Step 2 – Restart the computer
Some disinfection routines performed by Bitdefender require a restart to complete. Therefore, if the hidden files settings are still missing after a Bitdefender scan, please restart your PC to make your hidden files visible again.
Click the Windows Start ⊞menu, click the
power button, and then selectRestart.
Step 3 – Show hidden files, folders, and drives
If, for some reason, scanning and rebooting does not fix the problem, follow the instructions below to display hidden files and folders in Windows:
ForWindows 10, Windows 11
- Click on the Windows⊞menu on your taskbar at the bottom of the screen and typefolder.
- SelectFile Explorer Optionsfrom the search results.
- Select theViewtab.
- UnderHidden files and folders,selectShow hidden files, folders, and drives. Then clickApply.
ForWindows 8, Windows 8.1
- Point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then selectSearch.
- Typefolderin the search box andselectFolder Optionsfrom the search results.
- Select theViewtab.
- UnderAdvanced settings, selectShow hidden files, folders, and drives, then clickApply.
ForWindows 7
- Click the Windows 7Start
button, then selectControl Panel. - Click onAppearance and Personalization.
- SelectFolder Options, then select theViewtab.
- UnderAdvanced settings, selectShow hidden files, folders, and drives, then clickApply.
button, then selectControl Panel.Was this article helpful?
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CONTACT BITDEFENDER SUPPORTI've got quite a bit of experience with Windows systems and troubleshooting various issues that arise. When it comes to the disappearance or unchecking of the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" option, it often signals a deeper problem, usually related to malware or malicious software tampering with system settings.
Cyber threats often target this functionality to hide their presence within a system. They manipulate settings to keep their files and activities concealed. This tactic is particularly effective because users trying to reveal hidden files through the Folder Options dialog box find that their changes revert upon closing the dialog.
To combat this, the article suggests a three-step process:
Step 1: Scan for Malware Using Bitdefender or a similar antivirus software, performing a system scan can detect and eliminate malware that might be causing the issue. Bitdefender's System Scan pane can help with this.
Step 2: Restart the Computer Some disinfection routines need a system reboot to complete. After running the antivirus scan, restarting the computer ensures that any changes take effect.
Step 3: Manually Show Hidden Files If the previous steps don't resolve the issue, manually revealing hidden files and folders through the Folder Options is recommended. The process varies slightly for different Windows versions, but generally involves accessing the Folder Options, going to the View tab, and selecting "Show hidden files, folders, and drives."
For Windows 10 and 11, it involves accessing the File Explorer Options from the search menu and setting the option under the View tab. For Windows 8 and 8.1, it requires navigating through Search to Folder Options, while for Windows 7, it's through the Control Panel.
The article offers these steps as a comprehensive guide to tackle the issue. It's important to note that if these steps don't work, seeking further assistance from Bitdefender support or a knowledgeable expert is recommended.
Understanding how malware can manipulate system settings to cloak itself is crucial in these situations. It's a common tactic used by various types of malware, from simple adware to more sophisticated ransomware or trojans. Taking preventive measures and having a reliable antivirus program can greatly reduce the chances of encountering such issues.
