Search for hidden files and folders in Windows 7

Anonymous
2010-01-26T18:40:43+00:00

How for an individual search do I tell the search process to examine hidden files and folders.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2010-01-27T17:56:36+00:00

Hi,

There is only one way to do it, Select the option Show hidden files from folder options and then search for the files using the start search box.

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type "search" in start search box.
  3. click "Change search options for files and folders".
  4. Now, Click on View tab .
  5. Under View,

       a)Select the radio button labeled Show hidden files, folders, and drives 

       b)Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.

       c)Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.

  1. Click on Apply and Ok.

For more information on search, click on the following link:

 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Advanced-tips-for-searching-in-Windows

 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Searching-in-Windows-frequently-asked-questions

 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Find-a-file-or-folder

Thanks and Regards:

Swati K- Microsoft Support Engineer

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-12-03T13:53:07+00:00

    FYI to anyone trying to use the Windows search function to search for ONLY files and folders with the Hidden attribute set use "attributes:34" in the search field.

    So for example if you wanted to search the system folder "Program Files" and its subfolders for only hidden files you would browse to the Programs Files folder and enter "* attributes:34" in the search box.

    Wow, this is great! Why doesn't Microsoft document this in the search documentation?

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-12T00:09:46+00:00

    Ido not have hidden file as a options in folders now what just trying to get rid oe yahoo search cannot fine it anywheir to deleat it.real pissed about NEW CONPUTER MAYBE?

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-10T18:21:53+00:00

    Didn't work, still cannot search for hidden files that I know are there because I can manually go to the file ad open it.

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