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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

55 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-09-06T15:47:54+00:00

    Open up the good old command prompt.

    Start in Upper level directory

    dir /s /p partofname*.*

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-10-23T19:35:50+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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-10-27T16:16:56+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for sharing the information.

    If you have any more queries, you can always post here at Microsoft Answers.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2011-10-29T17:46:26+00:00
    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

    There's no such option when typing "Search" in the Start box.  There's a "Change how Windows searches..." but that has no View tab.

    And I still can't find how to search hidden files.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments