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.

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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
    2012-03-13T20:40:15+00:00

    Agreed.  They are that damned stupid.

    Apparently they want to change every thing that already works.

    Frustrating.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-13T20:45:08+00:00

    >There is only one way to do it

    Yes, and that way DOESN'T work.  If you need to break something as basic as searching, can't you do it properly?

    I am looking for Word templates.  I can see them in Word, but this search can't find them?

    I have come to the conclusion that Microsoft purposely breaks things that work.  Ribbon ribbon ribbon.

    Damn.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-03-25T22:45:53+00:00

    Unbelievable, come back XP at least I could find stuff, a

    Is there any decent file search programs out that can be recommended??

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-03-25T23:12:19+00:00

    The best of win xp with something else. if you handle a lot of files, the pro version is worth it: http://www.mythicsoft.com/page.aspx?type=filelocatorlite&page=home

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