How to view hidden files on Mac and Windows
Have you been staring at your computer screen in disbelief for several days now in search of that file that your friend told you he told you to keep an eye on but you just can’t find it? If this is the case, you don’t have to worry, your view is still flawless but most likely it is a hidden file that needs a specific procedure to be displayed. For view hidden files in fact it is necessary to carry out a whole series of specific steps but… do not be alarmed, these are very simple operations to carry out.
Before explaining how to view hidden files, however, I want to specify one thing. This type of file is present on both Windows and Mac but the procedure that must be carried out to make them visible differs depending on the operating system used.
Having defined this, if you are really willing to find out how to view hidden files, I therefore suggest you take a few minutes of free time, arm yourself with a minimum dose of attention and patience and do your utmost to read the following lines. You will see that the end of this guide will give me reason that it was absolutely not complicated.
View hidden files on Windows
If you want to find out how to view hidden files and use Windows 8 or 8.1, go to the environment Desktop of the operating system and open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the system tray.
Now go to the folder where there are the hidden files you want to view and select the tab View from File Explorer located at the top right. Put the check mark next to the item Hidden elements. At this point you should be able to see both hidden files and folders immediately.
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| Hidden files: How to view hidden files on Mac and Windows ©Aranzulla |
If in the toolbar of File Explorer you cannot see the entry Hidden elements try to maximize the window or click on the button Show / Hide. Once this is done you will find the option inside the menu that opens.
If you want to find out how to view hidden files and use Windows 7 or View the first thing you need to do is open any folder stored on your computer. Then click on the button Organize located at the top left and select the item Folder and search options from the menu that appears.
In the window that will open go to the tab, Visualization put the check mark next to the item View hidden folders, files, and drives and first click on Apply and then on OK to save changes and enable viewing of hidden files on Windows.
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| Hidden files: How to view hidden files on Mac and Windows ©Aranzulla |
If it is your intention to view hidden files on Windows XP open any folder on your computer and select the item Folder options from the menu Instruments. Now go to the tab Visualizationput the check mark next to the item View hidden files and folders and first click on Apply and then on OK to save the changes and activate the display of hidden files on your Windows.
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| Hidden files: How to view hidden files on Mac and Windows ©Aranzulla |
Keep in mind that no matter what version of Windows you are using once you enable the display of hidden files you can recognize such items very easily. These are in fact files with semi-transparent icons.
After completing the work on hidden files, you can restore the Windows default settings and hide these elements simply by unchecking the item that allowed you to enable the display of hidden system elements.
View hidden files on Mac
If you have a Mac and want to find out how to view hidden files you can use the Terminal OS X. To view hidden files on Mac then launch Terminal from the folder Other of the Launchpad or by pressing on the icon in the shape of a magnifying glass located on the menu bar at the top right, typing terminal and clicking on the first result displayed in the list, the one that is shown as The best.
Once the Terminal window is displayed, copy the string defaults write com. apple. finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE; killall Finder and paste it in the Terminal window and then press the button Enter computer keyboard. At this point, you should be able to view hidden files on Mac.
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| Hidden files: How to view hidden files on Mac and Windows ©Aranzulla |
Keep in mind that once you enable viewing of hidden files on Mac you can recognize such items very easily. These are in fact files with semi-transparent icons.
After completing the work on hidden files, you can deactivate their display again by accessing Terminal again, entering the string defaults write com. apple. finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE; killall Finder and press the button Enter on the Mac keyboard.
All changes are made to the system without the need for reboots or disconnections.