Show Hidden Files

Ctrl + H

Clicking on this item toggles display of hidden files - on or off. Hidden files are those which have the hidden attribute set; they are usually masked from display if marked as hidden. This setting can be changed on a tab-by-tab basis; new tabs are created with this setting enabled.

In the Files pane (only), hidden files and folders are displayed with their accompanying icons ghosted (ie. washed out).

The Control Panel/Folder Options/View setting - Show (Do not show) hidden files and folders - has no effect on display of hidden items (see here); Explorer++ controls hidden visibility for itself.

Tip

System files and folders may be superhidden - that is, they have both the Hidden and System attribute set - and are not displayed, even if Show Hidden Files is checked. To allow superhidden files and folders to be affected by this function, you must uncheck the “Hide protected operating system files” setting in the Files and Folders tab of Explorer++’s options.

Display of superhidden files is contingent on a Windows system setting being enabled; you must uncheck the “Hide protected operating system files” setting in the Folder Options applet (View tab). The Folder Options applet is found in the Control Panel. Note that Explorer++ can control visiblility of ordinary hidden files (Hidden attribute, but not System attribute) without enabling the “Show hidden files and folders” option in the Control Panel.