How to Show Hidden Files In Windows 95/98/NT

A Guide to Configure your PC to View all System Folders

© Dianna Monda

Apr 15, 2009

By default, Windows and Linux operating systems will maintain some hidden files and folders on the PC, in order to protect them from getting accidentally deleted or modified. These are typically critical system and program files, as well as user preferences.

This functionality, however, also represents a vulnerability that viruses and spyware can and do take advantage of to hide their presence in the system. In order to detect and delete this malware, then Windows will need to be reconfigured in order to make these files visible. Read on to learn how to do this on a Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT computer:

Showing Hidden Files For a Windows 95 Computer

The following steps should render previously hidden files visible:

1. Shut down all the programs that are open in order to get to the desktop.
2. Double click on the My Computer icon.
3. Click on the View menu at the top of the dialogue window that opens.
4. Select Options from the drop down menu.
5. Select the View tab in the new window that opens.
6. Scroll down the page to locate a radio button labeled: Show all files
7. Select the Show all files button.Click OK.
8. Shut the My Computer window.

Now the Windows 95 PC is configured to show all the hidden files and folders. For Windows 98 the steps are only a little different.

Showing Hidden Files For a Windows 98 Computer

For Windows 98 users, the following steps can be taken:

1. Shut all open programs to get to the desktop.
2. Double click on the My Computer icon.
3. Select the View menu, then select Folder Options.
4. Select the View tab in the new window that opens.
5. Scroll down the page to locate a radio button labeled: Show all files
6. Select theShow all files button and then click on Apply
7. Shut the My Computer window.

Now Windows 98 is configured to show all the hidden files and folders.

Showing Hidden Files For a Windows NT Computer

For NT, a similar process can be used, as these steps show:

1. Shut all open programs to get to your desktop.
2. Double click on your My Computer icon.
3. Click on the View menu, then you’ll select Options.
4. Select the View tab in the new window that opens.
5. Scroll down the page to locate a radio button labeled: Show all files
6. Select the Show all files button. Click OK.
7. Shut the My Computer window.

Now Windows NT is configured to show all the hidden files and folders.

Quick Tips

• Configuring Windows to show hidden system or program files can also come in handy if, for example, all the data has been deleted from a floppy disk, but the floppy’s Properties still indicate that there is still 100K disc space that’s being used up by hidden files.
• To hide the files and folders again, just go back into the Options dialog window and uncheck the Show all files radio button.

Configure your PC to View all System Folders

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