How to Create & View Hidden Files in Windows 11

This instruction set is intended to help those who are beginners to computer file management or cybersecurity. This will teach you how to create hidden files in Windows 11, meaning the files will not be visible in a computer's typical default view. Having any of your files be hidden is a great way to get a start in making your computer more secure. All you will need for this is a computer with the Windows 11 operating system installed.

Computer with Windows 11 installed

Turn on your PC with Windows 11 installed.

Once your computer is turned on, click on the little file folder icon to open File Explorer. It should be located in your taskbar at the bottom of your screen. If it is not there, click on the Windows button located in the bottom left of your taskbar and type "File Explorer". Click on the File Explorer application when it appears.

Use File Explorer to navigate to the desired spot you want your file to be in. The sidebar on the left will show you different possible locations for it. Alternatively, the bar at the top will tell you what folders and subfolders you might be looking at currently.

Near the top left corner of File Explorer, click on the "New" button. A drop-down list of file types should appear. Select a file type by clicking on it.

Once you have created your file, right click on it. A drop-down list of options will show up. Click on the option with the wrench icon that says "Properties".

In the menu that appears after clicking "Properties," you should automatically be at the General tab. To know what tab you are at, look at the top of the menu. Towards the bottom, there is an Attributes section with an option box that says "Hidden." Click on this box and a checkmark symbol will fill it.

Click on the "Apply" button to finally make your file hidden. Your changes are saved so feel free to close the file's Properties menu.

It may now look like the file is not there anymore, meaning the option to view hidden files is not enabled for your computer. To enable it, look for a "View" option that is located towards the middle of the top of File Explorer. Click on it to open a list of options.

At the bottom of the list of options under "View," hover over the "Show" tab, where another menu will appear to the right of it. There will be an option at the bottom of that menu called "Hidden Items" with an eye symbol next to it. Click on the option. Your hidden file will now be visible.

Congratulations! You have now learned how to create hidden files as well as view them in Windows 11. If you would like to make your file not hidden anymore, simply repeat steps 5 through 7. If the checkmark from step 6 is no longer in the box, then your file is no longer hidden. Additionally, if you would like to toggle being able to view hidden files, then you can repeat steps 8 and 9. If the option to view hidden files is enabled, then a checkmark will be next to the eye symbol from Step 9; otherwise, no symbol will be next to the eye.