Show Hidden System Files via Windows Registry

This guide explains the exact Windows Registry value responsible for controlling the visibility of protected operating system files in File Explorer. By modifying this specific setting in the Registry Editor (Regedit), users and administrators can quickly toggle the display of critical system files across the operating system without navigating the standard File Explorer options interface.

The Registry Key and Value

The visibility of protected operating system files (also known as “super hidden” files) is controlled by a DWORD value named ShowSuperHidden.

The exact location in the Windows Registry is:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Value Data Settings

The ShowSuperHidden entry uses a 32-bit DWORD with the following binary states:

• Value Data 1: Protected operating system files are visible in File Explorer.
• Value Data 0: Protected operating system files are hidden (default Windows behavior).

Step-by-Step Instructions to Modify the Value

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3. In the right pane, locate the DWORD value named ShowSuperHidden. If it does not exist, right-click an empty area, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it ShowSuperHidden.
4. Double-click ShowSuperHidden, set the Value data to 1 to show system files (or 0 to hide them), and click OK.
5. Restart Windows Explorer or refresh the active Explorer window for the changes to take effect.

Difference Between Hidden Files and System Files

Windows differentiates between standard hidden files and critical operating system files:

• ShowSuperHidden controls protected operating system files (e.g., desktop.ini, ntuser.dat, boot configuration files).
• Hidden controls standard hidden files and folders located under the same registry key (1 = Show hidden files, 2 = Do not show hidden files).

To view all system-level files completely, both Hidden must be set to 1 and ShowSuperHidden must be set to 1.