How to Recover Hidden Files
Summary: Highlights of this blog are recovery of accidently or unknowingly deleted folders which hold the hidden files. It will let you know, how you can easily get your deleted hidden files back with Do-It-Yourself Stellar Free data recovery software.
In Windows, one can choose to hide sensitive and confidential files via the File Explorer’s View setting. The feature also comes handy when a user needs to view hidden files and folders in an internal or external drive.
However, sometimes users accidentally delete the folder that contained the hidden files, and thus, lose access to their critical files permanently.
Did you know: Human errors are the second most common reason for data loss across the globe!
Also, there may be a case wherein a user has not been able to view the hidden files at all. The drive shows volume occupied, but when it’s opened with ‘View Hidden Files’ turned on from settings, the files and folders remain invisible. One may also see the shortcuts to the files and folders.
In this guide, we are going to show how to unhide and recover the deleted hidden files in Windows PC. And, also, discuss a few measures to prevent data loss due to accidentally deleting the hidden folders.
Recover Deleted Hidden Files in Windows
Try out the following methods to recover deleted hidden files and also prevent the system or drive from hiding the files again.
1. Run hidden file recovery software (Recommended)
If you accidentally deleted the folder containing hidden files, then a data recovery software is the only solution that can help.
A recovery software such as the Stellar Data Recovery can be used to recover deleted hidden files quickly. In just 3-simple steps, you can restore hidden files deleted from any storage media or folder.
- Select the file types to recover/unhide.
- Choose the folder location or the drive where the hidden files were located
- Click Scan and then Recover to save the recovered hidden files at the desired location
Besides restoring hidden files and folders on a Windows PC, the software also recovers deleted and lost files. It can even unhide and retrieve data from the deleted or missing partitions.
Moreover, a data recovery tool keeps the data protected from accidental deletion, which is more common. Think of it as a necessary utility just like a backup or system cleaner app.
2. Use Command Prompt
Go to the folder location or volume where files are hidden and then follow these steps:
- Hold the Shift key and right click at the location
- Select ‘Open command window here.’
- Type or paste following command
attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.* - Replace X with the drive letter that contains hidden files and press ‘Enter.’
- Wait for a while and then reconnect the drive to view hidden files
Also, run a scan using Windows Defender tool or any other third party malware or anti-virus tool.
3. Run CHKDSK
To repair file system errors and logical issues with the drive, run CHKDSK command via command prompt by following these steps:
- Open command prompt
- Type the drive letter containing hidden files followed by column and press ‘Enter.’ e.g., D:
- Type chkdsk /r /f and press ‘Enter.’
- Wait for the process to finish, reconnect the drive or restart the system
Alternatively, use the error checking utility. To access it, right click on the drive, choose properties>Tools and click the ‘Check’ button under Error Checking.
4. Use the software that was used to hide/encrypt the files and folders
If you use software such as FileVault to encrypt and hide sensitive files, you must use the same software to decrypt and unhide them.
Such tools should be used cautiously as they can cause permanent data loss beyond recovery if you forget the password, force uninstalls the software or reinstall the Windows.
Conclusion
Hiding files and folders let you safeguard the data from prying eyes. It helps when you need to share the PC with someone but doesn’t want them to know what files are there in the system. However, sometimes malware or virus infection can cause a similar effect and may hide critical files and folder. You might see shortcuts of the files instead of the actual files. Not to mention, accidental deletions are common.
Encryption software can also lead to the invisible or hidden files situation. In all such cases, take help of a data recovery software. Software such as Stellar Data Recovery facilitates hidden file recovery and restores lost or deleted files from all kinds of Windows-supported storage media.
Hi Aruna,
I accidentally deleted my hidden folder & now I am unable to retrieve it back. Can you please help me out?
Hi,
I deleted a folder which contain some hidden files. But I lost during cleaning my desktop. Will stellar work for me?
Hello Priyansh,
Stellar Data Recovery is DIY software which has powerful scan engine. It tracks every single sector of storage drive and recovers data efficiently. So you can try this and if you see your deleted files in preview then you can recover it. Thanks
Please I need help I hide some photos in one file on my pc then I delete this file and now I can’t recover it this pictures it’s mean for me.No app can’t fix it. So Please I need help
Hello MarKo,
You can download the free trial version of Stellar Data Recovery and run on your machine. Then choose the deep scan option. If you see your lost files in the preview, you can recover it. Thanks
I hide some folder on desktop. I used to store my personal data that folder. But suddenly it show no files. Please help me get back my data.
Hi,
You can try Stellar Data Recovery program which will help you recover your hidden files in an efficient way. Thanks.
Hi, I applied 2nd tips using command prompt to recover my hide file. This tips worked for me. Thank you so much.
Hello James,
It’s our pleasure to serve you better. Keep reading for more informative blogs.
Recovered files after reformatting the entire system. Stellar is good enough for me…hmmm i’m feeling like a detective now. Thanks author!
Hi Bessie,
We really appreciate that you are feeling good after using Stellar Data Recovery.
Hello Aruna,
I had folder on desktop. In which my personal or important files were present. I hidden the folder and sometime later I updated my windows. I forgot to keep those folder to another partition. So can I recover my those folder using Stellar Data Recovery?
Hi Emerson,
you can use Stellar Data Recovery Standard for Windows. You can recover your folder using this software. You can also check your folder before recover using preview option. Thanks.
I accidentally deleted a folder which contains some confidential hidden files which are also password protected. I would like to know, can I recover those files by following the above steps?
Hello Sandra,
Yes, You can recover your accidentally deleted hidden/encrypted data by following the 1st method. In case, if it not works then you can try method no. 4.
Stellar Data Recovery software has a great rate of retrieving hidden & lost files.
Hello Kristopher,
Appreciate the good words around Stellar Windows Data Recovery software.
I rarely seen such type of informative article around hidden files recovery. Additionally I would happy to test the software in near future.
Hello Omar,
Happy to know that you read the post. Please share the feedback anytime in future.