Add “Show / Hide Hidden Files” Option in Desktop and Explorer Context Menu in Windows

Recently we posted a simple script to toggle “Show hidden files and folders” option in Windows:

Create Simple Script to Show / Hide Hidden Files and Folders in Windows

And now we’ll tell you how to add an option “Show / Hide Hidden Files” in Desktop and Explorer context menu (menu which appears when you right-click) to make the task faster and easier.

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Show_Hide_Hidden_Files_Option_Context_Menu.png

In Windows XP, you’ll need to right-click on a folder to get the option. In Windows Vista and later, you can right-click on an empty area in Explorer or Desktop to get the option.

HOW-TO:

Simply download following ZIP file, extract it and run the “Install.exe” file present in the “Windows XP” or “Windows Vista and 7” folders depending upon which Windows are you using.

Download Link

It’ll automatically install the required files and will ask you to add the option into Windows Registry, accept the confirmation by clicking on “Yes” button and then OK.

PS: If you receive any error message while running the installer, first take ownership of following key in Registry Editor:

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HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\shell

Now run the installer again and it’ll work without any problem.

Also check:

Published in: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

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  1. Is it possible to get a shortcut in contextmenu in Windows 7 what restarts your computer in safe mode?

  2. ^^ Sorry to say but I dont think there is any direct command to boot into Safe mode which can be used to create an entry into context menu.

  3. This is almost perfect, but for some reason the ‘Show / Hide …” item is appearing between “Paste” and “Paste Shortcut” in the Context Menu instead of below it as in the picture. Any way to fix the order? I know, picky, but it just makes sense for the two “Paste” items to be next to each other.

  4. It works after i enable this pop up “registry editing has been disabled by administrator”
    if not i might format the laptop…
    thank you so much.

  5. Hey Vishal, i want ask that how to combine the following commands:

    1. [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\Making.System.File]
    @=”Make System File\\Folder”

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\Making.System.File\command]
    @=”cmd.exe /c attrib +s +h /s /d”
    “IsolatedCommand”=”cmd.exe /c attrib +s +h /s /d”

    2. [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\Unmaking.System.File]
    @=”Unmake System File\\Folder”

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\Unmaking.System.File\command]
    @=”cmd.exe /c attrib -s -h /s /d”
    “IsolatedCommand”=”cmd.exe /c attrib -s -h /s /d”

    The thing is i want it to be just like your “Show / Hide Hidden Files” VB Script.
    Your guidance is required, coz its a bit complicated.

  6. question
    when i click start,the run ,is not seen,where is it hiding ,i know its there as i used almost a year ago when i was in hospital
    thank
    u
    ken

  7. ^^ You can open Taskbar Properties and there you can add Run to Start Menu. If you don’t want to add this, you can directly launch RUN by pressing WIN+R keys together.

  8. Hey Vishal, i want ask that how to combine the following commands:

    1. [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\Making.System.File]
    @=”Make System File\\Folder”

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\Making.System.File\command]
    @=”cmd.exe /c attrib +s +h /s /d”
    “IsolatedCommand”=”cmd.exe /c attrib +s +h /s /d”

    2. [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\Unmaking.System.File]
    @=”Unmake System File\\Folder”

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\Unmaking.System.File\command]
    @=”cmd.exe /c attrib -s -h /s /d”
    “IsolatedCommand”=”cmd.exe /c attrib -s -h /s /d”

    The thing is i want it to be just like your “Show / Hide Hidden Files” VB Script.
    Your guidance is required, coz its a bit complicated.

    Kindly reply to my question, i really need help!!!

  9. ^^ You just need to create 2 .REG files, one to make system file and the other to reset system attribute. Then you can call the batch files using batch script.

  10. @BlueSnickaloaf

    It’s not really needed in W10, the feature already exists on the view menu toolbar unless of course you prefer the right-click option.

  11. Hi guys, If installed in a non-default directory, it fails to execute.
    I add to edit the registry to point to my directory (C:\progra~2\ShowHidden\***.vbs)
    Also I changed “cmd.exe /c start C:\Progra~2\ShowHidden\Show_Hidden_Files_On_Off.vbs” by “wscript C:\Progra~2\ShowHidden\Show_Hidden_Files_On_Off.vbs”

    Still works on Windows 10

  12. VG 🙂
    Wizard installer offers “browse” to install location, … BUT … Command HKEY value string in { Show_Hidden_Files_On_Off.vbs } has absolute path value as { C:\\Show_Hidden_Files_On_Off.vbs } …
    … which would be OK “IF” user ignores the “Browse” opportunity.

    But I dont like any files on C:\ … and prefer to install programs in one of my 2 program folders
    C:\Prog2
    C:\PortableProgs

    Obviously fussy users (like moi!) would have to hack { Show_Hidden_Files_On_Off.vbs } to change the path to VBS file to suite my preffered installation folder.
    A shame the VBS path is not relative ?

    Thank for your fine work …

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