How to toggle Show/Hide hidden files in Windows through command line?

Solution 1:

Hidden files, folders or drives:

Add (or overwrite /f) the value Hidden to the registry key: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.

Show:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v Hidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Don't show:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v Hidden /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f

ToggleHiddenFiles.bat

REG QUERY "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v Hidden | Find "0x2"
IF %ERRORLEVEL% == 1 goto turnoff
If %ERRORLEVEL% == 0 goto turnon

goto end
:turnon
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v Hidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
goto end

:turnoff
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v Hidden /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
goto end

:end

Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)

Checked:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v ShowSuperHidden /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Unchecked:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v ShowSuperHidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

ToggleSystemFiles.bat

REG QUERY "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v ShowSuperHidden | Find "0x0"
IF %ERRORLEVEL% == 1 goto turnoff
If %ERRORLEVEL% == 0 goto turnon

goto end
:turnon
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v ShowSuperHidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
goto end

:turnoff
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v ShowSuperHidden /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
goto end

:end

Notes: Changes take place immediately. The program reg requires admin privileges, so run the batch files as administrator.

Solution 2:

The property to show/hide hidden files is managed in the registry, so you would simply need a .reg file that simply toggles this property. Here is how you do it through registry:

• Type “regedit“, then press “Enter“.
• Navigate to the following location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER --> Software --> Microsoft --> Windows --> CurrentVersion --> Explorer --> Advanced
• Set the value for “Hidden” to “1” to show hidden files, folders, and drives.
• Set the value to “2” to not show hidden files, folders, and drives.
• Set the value for “ShowSuperHidden” to “1” to show protected operating system files. Set the value to “2” to not show protected operating system files.

If you give me a bit of time, I will write the REG file and post it here. Edit: Steven seems to have posted an example script, so I won't build one.