Windows 10: unknown hidden files??

I think I'm asking in the right place.I'm going through files to find and remove duplicates. I generally check the size and feel comfortable deleting if size and a quick glance show the same thing. I found two that weren't quite the same size, so I compared file by file. The files were all exactly the same... except when I opened properties one folder showed 13 files correct and the other showed 14. Apparently there is a hidden file, so I went to the folder properties to turn on "Show hidden files." It was already on, so I turned it off and then on again. I still see only 13 files and it sti

:)

 

All hidden files turned Un-hidden

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community and being part of Windows 10.

I suggest you to re-add them to the hidden items list and check.

Steps:

• Right click on the folders to hide, select Properties.
• Go to General tab, under Attributes check mark the option
  Hidden.
• Click on Apply and on Ok.

I suggest you not to use any third party anti-virus software. Try to use Windows Defender.

Refer: Using Windows Defender

Hope it helps. Feel free to contact us for further assistance on Windows Operating System, we will be happy to help you.

 

Recovering Hidden Files

Well, you have already said that you had tried the cmd option but you unable to unhide hidden files in USB.
So, I recommend you to recover hidden files from USB drive with Windows File Option. For this, you
have follow these steps:

• First of all, you have to press Windows + E to bring up the Windows Explorer.
• Next, in Folder Options or File Explorer Options click the
  View tab
• After this, in Hidden files & folders, you need to click the Show hidden files/folders & drives
  option.
• Lastly, click the Apply, then hit OK
  button.

After finishing all these steps, you can see the hidden files of the USB drive.

 

Hidden files not behaving properly

Sorry for the delay in responding; I had to deal with some other things along the way!

I ran Step 5 and got this:



Then I restarted Windows. When I got back into my folder, it looked the same as before and the hidden file was still invisible but this time, when I went into Folder Options, the "don't show hidden files, folders and drives" radio button was selected. I simply clicked the "show hidden files, folders and drives" radio button, clicked on Apply and my hidden file finally reappeared!

Thanks for your help with this!!

I'm still curious about why this functionality broke suddenly but I've got lots of other things on my plate so I think I'll get back to them.

Thanks again!