Windows 10: why is the windows 11 file explorer search option so hidden?

why is the windows 11 file explorer search option so hidden? It used to be easy in enter a modified date range.

:)

 

Only search for hidden files in Windows 11 File Explorer search bar

You can try the following search steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
   
2. Click on the search bar at the top right corner of the window.
   
3. Type "hidden:yes" (without the quotes) in the search bar and press Enter.
   
4. Windows will now search for all hidden files on your PC.
   

Note that this search will only show hidden files that are indexed by Windows. If you have files that are hidden but not indexed, they will not show up in the search results.

Or you can use the Command Prompt to search for hidden folders/files: Run Command Prompt as an administrator ("Win" logo key + "Q" to open Search box, type"Command Prompt", select "Run as administrator"), and copy and paste the following commands into the Command Prompt and press Enter to run one by one.

cd is used to switch to the target directory/folder, please replace it according to your situation.

 

Why is file explorer not searching hidden folders in the users folder?

Please pay attention: (shown in picture)

I've put a file in:
C:\Users\jorge\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles\

and the same file in:
C:\Users\anton\Documents

When I do a File Explorer search for this file in the users folder (c:\users) or inside a user's folder (such as c:\users\anton), it finds the file in Documents, but not in the AppData folder.

Yet, if I do the same search in C: it returns both files.

Hidden files are being shown (enabled in File Explorer: view > show hidden files). Appdata is not being indexed (it's listed in the exclusion list in Indexing options).

Same result in 2 different computers in 1903 and after updating to 1909

Any help much appreciated *Tongue




Solved!, see answer starting "I found why this is happening, it's quite simple...

 

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.