This wikiHow teaches you how to "forcefully show" hidden files on a USB flash drive so you can open them. You can follow this process on Windows and Mac computers.
Step
Method 1 of 2: For Windows
Step 1. Connect the USB drive to the computer
Insert the driver into one of the flat rectangular ports on the main body of the computer.
If you're using a desktop computer, the USB ports are generally on the front or back of the CPU case
Step 2. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Type this pc
After that, the computer will look for the program or folder “This PC”.
Step 4. Click This PC
This computer monitor icon appears at the top of the “Start” window. After that, the “This PC” page will open.
Step 5. Open the fast USB driver
Find the driver name in the "Devices and drives" section in the middle of the page, then double-click the driver icon.
If you do not see the driver, remove the driver from the computer and reconnect it to a different USB port
Step 6. Click the View tab
It's in the top-left corner of the speed booster window. After that, a menu bar will appear at the top of the File Explorer window.
Step 7. Check the box " Hidden items"
Click the box to the left of the " Hidden items " option in the " Show/hide " section of the menu bar. After that, a check mark will be added to the " Hidden items " box and hidden files on the USB drive will be displayed.
- If there is a check mark in the "Hidden items" box, the USB driver has already shown hidden files.
- Hidden files are usually displayed in faded or more transparent icons than regular files.
Step 8. Double-click the hidden file you want to open
After that, the file will be opened and you will be able to see its contents.
If the file you want to open is a system file, you may not be able to complete the file opening process
Method 2 of 2: For Mac
Step 1. Connect the USB drive to the computer
Insert the driver into one of the flat rectangular ports on the main body of the computer.
- If you're using an iMac, you'll find the USB port on the side of your keyboard or on the back of your iMac's display.
- Not all Mac computers come with a USB port. If you're using a newer Mac computer that doesn't have a USB port, you'll need to purchase a USB to USB-C adapter kit.
Step 2. Click Go
This menu option is in the upper-left corner of your computer screen. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
If you don't see the option " Go ”, click the desktop or open a Finder window first (marked with a blue face icon in the Dock).
Step 3. Click Utilities
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu “ Go ”.
Step 4. Double click
"Terminals".
You may need to scroll down until you reach the “Utilities” folder to find the option.
Step 5. Enter the command "show hidden items"
Type defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES into the Terminal window, then press Return.
Step 6. Close and reopen the Finder window if it is still open
If the Finder window is still open, close it and reopen it to update the settings.
You can also enter the command killall Finder in a Terminal window to close Finder automatically
Step 7. Click the name of the USB driver
The name of the driver will appear in the lower-left corner of the Finder window. After that, the USB driver's contacts will be displayed, including the hidden files and folders stored in it.
Step 8. Double-click the hidden file or folder
Hidden files are marked with an icon that looks more faded when compared to a regular file or folder icon. Just double-click the file or folder to open it.
