How to View Hidden Files and Folders on Linux

Linux is powerful, flexible, and straightforward—once you know your way around. But if you’re new to the system, one thing that trips people up is hidden files and folders. These are important for system settings and user configurations, but they’re tucked out of sight by default. Here’s how you can find and work with them.

What Are Hidden Files?

On Linux, hidden files and folders aren’t some mysterious, encrypted stash. They’re just files whose names start with a dot (.). For example:
.bashrc
.config/

This naming convention keeps things tidy. Most hidden files are settings or configuration files that you don’t need to see or edit every day.

Viewing Hidden Files in the Terminal

The terminal is your best friend on Linux. To see all files, including hidden ones, use the ls command with the -a flag.

ls -a

Here’s what happens:

• ls lists directory contents.
• -a tells it to include files starting with a dot.

Want a more detailed list? Use -la:

ls -la

You’ll see permissions, ownership, size, and more.

Viewing Hidden Files in a File Manager

Prefer a graphical approach? Every popular Linux file manager has a shortcut:

• Nautilus (GNOME Files): Press Ctrl + H
• Dolphin (KDE): Press Alt + . (dot)
• Thunar (XFCE): Press Ctrl + H
• Caja (MATE): Press Ctrl + H

Press the shortcut again to hide the files.

Why Are Files Hidden?

Hidden files protect critical settings from being accidentally changed or deleted. Most users don’t need to see these files unless they’re configuring something or troubleshooting.

How to Hide (or Unhide) Your Own Files

To hide a file or folder, rename it to start with a dot. For example:

mv myfile.txt .myfile.txt

To “unhide” it, remove the dot:

mv .myfile.txt myfile.txt

Final Tips

• Only edit hidden files if you know what you’re doing—changing the wrong config can break things.
• Backup files before you make changes.
• Remember the shortcuts: ls -a in the terminal or Ctrl + H in most file managers.

That’s all you need to unlock the hidden layer of your Linux system. Questions or tips of your own? Drop them in the comments!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!