How to Show Hidden Files in Linux

Last Updated: August 15, 2017 Tested

Just starting out in linux and can't see your secret/configuration files in the file manager? Having the same problem while using the terminal emulator? Here's the answer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Inside the File Manager

1
Open the File Manager.
- Depending on your desktop environment, the steps for doing this vary.
2
Click the menu button related to View settings.
- In most File Managers, this is called View.
- In others, it might be a button with no name. In such a scenario, click to see all of the buttons available.
3
Check the option which says Show Hidden Files from the drop down menu.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
From the terminal emulator

1
Open the terminal emulator. Either Ctrl+Alt+t or clicking its icon will do.
2
Navigate to your desired directory using 'cd ' and 'ls'.
- Use ls to see your directory contents.
- Use cd [directory_name] to change directories.
3
Type "ls -a" (without quotes) to see all files, hidden and unhidden.