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GeraldCollins's avatar
GeraldCollins
Iron Contributor
Aug 13, 2026

Win11 Show hidden items checkbox in File Explorer toolbar disappears after system restart

When you enable Show hidden items on the File Explorer toolbar, the setting takes effect only for the current session; it will be reset to the unchecked state after the system restarts. The same applies to the option to toggle file name extensions.

After updating folder view settings in File Explorer Options, the preferences will not be retained after a restart.

device management
Features

2 Replies

  • Ortega's avatar
    Ortega
    Copper Contributor
    Aug 14, 2026

    This repairs corrupted system files that might affect user settings.

  • Jamony's avatar
    Jamony
    MCT
    Aug 13, 2026

    Those File Explorer choices are per-user preferences and should normally survive a restart. Microsoft’s supported locations are View > Show > Hidden items and View > Show > File name extensions, so the reset suggests something is rewriting your profile rather than the options being session-only. Enable both, close Explorer, reopen it, and recheck before restarting. If the device is work-managed, ask IT whether Group Policy or MDM enforces Explorer settings. Otherwise, disable shell customizers or cleanup utilities and perform a clean boot to identify a program resetting them at sign-in. Create a new local user and test there; if the settings persist, the original profile is damaged. If they reset in every profile, install current Windows updates, then run DISM and sfc /scannow from an elevated Command Prompt. Avoid repeatedly editing registry values until policy and profile scope are known, because the same process may overwrite them agai