"System" refers to those folders that contain files used by various components of the computer's operating system. These folders are created during OS installation and cannot be deleted by the user. To restrict access to operating system files, the contents of the system catalogs are not displayed by the Windows OS file manager by default. However, this attitude is not difficult to change.
Instructions
Step 1
Start the Windows file manager by pressing the win + e hotkey combination assigned to this operation. This is not the only way - you can, for example, double-click the My Computer shortcut located on the desktop, or select Computer from the main menu on the Start button.
Step 2
If you are working with a computer using Windows 7 or Windows Vista, then on the left side of the Explorer window that opens, you should find the "Organize" button. Clicking on it opens the list in which you need to select the "Folder Options" item. As a result of this action, a separate utility window will open, designed to change the current settings of directories.
Step 3
If you are using Windows XP in an open Explorer window, open the "Tools" section in the menu. In it, the item that launches the same utility is named a little differently - "Folder Options". Select this item, and further actions will be the same in all three listed versions of Microsoft Windows.
Step 4
Find the list of "Advanced Options", which is located on the "View" tab of the settings window for the properties of the folder. In the list of additional settings, find the line with the text "Hide protected system files (recommended)" and uncheck the checkbox placed in this line. Then find the checkbox placed in the line with the text "Hidden files and folders" and check it.
Step 5
Click on the "OK" button to save the changes made to the settings for displaying folders. Depending on the version of the operating system you are using, you may need to restart Explorer for these changes to take effect.
Step 6
In the described way, you will get access to system files and folders, but not all of them can be changed when the OS is running in normal mode. With some files, this can only be done in safe mode, with others - only when working from another instance of the OS or from a boot disk.
