6 Easy Ways: How to Recover/Show Hidden Files on SD Card

SD cards are incredibly useful for expanding storage on devices like cameras, smartphones, and tablets. However, they can sometimes be prone to issues where files mysteriously disappear.

Before you panic, it’s possible they’re not gone—they’re just hiding. So, how to show hidden files on SD cards in Windows 10? This post offers 6 proven ways to help you see hidden files from SD cards.

How to Show Hidden Files on SD Cards (6 Feasible Ways)

In this section, there are 6 effective ways to show hidden files on SD cards. These methods introduced below can also help you show hidden files and folders in a USB flash drive or pen drive.

#1. Recover Hidden Files on SD Card with Recovery Software 🔥

Accidental deletions can lead to missing files on your SD card. The best way to recover and show hidden files on SD cards is by applying SD card recovery software - MyRecover. With a simple interface and operating procedure, you can recover missing files on SD cards in just 3 clicks and with a high success rate. It is strongly advised for the following reasons:

MyRecover

Professional SD Card Recovery Software

• Versatile Recovery: Handles various data loss situations, including formatted drives, lost or corrupted partitions, system crashes, and virus attacks.
• Supports 200+ Formats: Recovers a wide range of files, including recovering deleted Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, JPG, PNG, MP4, and more.
• Efficient Performance: Offers high recovery rates and speeds, with powerful filters and previews during the scanning process.
• Broad Compatibility: Recover hidden data from hard disks, SD cards, USB drives, external drives, PCs, and cameras with ease.

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7& Windows Server

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MyRecover lets you recover up to 500MB of data for free. Download it and follow the guide to restore hidden files on the SD card effortlessly.

Step 1. Select the location and start scanning

Connect the SD card to your PC. Run the MyRecover and hover over the SD card and click Scan to begin the scanning process.

Step 2. Filter and preview the files

It will run a Quick & Deep Scan to search all your hidden files from the SD card. During the scanning process, you can also preview or filter your needed data according to Files Type, Size, Date, etc.

• File Type: Select the file type (Photos, Videos, Documents, Audios, Mails, Webpages, Compressed files, etc.)
• Size: Filter the file size (<128KB, 128KB~1MB, 1MB~ 512MB, 512MB above, etc.)
• Date modified: Set the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, etc.)

Step 3. Recover hidden files

Select the files and click Recover X Files to recover missing files from SD card. Always save them in different locations.

#2. Show Hidden Files on SD Card via File Explorer

Windows has a built-in feature that allows you to view hidden files on SD card. You can try to show hidden files, folders, and drives via File Explorer. Here's how you can find hidden files on SD card:

Note:✎...

If Windows 10/11 shows hidden files are not working, you can try other ways to view hidden files.

Step 1. Open File Explorer

Connect the SD card with hidden files to the Windows PC. Press Win + E to open File Explorer, and select your SD card.

Step 2. Show hidden files

At the top of the File Explorer window, click on the "View" tab. In the "Show/hide" section, check the box next to "Hidden items".

#3. Change File Explorer Settings to Show Hidden Files

You can also adjust the advanced settings to show hidden files on your SD card, as your files or folders may be set as hidden. Follow the steps below recover hidden files from SD card.

Step 1. Search for Control Panel in the Windows search box, and click Appearance and Personalization > File Explorer Options.

Step 2. Click View > Show hidden files, folders, and drives > Apply.

#4. Show Hidden Files on SD Card Using CMD

Command Prompt is a handy tool in Windows for running commands directly. The ATTRIB command is especially useful for changing file settings, like making a hidden file visible. You can also use this way to show hidden files in Pen drive. Here’s how to show hidden files using CMD Attrib.

Step 1. After connecting your SD card, type "Command Prompt" in the search bar. Select the Run as administrator to open it.

Step 2. Type “attrib -H -R -S /S /D G:\*.*”and press Enter to show hidden files on the G: drive (G is the letter of the SD card).).

#5. Unhide SD Card Hidden Files with Google Chrome

Did you know that you can use Google Chrome to access hidden files on your SD card? It’s a simple trick that many users aren’t aware of. By using a specific command, you can make all the hidden files and folders visible right in the Chrome browser. Here’s how to show hidden files on an SD card:

Step 1. Connect your SD card with hidden files to your computer and open Google Chrome.

Step 2. In the address bar, type file:///E:/ (replace E with the correct drive letter for your SD card). Then, your hidden files should now appear in the Chrome window.

#6. Show Hidden Files by Assigning a New Drive Letter to the SD Card

Another way to show and access hidden files is by assigning a new drive letter to your SD card using Disk Management. Be cautious when using Disk Management, as it’s easy to accidentally format the SD card. Here’s how to unhide files on an SD card:

Step 1. After connecting the SD card to your Windows PC, press “Win + R” and type “diskmgmt.msc” in the window. Hit “Enter” or click “OK” to open the Disk Management.

Step 2. Find your SD card in the list, right-click it, and choose "Change Drive Letter and Paths".

Step 3. Select “Add” to assign a new drive letter to the SD card. Choose the “Assign the following drive letter” option. Please ensure the chosen new drive letter is different from the existing drive letters.

What Causes Files Disappeared from SD Cards

There are several reasons why files might go missing on an SD card. The most common causes include:

🎊 Accidental Deletion: Sometimes, files are deleted by mistake and sent to a hidden state rather than being permanently erased.

🐱‍👤 Virus or Malware Infection: Malicious software can hide files or make them inaccessible.

🎆 SD Card Corruption: A corrupted SD card can result in files and folders disappeared from external hard drives or SD cards.

🎏 Incorrect Settings: Some files may be hidden due to specific settings on your device or file management software.

Wrapping up

As we have explained in this guide, it is entirely possible to show hidden files on SD cards using the right method. The most effective way is to use a professional recovery tool that can help you recover lost data on your SD card, whether you have lost images, documents, videos, audio, etc. Try the free version first to recover hidden files on your SD card for free.

Recover Hidden Files on SD Card FAQs

1. Why can't I view files on my SD card?

The SD card issue could stem from several factors: it might not be properly connected, leading to a connection issue; it could be incompatible with your device, causing compatibility problems; it might be damaged or corrupted, resulting in data access issues; or it could simply be locked, preventing any interaction with it.

2. How to see hidden files from SD cards?

To show hidden files on your SD card using File Explorer:

• Connect the SD card with hidden files to your computer.
• Open File Explorer by clicking the Windows icon.
• Click on "View" to access the layout and view options.
• Select "Show" to reveal more options, then click on "Hidden Items". This will make the hidden files visible.

3. How to recover hidden photos on SD cards?

You can recover hidden photos on SD cards with MyRecover.

• Connect your SD card to the PC.
• Scan the SD card to locate the hidden photos.
• Preview the photos to confirm they are the ones you need.
• Recover the hidden photos from the SD card.

4. How do I view locked files on my SD card?

To unlock files on an SD card, first check the LOCK switch position on the card. If the switch is in the locked position, move it to the unlocked position. Then, use CMD to remove digital write protection. For recovering pictures and files from an SD card, try using MyRecover for quick and efficient results.

5. How to show hidden files on SD card on Android?

To view hidden files on an Android SD card, go to "Menu" > "Settings" and enable the option to "Show hidden files" by scrolling down in the settings menu.

But remember, prevention is better than cure. Make regular a file backup to avoid the stress of losing important files. If you ever find yourself in a file loss situation again, you will know what to do.