How to See System Folders in Windows Vista

1. Click the 'Start' icon on the Windows Vista taskbar.
2. Select 'Control Panel' on the right side of the Start menu. Click 'Appearance and Personalization' in the Control Panel window that opens.
3. Click 'Folder Options.' This opens the access and viewing settings for the folders and files on the computer.
4. Select the 'View' tab in the 'Folder Options' dialog box.
5. Select 'Show hidden files and folders' beneath 'Advanced settings.' Deselect the 'Hide Protected Operating System Files (Recommended)' check-box. Click 'Apply' and then 'OK.' Windows Vista will now display system folders and files.
6. Click the 'Start' icon on the Windows Vista taskbar. Select 'Computer' and then double-click the icon for the computer's main hard drive. On home computers this is usually the 'C:' drive. Open the 'Windows' folder and locate the 'System' and 'System32' folders. Open these folders to access system files.