Can't see the AppData folder?

I’ve had a couple of instances recently where clients or colleagues haven’t been able to install their corporate Microsoft Word template into the Templates folder (C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates). And the reason has been that they couldn’t see the AppData folder. That’s because Windows hides the AppData folder by default, and you have to ‘unhide’ it before you can see it.

Here’s how to show hidden folders etc. in Windows 7 (the instructions are similar for Vista and slightly similar for Windows XP).

1. Go to Windows Explorer.
2. Open the C: drive.
3. Click Organize on the menu bar.
4. Select Folder and Search options.
5. Select the View tab.
6. Under Files and Folders > Hidden files and folders, select the option to Show hidden files, folders and drives.
7. Click OK.

Your AppData folder should show, and you should now be able to add your template into the Templates folder.