7 ways to fix Windows showing empty folders even though there are files inside

It can be confusing to see an empty folder when the folder size suggests otherwise. The problem becomes even more difficult if you need the files urgently. If you definitely remember copying data to the folder (as reflected by the folder size), but the folder appears empty, don't worry.

Many times, files are hidden, resulting in empty folders. However, sometimes the problem can be more serious. Regardless of the problem, the following article will cover the fixes in this article to help you regain access to your files.

1. Eliminate system specific problems

Restart your computer before trying any fixes to make sure it's not a temporary glitch. If the problem persists after you've restarted your system once, check to see if the problem is specific to the folder or persistent across the entire operating system.

If the problem appears everywhere, your operating system is corrupted. To fix the problem, update or reset your operating system. However, if the problem persists in only one folder, try the following fixes.

2. Make sure files are not hidden

Hidden files also contribute to overall file size. So, if you find that a folder of significant size appears as an empty folder, make sure that the files are not just hidden. To do so, follow these steps:

B1: Go to an empty folder, even if the size is displayed.

B2: Navigate to the View tab in File Explorer.

B3: Select the Hidden items box in the Show/Hide section.

If the files were previously hidden, you can view them now.

3. Using the help of Command Prompt

By running a set of commands in Command Prompt , users can perform specific tests, run scans, and manage other processes. A built-in command can be used to check for missing or hidden files and folders on the hard drive.

Running this command has a good chance of recovering the files in the directory. To run it, follow these instructions:

B1: In the Windows search bar, type "cmd".

B2: Right-click on the Command Prompt application and select Run as administrator to open CMD with admin rights .

B3: Enter the following command into the Command Prompt application:

attrib -h -r -s /s /d D:\*.*

B4: Press Enter.

D: in the command syntax refers to the drive containing the missing files. If the partition containing the missing files is different from D:\, you should adjust the command accordingly.

Allow the process to complete and restart your computer. Then, check the folder again to see if the files appear. If not, continue with the other fixes.

4. Restart Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer, also known as File Explorer, is the utility that allows you to browse through files and folders. That is why it is often referred to as the Windows file manager application. When you open a file, organize a folder, copy or move it, Windows Explorer performs these actions.

Therefore, restarting it can help you recover files and folders that may have lost previews due to problems with File Explorer. To restart Windows Explorer, follow the instructions in: How to restart the Windows Explorer.exe process .

5. Run a disk check

Hard drive issues can also be the cause of the problem. So before you proceed any further, you should check your hard drive for errors. While there are several ways to run the Windows disk check, here is the simplest:

B1: Right-click on the Windows Start button and select File Explorer.

B2: On the left side, click This PC.

B3: Right-click on the partition containing the empty folder and click Properties in the context menu.

B4: In the Properties window , navigate to the Tools tab.

B5: In the Error-checking section , click the Check button.

B6: Whether or not any errors are displayed, click Scan Drive.

After the scan is complete, check the problem folder to see if the files have been recovered. If not, continue with the fixes below.

6. Scan for malware

The absence of files in a folder can also be caused by the presence of hidden malware. Therefore, if the fixes do not help you recover your data, you must rule out the possibility that malware is the culprit.

There are several ways to remove malware from your Windows PC; you can use a third-party malware removal tool to remove viruses , use Windows tools to clean your PC, or simply run a Microsoft Defender Offline Scan to make sure your computer is malware-free.

Once the virus has been removed, go back to the same folder and check to see if the files you were expecting to access are back. If you find any, you will need to take further steps to ensure that other files and folders are safe from the virus.

If malware scanning and virus removal don't help, you may need third-party software to recover your data.

7. Use a third-party data recovery tool

If none of the above fixes help you regain access to your files, a third-party data recovery tool is your last resort. Data recovery software works by using various algorithms to find traces of lost files on your hard drive and then gives users the option to recover files that are no longer on their computer.

So, run a data recovery tool to see if it can help you find your lost data. While there are many third-party tools that can help you recover your data, this article recommends checking out the best data recovery tools available: EaseUS, Disk Drill, and Recuva.

Hopefully, after performing the fixes mentioned above, you will be able to retrieve the files that are not showing up in the folder. When things go wrong, third-party data recovery tools will not disappoint you.

Additionally, common issues with the Preview pane can also cause this error, so make sure that the problem is not coming from an issue in the Preview pane.