How To Access Folder Options in Windows 8

The Ribbon interface, which was first introduced with Microsoft Office 2007, is now part of Explorer in Windows 8 as well. The Ribbon replaces the old menu interface and is minimized by default, kind of weird, but it makes navigation cleaner. The new interface is clutter-free and lets you easily access all options with a click or tap. If you’re like me, sometimes you want to dig into more advanced settings—things that aren’t directly visible in the Ribbon. That’s where Folder Options come into play, especially for toggling hidden files, file extensions, or system protections. But finding the Folder Options in Windows 8 isn’t always obvious, especially since some settings moved around or are hidden behind deeper menus.

Most of the basic folder settings are now part of the Ribbon—like copying files or showing/hiding hidden items, which you can find under the Home and View tabs. Still, some really advanced options—like enabling color for encrypted or compressed NTFS files or restoring previous folder views—are buried in Folder Options. So, here’s how to get there because of course, Windows has to make it just a little harder than necessary.

How to Fix Accessing Folder Options in Windows 8

Method 1: Open Folder Options from Windows Explorer

Open Windows Explorer. You can do this by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar or pressing Windows + E. Once it’s open, look at the top right corner for a tiny down arrow or click on the View tab to expand the Ribbon.
Expand the Ribbon. If it’s hidden, click the small arrow or press Ctrl + F1 — it will toggle the Ribbon interface. Not sure why it works, but sometimes the Ribbon is minimized, and you need to expand it first.
Switch to the View tab. On the Ribbon, click on View to bring up the View options.
Click the Options button. Located at the very end of the Ribbon on the right side, it’s usually labeled Options. Clicking this opens the Folder Options window directly.

This approach is convenient if you’re already inside Explorer and want quick access, especially when the Ribbon is visible or you’ve just expanded it. Sometimes, on some setups, clicking the Options button from the Ribbon is the fastest way.

Method 2: Launch Folder Options from the Start Screen

Get to the Start screen (or Start menu).Start typing Folder Options right away—Windows 8’s search is pretty decent for this.
Change search to Settings. On the right side, under the search results, click on Settings to filter the options—this makes it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Click on Folder Options. It should show up in the results, and opening it from here generally works quite reliably.

This is kind of straightforward but can be confusing if you’re not used to switching between Apps and Settings in Windows 8. On some setups, the search results are slow or not as accurate, so patience might be needed. Also, if you just want quick access, pinning Folder Options to your Start screen can save time in the future.

Method 3: Launch Folder Options from Control Panel

Open Control Panel. Hit Windows + R, then type control.exe and press Enter. Easy enough, right? Sometimes, this is the most reliable way because it doesn’t depend on Explorer or start menu quirks.
Change view to Small icons. In the top right corner of Control Panel, set the View by dropdown to Small icons. This lets you see everything without hunting through categories.
Find Folder Options. Scroll through the list until you see Folder Options. Click or tap it, and the window will pop up, giving access to those secret settings.

Sometimes, Control Panel is the most straightforward method because the other routes fail or are hidden behind the ribbons and search delays. On one setup it worked like a charm, and on another, it took a couple extra clicks to find it. Because Windows, you know.

Summary

Use Explorer > View tab > Options for quick access if the Ribbon is expanded.
Type “Folder Options” in Start screen search, change focus to Settings, then click.
Or just open control.exe from the Run dialog and select Folder Options in Control Panel.

Wrap-up

This should cover most scenarios when trying to access Folder Options in Windows 8. The UI changes do make it look prettier, but sometimes it feels like Windows decided to hide these settings just to keep us on our toes. Hopefully, one of these methods gets you where you need without much fuss—because believing in the classic Control Panel still has some validity.

Fingers crossed this helps anyone struggling with those settings, especially when they’re trying to enable hidden system files or tweak view options for troubleshooting.