System Objects Not Visible in SQL Server Management Studio

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Issue
Unable to view the System databases and other system objects in SQL Server Management Studio.

Product
Microsoft SQL Server

Environment
SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012, SQL Server 2014

Cause
The system objects may have been hidden. By default, SQL Server system objects are listed in Object Explorer in Management Studio.
These system objects include system database, system tables/views/procedures and so on. SQL Server Management Studio provides
an option to hide these objects from Object Explorer to prevent *accidental* use.

What is hidden by this setting:
1. System databases (This is not hidden for SQL Server 2012)
2. System Stored Procedures
3. System Tables
4. System Views

Resolution
The system objects in Object Explorer can been hidden or unhidden by following the steps below.

Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
Click "Tools" and Choose "Options"

3. Expand "Environment" and click on "General"

In SQL Server 2012 click on Startup...

4. Select the Check or uncheck the "Hide System objects in Object Explorer" box and then Click "OK"
5. For the changes to take effect, you have to restart the SQL Server Management Studio

6. Close and reopen the SQL Server Management Studio.

Once SQL Server Management Studio reopens and connects to SQL Server Instance the System Objects will now either be visible or not visible
dependent on whether the Hide System Object box has been checked or unchecked.