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Folder hiding is a simple way of keeping prying eyes away from your private documents.
From a human point of view it's a good solution; what you can't see, you don't know you want.
Encrypting a folder can have the opposite effect. The folder is visible and if access is attempted, the need to enter a password positively shouts the message that someone is trying to hide something.
This probably explains why there are so many commercial utilities that claim they can securely hide folders.
I use the word "claim" deliberately. It's actually quite difficult to securely hide a folder in Windows without risking creating problems in the operating system itself.
And there can be all sorts of practical problems. For example, what happens to the hidden folder when you delete a visible folder above it in the folder tree? Will the hidden folder be backed up? Will it be scanned by your AV program? Can the files in the folder be recovered in an emergency such as a system crash?
These are not theoretical problems; they are real and need to be seriously considered.
I've used a number of commercial folder hiding programs over the years and have ended up un-installing them all. They were simply not worth the trouble.
Instead of using complicated and expensive security utilities, I suggest you stealth your folders using a far simpler method using the Windows "hidden" attribute. And once you have hidden your folders you can then protect them using free open source encryption programs.
The Windows hidden attribute works similarly to the more familiar "read only" attribute. It's a property of every file and folder that can be turned on or off. Let's try it.
Create a folder in My Documents and call it "test." Now copy a couple of unimportant files to the folder.
To turn on the hidden attribute right click on the folder icon, select Properties, then the General Tab and check the Hidden box.
The folder should disappear from My Documents. If it doesn't then you have Windows Explorer configured to display hidden files.
To change this, select Tools / Folder options / View then check the "Do not show hidden files and folders" box. Now the test folder should disappear. To make it re-appear select the "Show hidden files and folders" option.
So now you have a way of hiding a folder and revealing it again using your folder settings. Now I'll show you a simple trick that allows you access your hidden folder without constantly changing the folder settings. However, before I can demonstrate this we have to make the folder hidden but the files within it not-hidden.
Go to My Documents and make sure your folder "test" is visible. Open "test" and select all the files by using Control A. Now right click anywhere on the selected files and select Properties / General and uncheck the Hidden attribute. Now your folder is hidden but the files are not.
Go back to My Documents and hide the folder by changing the folder settings. Your test folder should disappear from My Documents.
Now here's the trick. Windows allows you to navigate to a hidden folder. So while in the My Documents folder, type into the address bar "\test" immediately after "My Documents" with no spaces between and hit enter.
Voila you are now in your secret "test" folder and all your documents are visible!
Of course locating your private folder in My Documents is not a great idea as it will be immediately revealed should another user enable the display of hidden files. Better to stash your folder in some obscure location well away from prying eyes but easy to navigate to. Additionally, name the folder to be as uninteresting as possible.
Hiding your folder like this is fine if you only want to keep information from prying eyes but if you really want to properly protect your hidden folder you should encrypt it.
Luckily that's easy; simply use the free open source program AxCrypt:
http://axcrypt.axantum.com/
Using AxCrypt is dead simple so I won't explain how. AxCrypt is also near-unbreakable so make sure you don't forget your password. If you do, your data is lost forever.
Using this technique you can hide and protect your folders without spending a cent and, unlike commercial folder hiding utilities, this technique is not going to potentially create a whole set of other problems.
Gizmo
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make the folder n give the name it from numeric pad "0160" with "alt" key.
it has no name ..
than right click on the folder . select properties. than choose icon and choose the blank ... and apply...
the folder is invisible for u >>>>>>>
I hide a folder and after I made the option to show the hidden folders and files it didn't work. Now I got hidden folders and no clue how to see make them back visible..
I'm having trouble with the following part:
===
The folder should disappear from My Documents. If it doesn't then you have Windows Explorer configured to display hidden files.
To change this, select Tools / Folder options / View then check the "Do not show hidden files and folders" box. Now the test folder should disappear. To make it re-appear select the "Show hidden files and folders" option.
===
Where do I find 'Tools'?
From the Windows Explorer:
We can create a con folder with the following steps are ...
Type the name of folder .. Con ... Then hold ALT key and now press 0160 from the num pad.
You will see a folder on your desktop with name con
jijo
well you r husband obviusly has a Usb with the files in it and the things you click on are shortcuts to these files
For those wanting an impossible to crack and reliable encryption software, try True Crypt "www.truecrypt.org" It is more for the advanced user though beginner friendly. The interface is not glamorous, but who cares if you want a powerful encryption program! It works great and packs everything you want into one file or drive that is completely size adjustable upon setup. You can even create a hidden directory inside the encrypted file which also is encrypted and password protected again! Double encryption and double passwords... No one could hack that, so if you loose the password/passwords you are screwed! Check it out it's completely free with no spyware or adware like in most free stuff.
Steve
someone could easily find your hidden files/folders by performing a "blank" search.. this way, windows searcher reveals everything. so, you'd better encrypt your files and optionally hide them if you want them private..
anything like folder lock but free ?
hey i have hide a folder in Firefox but now i don't now where to find that folder pls some body tell me pls
if you know the folder name then......
1.open nero then open that drive where you had saved it..here you will find all hidden files and folders..now you can get it easily...
Remember this hidden folders are not a good idea when it comes to pc security
I would advice against doing this. If you want to keep other people from seeing this folder, then the best way is to password protect and leave it unhidden. All that lengthy talk at the first box..........geesh what a waste of space. anyway there you go.
how to put de password
While this is helpful, I'd rather have the folder itself encrypted than the items in the folder, anyway to make AxCrypt do that?
How do you get rid of the notification that tells you there's a hidden file in the folder, when you "select all"??? It contradicts the whole point of hiding folders. You don't want anyone to know a folder is hidden.
why not just use truecrypt?
its opensource thus free and all it does is make a hidden partition completely unaccessible unless you have the key/encryption file.
imo, its the best way to encrypt files
man... there's a better way... zip your files up and change your extention to .txt or .jpg or something like that.. this method has encryption as well.. cause once you open the file it doesnt show you anything but gibberish... ha ha enjoy..
CyberGeek
i dn't understand the first step how should i press alt+0160
there is actually another way you can hide a folder.
1.make a new folder and name it nothing. (this can be done by pressing ALT+1060 [numpad keys]) it will make a empty space for the name.
2.Change the folder icon by right clicking the folder and going to properties.
3.Scroll through the default window icons until you see a blank space.
4.Select it and press OK.
That's it!
Now you have a "hidden folder".
It has no name, and no icon! :]
But if someone highlights it, it will leave a dark highlighted mark so they will probably find it. Otherwise its very hard to :]
how to delete the folder back ?? i try to delete the folder but it wont work
Actually the code is ALT + 255 ;)
Cool
your step 1 is wrong....it must be alt+0160, just hold it...and that's it
---uaguda
this one actually works
thanks alot
This is pointless, someone who performs maintenance on machines (such as myself) tend to unhide files since the system uses this mechanism to protect system files. Therefore the first time someone wants to change a system file (e.g. boot.ini) they will unhide all of these folders and see yours. What is worse is they may leave it in that state by accident (my own machines are left like this for simplicity) allowing someone else to see them without knowing this 'trick'.
This just gives you a false sense of security, particularly when a quick google search on hidden files or hidden folders will explain the solution to anyone, then they have the same question as when they were encrypted, why do you want these folders hidden?
I tend to agree with Gizmo because a lot of people really don't how to set Windows Explorer to show them the hidden files.
But for those of you that would like a really cool, easy and secure way to hide files on your computer, you should check out http://cybercloak.com
They even have pictures and games with other stuff hidden inside them!
The panic button is one of my favorite features.
It’s by far the best encryption program I have tried.
i tried the free download cybercloak.
i like it a lot and i did not know you can do that on a computer.
nobody can ever get my secret files, i make them into games :)
nobody have a clue, they think it only a game
if it's like 50% transparent (on the right screen) , then i can help you.
Yes i have also had that problem...if there is a good solution it would be to disable the "explore" option on windows but i highly doubt there will be such an option.
I really don't understand why the file tree has to show the hidden folders?
this is the best way to hide folders
nice guide man
I am trying to find hidden folders on my computer...had some issues in my past with my now husband....i know he is hiding things from me,
at first it was very easy to figure out what he was doing,but now everytime i try to locate something while he is gone...it tells me to insert a disk...
everything is hidden on the d drive...any ideas how to outsmart him?
I would sit him down and ask him to show you how to view those files. If he doesn't, I would reboot him.
Oh my god...
There isn't such a "easy" methot...this one is the EASIEST
Just go to the folder you need to hide
than look in the top left menu of the monitor (explonation for idiots)
There should be FILE EDIT VIEW FAVORITES TOOLS HELP
Click on the "TOOLS" Button than on "Folder options". When you have done this HARD THING there should appear a window with "General View File Types Offline Files". Click on VIEW and than mark "DO NOT SHOW HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS" ...than just click on the OK button and everything will be just fine
and others simply uncheck the folder to check it out. ;)
I search something that the folder is hidden but accessible. i want to reach it entering a password. I found Free Hide Folder but when hidden the folder is not accesible. :( i m still in search...
Quick Question -
I'm not sure how to explain this, so bear with me...
When you open Windows Explorer, there are the two sides: on the left there is the list of folders and whatever folder you're opening it shows the path to it, and on the right there is the contents of that folder. Through your instructions, I'm able to hide my folder from sight on the right side, but it still shows on the left side and one can easily access it just by double clicking on that visible left-side folder. Is there an easy way to fix this, or would I need to go to a more professional method of hiding folders.
Thanks
Once hidden this will not be visible if you close and reopen explorer. Alternately, click on another folder so that your hidden folder tree is not current and then clich refresh on the view menu.
Hari
Thanks alot man
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