The Best Method to Hide Files / Folders in Windows Without Using 3rd Party Utilities

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Following is a 100% safe and free of cost method to hide files/folders in Windows without using any 3rd party software:

STEP 1: First of course, hide the file or folder from its "Properties".

STEP 2: Now disable "Show Hidden files/folders" option from "Tools -> Folder Options".

Hmm. Now you can say "What's so special? Anyone can enable the option again."

STEP 3: OK. No problem. Disable "Folder Options" using Registry Editor. Please take a look at Point 4 in following topic:

All Kind of Restrictions for Windows

Again you'll ask "So what? Anyone who knows about "regedit" can re-enable Folder Options. Then?"

STEP 4: Simple. Disable Registry Editor also. Again take a look at Point 5 in following topic:

All Kind of Restrictions for Windows

Now we have almost done and our hidden files are safe but not really. Why? Because "regedit" can be enabled again using "gpedit.msc".

Go to:

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System

In right-side pane, set "Prevent access to Registry editing tools" to either Not Configured or Disabled and it'll re-enable Registry Editor.

So to make our method 100% safe and working, just follow this last step:

STEP 5: Rename gpedit.msc to some other name like "AskVG.msc" and then hide it. You can find it in "Windows\System32" folder.

Now whenever anyone tries to run "gpedit.msc", Windows will show an error message "file not found". But you can always run it using the new name "AskVG.msc".

So its an easy to follow and absolutely free method to hide your private data from others.

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This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

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Ronak Agrawal

Cool
Siva

Dear Sir,

Why you are going so much complicated... just rename the folder name as "xxx..{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"(without Quotes) and change the attributes as (cmd command) attrib +h +s "path"..... Thats all....
VG

^^ Because your method doesnt work in Vista and only applicable to folders not files. ;)
siva

Ok.... I did not worked with the Vista.... :!:
siva

Sir,

I want to give the "Access Dined" to particular folder. Is that possible? Any registry key is there for it?
VG

^^ For it, your file system should be NTFS and then you can assign permissions for any file/folder/drive.
Siva

For NTFS we have 'cacls' command for it("I think").... For FAT32 we donot have direct command like that. Is that no way give in the fat32? If any way to possible :!: give in the fat32 pls tell me..... Thx in advance
priyank

vishal sir, i m in a big problem... i cant enable the "show hidden files" from the regedit...also i have another problem... the file called :autorun.inf" exists in all my local hard drives... i m using a paid antivirus software and my computer is virus free...but still the "autorun.inf" file doesnt let me access my hard drives. when i try accessing them, a new window pops up showing me an "Open with" kind of option... and since autorun is a hidden file i first need to fix the problem of my hidden files first...then i can delete the autorun file....this is wat a friend of mine told me.... can u plz help me.... plz plz....
VG

^^ Look into "Frequently Asked Problem s With Solutions" topic in "Troubleshooting" section. I have mentioned its solutions there. :)
Vishal

Hi Vishal,

By following the above process, will the AskVG.msc file show up if I search for "*.msc" using Windows Search?

Thanks.

Vishal