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 3 in following topic:
All Kind of Restrictions for Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista and 7
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 13 in following topic:
All Kind of Restrictions for Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista and 7
Now we have almost done and our hidden files are safe but not really. Why? Because "regedit" can be enabled again using "gpedit.msc".
Goto:
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.
Complete list of AskVG articlesThis article was posted in Others, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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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
VG
^^ Nope unless you enable Hidden files option.
leshy
nice one and v.helpful bro
thx
VG
^^ Welcome.
Nizar
dear sir
from where will I get vista paint?
Nizar
dear sir
from where will I get vista paint?
Varun
my folder options is not displaying the "show hidden files" radio button. Maybe because of some virus or spyware.
Please tell me how do i get it back?
VG
^^ Pls visit following link:
Link
Saurabh Gupta
Hi, VG!
i was just wondering is der any way so dat i can c all hidden files n folder of a system at a common place.
Thnx Bro.
VG
^^ I didnt understand your query. Can you pls tell me in more details?