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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Elix

you can find hidden files with WINRAR
or using search with option search hidden files and systemfiles( but it's not working always)
TTank

Elix is right, Windows search companion as any other software (ex. xyplorer) has the ability to search and display hidden files. What is the registry restriction for this?
waqar

I wanna put restriction on a folder plzzz tell me how can I do this using registry and tell me the details of this process
I have FAT32 drives how can I change them without formatting C
drsm22003

its an effective way to hide files, but its too complicated that you yourself will consume time to view your own files if you want it and hide it again.
sushant

vishal sir, i purchased new dell laptop, its connected to internet also having license of mcafee antivirus but after registration its stick with desktop, and even after rebooting its showing his window stick with desktop even its window is not opening for the scaning purpose give me solution for the same
Chicks

but we can see that folder with the help of dos..!!!
Arun Jain

Hi,

You can hide a folder using file properties or cmd attribs

you can also disable the "Show Hidden files/folders" option in "Tools -> Folder Options".

But, still anyone can open that folder

for example If hidden folder is on desktop, one can go to cmd -> change dir to desktop and then keep hitting tab - till you get a folder which is not appearing on desktop UI.

So this method can only hide but cannot prevent other from accessing it.
Humayun

excellent....you showed me such easy way..hope you to share more..tc bye