Tech Tip - Create "Hidden Folders" To Keep Files Private

Did you know you can hide folders in Microsoft Windows?  In fact, Microsoft does it automatically for certain system folders to protect their content from users accidentally deleting important system files so why not take advantage of this functionality and use it to help secure files on your computer.  

Here is how to do it:

• Within Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder you want to hide
• Click on the folder using the right mouse button and select "Properties" from the menu
• Click on the "General Tab" and in the attributes section you will find the "Hidden" check box, click this to ensure it is selected to hide the folder
• Once the check box is selected click on OK which will then hide the folder from general view in Windows Explorer
• Now if you want to navigate to this hidden folder you have a couple of choices, either type in the folder path in Windows Explorer in the navigation box, such as C:\data\my-hidden-folder 
• or
• in Windows Explorer change the view properties to show hidden items 
  • Windows 10 - Open Windows File Explorer
  • Click the View tab in the ribbon at the top
  • Check the box for 'Hidden' items under the 'Show/Hide' group
  • Windows 11 - Open Windows File Explorer
  • Click the View button (the three horizontal dots in the toolbar)
  • Select Show > Hidden items to toggle visibility.

See if this is useful for you, give it a go...