On Home windows 11, File Explorer acts as a hub for all of the information saved in your laptop. That features private paperwork and pictures, but additionally essential system information and app information.
Not solely do you not require entry to most of those, accessing them and making adjustments might trigger critical issues in your system. Equally, there could merely be private information that you just’d slightly no-one else can see.
Luckily, Microsoft allows you to conceal any file or folder in Home windows 11, and it requires only some easy steps. Accessing them once more is comparatively straightforward, too – right here’s learn how to do each.
Methods to conceal a file or folder in Home windows 11
If a file or folder may be present in File Explorer, it may be hidden. Right here’s how:
Choose any information/folders and open Properties
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Open File Explorer. Discover any file or folder that you just’d like to cover and spotlight them (you’ll be able to select a number of directly by holding down Ctrl every time you click on).
Proper-click any of the chosen ones and select ‘Properties.
Add hidden attribute
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The window ought to open on the ‘Normal’ tab – choose it if not.
Underneath ‘Attributes’, verify the field subsequent to ‘Hidden’, then click on ‘Apply’.
Allow for all sub-folders and information (if relevant)
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In the event you’ve chosen a folder containing sub-folders or information, a pop-up will seem.
Make sure that the button subsequent to ‘Apply adjustments to this folder, subfolders and information’ is chosen, then click on ‘OK’.
Verify change
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To finish the method, click on ‘OK’ to exit.
You’ll be able to then repeat these steps for every other information or folders you’d like to cover. The method occurs instantly, and means they’ll disappear from their typical sections and now not seem in searches.
This file or folder will likely be hidden instantly and gained’t present up in any searches by default.
Methods to unhide a file or folder in Home windows 11
To cease a file from being hidden, you’ll first must make all hidden information seen in File Explorer:
- Click on the ‘View’ button on the prime of the File Explorer window
- Hover over the ‘Present’ button
- From the choices that seem, click on ‘Hidden gadgets’
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If you wish to view or make adjustments to a file or folder, this will likely be absolutely accessible and behave as regular. As soon as full, repeat the steps above to cover them as soon as extra.
However should you’d wish to unhide them completely, you’ll additionally must observe these steps:
- Open File Explorer and discover any hidden information or folders that you just’d wish to unhide
- Choose all that apply, then right-click and select ‘Properties’
- Underneath the ‘Normal’ tab, uncheck the field underneath ‘Attributes’ that’s labelled ‘Hidden’. Click on ‘Apply’
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- In the event you’ve chosen a folder containing sub-folders or information, a pop-up will seem. Make sure that the button subsequent to ‘Apply adjustments to this folder, subfolders and information’ is chosen, then click on ‘OK’
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- Click on ‘OK’ once more to substantiate
- Repeat for any others you’d wish to unhide
Methods to conceal or unhide a file utilizing Command Immediate
Another technique is accessible by way of the Command Immediate window:
- Open Command Immediate
- Paste ‘cd c:/SECRET-FILES-LOCATION’, changing ‘SECRET-FILES-LOCATION’ with the file path in File Explorer, then hit enter
- Enter the particular title of the file or folder that you just’d like to cover and hit enter
- Paste ‘attrib +h /s /d’ and hit enter.
To unhide it, repeat the steps above, however exchange the command in step 4 with ‘attrib -h /s /d.
Nevertheless, it’s price emphasising that it isn’t essential to use this technique. Going by way of File Explorer is way simpler and achieves the identical end result.