How to Hide Files and Folders on Windows 10
If you have folders and or files that you want to hide from other users on your PC you can. Here’s how to do it on Windows 10. Here’s how.
There may be times when you need to hide files and/or folders on your PC. Particularly if you have a shared PC and don’t want certain data easily viewable by others.
We already showed you how to hide files and folders on earlier versions of Windows. In additions, we looked at how you can disable check boxes on files and folders. But here we will take a look at how to hide files and folders on Windows 10.
Hide Files and Folders on Windows 10
To get started launch File Explorer and select the folder you want to hide. Then click the View tab from the ribbon and click the Hide selected items button.
If you’re hiding a folder with various files, a dialog box will pop up. From there choose whether you want to hide the folder only or everything included in the folder. You’re best bet is generally to select the latter.
Your hidden folder with the files will display to you as a faded icon.
To view your hidden files or folders in a directory, click the View tab and then check the Hidden items box.
If you’re not happy with using the new method, you can also use the old school method to hide files and folders, too.
Right-click on the file or folder(s) you want to hide and select Properties. When the folder Properties dialog opens check Hidden and then click the Apply button.
Another option you have is to open Folder Options and click the View tab. Then under Advanced Settings check the “Don’t Show Hidden Files, Folders or drives option and click OK.
For more on the old way of hiding, folders check out our article: How to Hide Files and Folders in Windows.
That will show you the way of hiding content on older versions of Windows. However, it still works with Windows 10.
Still, using the new method of using the File Explorer ribbon works well and is faster in the end.
It’s also worth mentioning that this works for files and folders on network locations as well.
