Hide Your Files in Windows 10

Is your desktop littered with random files or folders that need to be organized? Do you have a handful of folders that you absolutely need but would prefer if they weren’t out in the open all the time? Windows has built-in functionality that lets you hide certain folders from view, if you want, and it’s a great way to clean up your desktop. Let’s get into how you can hide these folders from your desktop or Documents view.

We want to preface this blog by stating that if you really want to optimize file security, it’s going to take much more than just checking a box in your file’s settings. You’ll want to work with IT professionals like those at SCW to make sure that your files are safe from prying eyes.

All that said, however, let’s get into today’s tip.

Hiding a File from View in Windows 10

First of all, the built-in functionality provided by Windows is not the most secure thing in the world, so don’t expect it to be. It’s mostly just useful as a personal preference type of setting, where you can clean up your desktop or other folders as needed. Anyone with a working knowledge of folder settings can easily reverse this setting.

Hiding folders is easy; all you have to do is go to your File Explorer and find the folder you want to hide. Once you have found it, right-click it and select Properties. You should see a checkbox toward the bottom of the window that says Hidden. When you check this, it means that the folder is now hidden from view. Again, this doesn’t secure the folder; it just makes it so that you don’t see it anymore.

If you’re ready to bring the folder back into view, you can do so by clicking on the View menu at the top of your File Explorer screen. From here, check the Hidden Items box. This will allow you to see hidden items, after which you can access the Properties of them to reverse the process we outlined above.

For more comprehensive security measures and tips, we recommend you reach out to the technicians at SCW. With us on your side, you’ll have nothing to fear from hackers or other cybercriminals stealing your data. To learn more, reach out to us at (509) 534-1530.