How to Hide Files and Folders in Windows for Free

A first line of defense against security attacks

There are always some files that you want to keep away from prying eyes. It can be confidential information from work or even something as simple as a school essay. Whileonline privacyis vital, you need to hide your local files and folders in Windows 10 too.

Windows gives you a few basic ways to hide files and folders.They may not sandbag the knowledgeable snoop but the methods can thwart them for a while.

Hide Windows 10 Folders with File Explorer

This is a simple method to hide files and folders on Windows 10. It will only work if people around you aren’t tech savvy enough to know how to display file properties.

By default, Windows hides many files to prevent any unintentional deletions. But if you have disabled this option in File Explorer then hidden files will show up. To ensure that hidden files stay hidden:

Hide Files and Folders with the Command Line

Get familiar with the Command line in Windows and you can tweak many things under the hood. One of them is the ability to hide and unhide files and folders at will. Theattribcommand changes file attributes.

The attrib command is more powerful than the first method as even unchecking the Hidden items setting in File Explorer will not reveal the hidden file or folder. We have covered the utility of the command line to hide files and folders before, but let’s do another quick walkthrough.

Open the Command Prompt by pressingWindows key + Rto open the Run dialog box. Then, typecmdin theOpenfield and clickOK. At the command prompt, type in the following command. Replace the path and file name with the path and file name for the file you want to hide.

The general format is[Drive:][Path] Filename +s +h.

The parameters are not case sensitive.

To unhide a file or folder, use the attrib command again but just replace the “+” with “-” in front of the “s” and “h” attributes.

You can also hide an entire folder using the attrib command. Just replace the path and the folder name with your own.

Hide Windows 10 Files with Free Software

There are a handful of freeware apps that help you hide files, folders, photos, and videos with a click of a button. They are slightly more foolproof than the native methods we explored above.

FileFriend is a freeware app that is just a 285 KB download. This uncomplicated app gives you a few different tools to work with. To hide a file, use theJPKtab. First, choose the host JPG file. Then choose the directory or file you want to hide within it.

Do note that the JPG file should not be in the same directory that you want to hide.

Key features of FileFriend:

My Lockbox is a uncomplicated software that hides your files and folders on your local drive. The lightweight software is just 6.9 MB in size and comes in two flavors. The free version allows you to hide one item. On installation, you can skip the option to install the Hide Folders extension that protects files on external drives.

After installation, enter the password and a recovery email address in case you lose the password. Choose the file or folder you want to hide and lock it. There are no limits on the size of the folder. My Lockbox has a few advanced features you can access from the My Lockbox Control Panel.

Key features of Hide Folders:

Wise Folder has two-layered file and folder protection that enhances the security of your information. Set the first app-level password when you launch the program. Then, set another password for each file or folder that you choose to hide.

You can also configure an encrypted space on your hard drive to securely store sensitive files. Uninstalling the program won’t allow anyone to bypass the security as they must enter a password to remove the software from Windows. Wise Folder also works with flash drives.

Wise Folder has a free and paid version. The Pro version gives you unlimited space to set up the encrypted space on your hard drive.

Make Important Files Less Obvious to Snoopers

These tools and methods are basic and can be your first line of defence. They just help to make important files less obvious. Security attacks can come from several fronts. Start with simple security habits like good password management habits, setting file and folder permissions if you’re on a network, andencrypting your online and offline data.

Saikat Basu is a seasoned freelance technology writer. He likes to forage for anything that makes our lives better… an app, a life hack, or a simple nugget of learning.Read Saikat’s Full Bio

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