How to make an invisible folder on the desktop using Windows. How to create an invisible folder in Windows

Most often, we place on the desktop those files and folders that we need access to constantly. That is why, during the installation process of each program, you are asked to place its shortcut on the desktop.

Some users place their personal folders and files on the desktop, but make them invisible. Today I will tell you how you can quickly and easily hide a folder on your desktop in the Windows operating system. Sometimes this needs to be done, since often not only you have access to the computer, and the files should not be seen by other users. And it will not just be a hidden folder, but a real invisible folder on the desktop!

There are several ways to hide a folder on your desktop. Some of them are basic and are performed by the operating system itself, but there are also methods that involve the use of additional programs and utilities. The methods I described are suitable for Windows 7, 8 and 10.

I won’t tell you about the simplest method, which absolutely everyone knows about. Due to its popularity, you will not be able to hide the folder from the eyes of other users for long. After all, it will not be difficult for any other user to make it visible again in a similar way.

Making a truly invisible folder on the desktop

In fact, the method I chose is very simple: you just need to assign a transparent icon to the folder. Some people will immediately wonder what to do with the name, it will be visible, but without a name the folder cannot exist. This is true, but there are a couple of tricks that will allow us to do this.

The first step is to create a folder on your desktop. This can be done in the standard way by right-clicking on an empty space on the desktop, pointing to the “create” item in the context menu and selecting “folder”.

There is a faster way to create a folder, press the key combination "CTRL+SHIFT+N".

Now right-click on the folder and select “properties”. You can also open this section using the key combination “ALT+Enter”. In this section you need to find the “settings” tab and select “change icon”.

You need to move the slider to the right until you see a transparent one among the icons (it will be in the form of an empty square). Did you find the icon? Select it and click “Ok”.

There is only one step left to hide the selected folder. You need to quickly click, at intervals of a second, on the folder name. This will give you access to the function of changing the folder name. You can also rename the folder in the context menu item by selecting “rename”.

Now hold down the ALT key and enter the number 0160. Important condition: enter numbers from the keyboard on the right. Release "ALT" and press "Enter". If your keyboard doesn't have additional buttons on the right, then you'll need to open the on-screen keyboard. By entering the numbers located at the top of the keyboard, you will not be able to make the folder name invisible.

It is possible that when you create a folder with a transparent icon, it will actually turn out to be black. This sometimes happens in Windows 7 operating systems. In this case, only another theme on the desktop will help.

Also, do not hide this folder through properties. Since after settings and enabling “show hidden files”, the outline of this folder will be clearly visible.

After you follow all my instructions exactly, the folder on your desktop will become completely invisible. The only thing that can allow you to see its contours is hovering the mouse cursor.

I hope the above method works for you and you can hide the folder on your desktop from prying eyes. Don't forget to subscribe to updates if you liked this article. I also recommend you visit my channel, where you will find many useful videos.

Storing personal files on a PC does not always mean that they are completely inaccessible to prying eyes. However, there is a truly decent and easy-to-implement way to hide information on your desktop. And this is the creation of an invisible folder.

If your computer has version 7 or 10 of Windows installed, then the procedure should be carried out according to the following algorithm:

Note! If the user does not observe any changes, it is worth using the following tips instead of “Alt” and holding down the “Fn” key. This may be a feature of your PC.

If there is no additional keyboard, perform the following manipulations:

Use the search bar to find “Symbol Table”.
From the proposed options, you need to select the so-called “Blank symbol”.
Next, just copy it to the folder name.

The next step is to hide the shortcut to this folder.

Now the folder is completely invisible to others, but if you click on its location on the desktop, you can determine the exact location.

Invisible folder using the program

The above method is not the only way to hide a folder. The advantage of using special programs is greater reliability, but the disadvantage is less ease of implementation. Let's look at examples of the most common programs.

Wise Folder Hider

Now, in order to access it, you will need to go to Wise Folder Hider and, accordingly, enter a password.

My Lockbox

For greater reliability, download the program from the official website of the developer. The installation process is somewhat more complicated than that of Wise Folder Hider, since in addition to entering the password twice, the user must generate a hint and indicate an email. On the other hand, My Lockbox is easier to use, since if you lose your password, you can recover it using your email box.

You can create a hidden folder in the program itself.

To do this you need:

Download and install the program from the official website of the developer.
Open the downloaded zipped file.
Double-click the left mouse button on the installation file in the archiver window.
In the window that opens, select a language.
Click “Next” and follow the instructions of the “Installation Wizard” of the program.
In the last window of the wizard, click “Install”.
In the window that opens, enter your password, reminder text and email address twice, and click “OK.”

Note! You can leave the fields empty, as written when entering the program.
Select the drive on which the file will be saved.

Note! By the way, the password in the trial version is “demo”; you can change it only if you fully purchase the rights to use the program.

If all actions were performed correctly, a corresponding window will appear in front of the user. To open your folder, you need to open the program and enter the password.

Easy File Locker

This is an ideal option for those who would like to save space on their computer and, at the same time, have a simple and convenient program at their disposal.

Hiding files and folders occurs according to the following algorithm. Standard download procedure.

One of the advantages of Easy File Locker is its high installation speed on almost any PC.

The procedure for hiding the folder is complete!

Password Protect USB

Using this program implies the ability to hide an unlimited number of folders and files. However, this applies only to the paid version; the trial version simply allows you to familiarize yourself with the capabilities of Password Protect USB.

On this site you can download the product.
After a fairly quick installation procedure, an icon opens in front of the user, where he needs to choose whether to purchase the program or a trial version. By the way, the price of Password Protect USB is only $39. The period for which the trial version is provided is 30 days.
Next, you need to select two of the valid tasks - “Lock Folders” or “Unlock Folders”. Select the desired task and click the “Next” button.
Determine the location of the desired folder after clicking the “Add” button.
Once the folder has been added, click the “Next” button again.
Then you need to put a password on the folder, and if necessary, add a hint to it.
The file will now look like this.

In order to access this folder again, you will need to unlock it using Password Protect USB.

Video - How to make an invisible folder in Windows

Features of hiding folders for laptops and tablets

Tablets running both Android and iOS have a slightly different algorithm for hiding folders.

In order to make a resource invisible on Android, you must:

In order to gain access to the resource again, you need to go to “Settings” and check the box next to “Show hidden files”.

It cannot be said that this method provides absolute reliability. Nevertheless, there are countless applications in the Play Market that are designed for interesting encryption methods. The latter apply not only to files collected in folders.

Here are examples of useful applications:

The procedure for hiding a file or folder, both on a tablet and on a computer, is unlikely to take more than 5-10 minutes. Choose the most suitable option, and don’t worry about privacy!

Video - How to hide a file or folder on Android

– these are folders for which the “hidden” attribute is set. By default, such folders are not displayed in the Windows interface. Hidden folders are used to hide folders that the user does not need. Often, hidden folders are folders with system files, the deletion of which can damage the operating system. In such cases, the “hidden” attribute is used as protection against accidental deletion of files. In this material you will learn how to make a hidden folder visible and how you can remove the “hidden” attribute from it.

How to Make a Hidden Folder Visible Using Windows Settings

In order to make a hidden folder visible, you need to enable the display of hidden folders. To do this, open any folder and press the ALT key on . After this, a series of drop-down menus will appear: File, Edit, View, Tools and Help. After this we need to open the “Tools” menu.

After this, a window called “Folder Options” should open in front of you.

If you are unable to open the Folder Options window through the Tools menu, you can open it using the search bar in the Start menu. To do this, simply enter the search query “folder options” and open the first line in the search results.

So, after you have opened the Folder Options window, you need to go to the View tab. Here there is a list of parameters that relate to folders and files. You need to find the option “Hide protected system files” and “ ”.

The “Hide protected system files” option must be disabled (unchecked), and the “Show hidden files, folders and drives” option must be enabled (checked). After this, you need to save the settings; to do this, close the “Folder Options” window by clicking on the “Ok” button.

How to make a hidden folder visible by changing its properties

After these simple operations, hidden folders should become visible and you can remove them as you would with other regular folders. If necessary, you can remove the “Hidden” attribute from hidden folders. To do this, right-click on the hidden folder and select the “Properties” menu item.

After this, a window with the properties of your hidden folder will open. Here you need to uncheck the box next to “Hidden” and click on the “Ok” button.

If your folder contains other folders, you will see a window asking you to remove the hidden attribute from only this folder or from this folder and all subfolders. If you want to remove the hidden attribute from all subfolders, then select the second option and click on the “Ok” button.

After this, the folder you selected will no longer be hidden. Now, if there is such a need, you can turn off the display of hidden folders and work with the system as before. This can be done in the Folder Options window.

So, everyone knows that the Windows system is a multitasking operating system, in which new features “creep out” with each new release. Thus, the system prohibits the creation of files with certain names. But today we will talk about a computer folder. Before discussing how to make an invisible folder on the desktop, let's discuss what a folder is.

What does "folder" mean?

Almost every person has seen a real paper folder. As a rule, various files and important papers are stored in it so that they, in turn, do not get lost. In addition, folders help to somehow organize and systematize the necessary “important pieces of paper.”

On a computer, all data is stored in files. In order for everything that is stored on the computer to be somehow found and organized, system developers came up with folders. That is, a computer folder is a storage area for files and other folders. Various formats can be located inside: from a simple “exe file” to the coolest and most weighty graphic format. This is a simple and convenient method of storing information. In addition, any personal information of the user can be easily found in this simple way.

Why hide data

Nobody likes it when ill-wishers crawl around their computer, and even more so when someone rummages through your personal data.

In addition, perhaps you have files that are too personal, not for prying eyes, so to speak. For example, a personal diary in electronic format, where each day is a separate file.

Of course, in this case, you need to create a folder and “stuff” daily entries there. But how can you make sure that no one but you can discover the daddy and everything that lies in it? Of course, hide it! People usually wonder how to make an invisible folder on their desktop when they need to store information somewhere close. At the same time, without worrying that it will be opened and viewed by someone.

So, now we will try to figure out how to make an invisible folder on the desktop on Windows 7. The fact is that with the release of newer and newer versions of operating systems, the principles of various “secrets” change somewhat. That is why there has been dissatisfaction with the “seven” among users for quite a long time after the good old XP. However, we even got used to it. Now let's get down to business.

Getting started with the "seven"

To solve the question of how to make an invisible folder on the desktop, you first need to create it. For those who are not yet in the know, you need to go to the desktop, then right-click and go to "New" - "Folder". Created? Now let's name it. By default the name will be "New Folder".

Now, in renaming mode, hold down Alt and alternately type the combination 2 5 5. You need to type it on the right numeric keypad. In order to decide how to make an invisible folder on the laptop desktop, make sure that you additionally have this panel (on some models it is completely absent). Let's look at what happened - there is no name, but the icon itself is still visible.

Hiding the icon

Now that we don't see the folder name, we need to hide the icon. To do this, go to the properties of the hidden folder. For those who have just begun their acquaintance with the computer: right-click on the required folder and find “Properties” there. Now you need to change the icon. Find the inscription “change icon” and look for a transparent “skin” in the list that opens. After that, click on “Ok” and see what comes of it. A so-called “black hole” has formed on the desktop. Only you know that you can throw files inside as if into a void. In this case, the entered data will be reliably protected from unwanted eyes. This is how you can simply answer the question of how to make an invisible folder on your desktop.

What about Windows 8?

Quite recently, a new version of the Windows operating system with license plate 8 was released. To be honest, even the transition from the usual XP to the “seven” was not as difficult as this creation. The fact is that there are a lot of changes in this “OS”, which brings a lot of inconvenience to users. So we have to once again rack our brains over how to make an invisible folder on the desktop on Windows 8. So let’s get down to studying the issue.

Games with hidden folders, especially on the new G8, are only suitable for those who have a basic understanding of what the command line is. We will use it to hide our folder. Create a new folder on your desktop and give it a name. Now go to the folder properties and copy the entire path to the folder, including the name itself. Now you need to open the system command line. This is done either through “Start” - “Run”, or by pressing the Win + R keys. When the required command line appears in front of you, enter: attrib + h + r + s (after the space you should specify the full path to your folder). After this, the required folder will be hidden. This is the most successful and easiest method that does not require any additional programs.

Are you running Windows XP or perhaps you prefer the 2007 version? Be that as it may, many are interested in the question of how to make an invisible folder in your work profile. To learn more about this, let's first look at the concept of a work profile and what it even is.

User profile

User profile is a term in multi-user systems. For Windows it was introduced starting with the XP version (system for professionals) and Home Edition (home edition). Both operating systems already operated with the concept of “user” and, accordingly, the simplest privacy functions. Therefore, the developers built into these environments the ability to create an invisible folder.

As for the profile, this is simply a series of settings, such as desktop design, visual design of programs, sound schemes, security settings and usage rights. All this is stored in the system for the so-called user account in the general system-software database - the Windows registry. Each user registered in the system under any account has such a profile.

WindowsXP. Making an invisible folder is easy

To do this, the “My Computer” icon is usually visible on the desktop. Open it by double-clicking the left mouse button. We will be shown with four tabs: “General”, “View”, “File types”, “Offline files”. Of these, we need a second tab, which is responsible for the type of data displayed. In it, scroll through the “Advanced parameters” field. And we focus on the “Hidden files and folders” item. How to do is shown below.

If we put the visible switch in the “Do not show folders” position, then all created folders and files with the hide attribute will not be shown to the current Windows user. This means that you can actually make the folder invisible to keep its contents private.

To do this you need to follow a few simple steps:

Right-click on the displayed folder with the mouse or touchpad.
In the submenu that appears, select the last item “Properties”.
And set the hide checkbox next to the “Hidden” attribute, the same applies to a separate file.

If everything is done correctly, then you have learned how to make an invisible folder. At the same time, the folder that you hid should not be visible in the My Computer program. To display it again, just on the “View” tab change the direction of the switch to “Show hidden files and folders”. Do not confuse this item with a similar one called “Hide protected system files.”

System flaws

In some cases the following happens. Setting the switch to the “Show hidden files, folders” position may not work. And it will return to its original position. Everything here depends on the software used and the version of Windows.

How to make an invisible folder in Windows 7

In addition to the XP version, most computers are increasingly switching to Windows 7. Naturally, its functionality also allows you to hide objects - make them invisible. Therefore, let's look at how to do this using this OS.

To hide a folder object:

Hover your touchpad or mouse cursor over the folder you want to hide.
Right-click on “Properties” and switch to the “General” tab.
In the “attributes” field, select the “Hidden” checkbox.

Now let's look at how to show an already hidden folder:

Open the “Control Panel” shortcut.
Select the “Appearance and Personalization” sub-item, then “Folder Options”.
Go to the “View” tab and set the radio button to “Show hidden folders and drives.” Save the changes by clicking the “Apply” button, you can “OK”.

Thus, we found out how to make an invisible folder using the same tools. We also learned how to show hidden objects using the same tools.