How to hide files and folders in Windows 10 (+ view & unhide)
This tutorial will show you step by step how to hide files and folders in Windows 10 from others. And also how to view and unhide hidden files and folders.
Methods:
How to hide files and folders in Windows 10 using File Explorer
1. Open File Explorer (Windows Explorer).
2. Go to the file or folder you want to hide.
3. Right-click on the file or folder and then click on Properties.
A “Properties” window will appear.
4. Check the box next to the Hidden option.
5. Click on the Apply button in the bottom right corner of the “Properties” window.
If you're hiding a folder with files and subfolders, then a “Confirm Attribute Changes” window will appear. If you're not hiding a folder, then you can continue with the last step (8).
6. Make sure that the Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files option is selected.
7. Click on the OK button.
8. Click on the OK button to close the “Properties” window.
This is an easy and fast way to hide files and folders, but it's not a good and secure way. Someone with basic computer knowledge can find the files and folders easily and quickly.
This method is good for hiding files and folders for common users so that they hopefully don't find and delete or edit the files or folders.
How to view hidden files and folders in Windows 10 using File Explorer
1. Open File Explorer (Windows Explorer).
2. Go to the location of the hidden file or folder.
3. Click on View located in the top menu of File Explorer.
4. Check the box next to the Hidden items option.
You can now view the hidden file or folder.
How to unhide hidden files and folders in Windows 10 using File Explorer
1. Open File Explorer (Windows Explorer).
2. Go to the location of the hidden file or folder.
3. Click on View located in the top menu of File Explorer.
4. Check the box next to the Hidden items option.
You can now view the hidden file or folder.
5. Right-click on the file or folder and then click on Properties.
A “Properties” window will appear.
6. Uncheck the box next to the Hidden option.
7. Click on the Apply button in the bottom right corner of the “Properties” window.
If it's a folder with files and subfolders, then a “Confirm Attribute Changes” window will appear. If it's not a folder, then you can continue with the last step (10).
8. Make sure that the Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files option is selected.
9. Click on the OK button.
10. Click on the OK button to close the “Properties” window.
How to hide files and folders in Windows 10 using CMD (Command Prompt)
1. Open Windows Command Prompt.
Two ways to open Command Prompt:
- Type cmd into the search box and then click on Command Prompt when it appears.
- Press the Windows
+ R key combination, type cmd, and then press the Enter key on your keyboard.
2. Type a command similar to the commands below.
attrib +s +h C:\Users\mv\Documents\"Secret Files"attrib +s +h C:\Users\mv\Pictures\secret-picture.jpgattrib +s +h C:\Users\mv\Videos\"Secret Video.mp4"Replace C:\Users\mv\Documents\"Secret Files", C:\Users\mv\Pictures\secret-picture.jpg, or C:\Users\mv\Videos\"Secret Video.mp4" with the path to the file or folder you want to hide on your computer.
Note: Quotation marks are only necessary when there are spaces in the name of the file or folder (e.g., Secret Files or Secret Video.mp4).
3. Press the Enter key on your keyboard.
The file or folder is now hidden.
This method is better than the first method because, with this method, Windows won't show the hidden file or folder even if File Explorer is set to display hidden files and folders.
But:
Someone can still view the hidden files or folders in File Explorer if they click on File (top left) > Change folder and search options > View > uncheck the Hide protected operating system files option.
But this will show a warning message and most people will probably freak out and not click Yes when the message appears.
How to make a hidden file or folder visible again in Windows 10 using CMD
1. Open Windows Command Prompt.
Two ways to open Command Prompt:
- Type cmd into the search box and then click on Command Prompt when it appears.
- Press the Windows + R key combination, type cmd, and then press the Enter key on your keyboard.
2. Type a command similar to the command you used to hide the file or folder but then replace attrib +s +h with attrib -s -h.
attrib -s -h C:\Users\mv\Documents\"Secret Files"attrib -s -h C:\Users\mv\Pictures\secret-picture.jpgattrib -s -h C:\Users\mv\Videos\"Secret Video.mp4"
How to hide files and folders in audio files in Windows 10 using DeepSound
DeepSound is a free program that can hide files and folders in audio files. DeepSound also allows you to easily extract your secret files or folders from audio files.
1. Open DeepSound.
2. Click on Open carrier files.
A “Open” window will appear.
3. Go to the location on your computer where the audio file is stored you want to use to hide your secret data in.
4. Select the audio file.
5. Click on the Open button.
6. Click on Add secret files.
A “Open” window will appear.
7. Go to the location on your computer where the files or folders are that you want to hide.
8. Select the files or folders.
9. Click on the Open button.
At Free space for secret files, you can see how much data (in MB) you can hide in the audio file.
10. When you're ready, you click on Encode secret files.
A “Encode secret files” window will appear.
11. At Output format, you can select an audio format.
12. At Output directory, you can see the location on your computer where DeepSound will save the audio file.
13. If you want to hide and protect your files or folder with a password, then check the Encrypt secret files (AES 256) option. If not, then you can skip the following two steps and continue with step 16.
14. Type your password twice.
15. Click on Encode secret files button at the bottom of the “Encode secret files” window.
DeepSound will now hide your files or folders in an audio file.
To extract your files or folders from the audio file; click on Open carrier files. Select your audio file and click on Open. Enter your password if asked for and click on OK. Click on Extract secret files.
