On Home windows 11, File Explorer acts as a hub for all of the recordsdata saved in your pc. That features private paperwork and images, but additionally vital system recordsdata and app knowledge.
Not solely do you not require entry to most of those, accessing them and making modifications may trigger critical issues to your system. Equally, there might merely be private recordsdata that you just’d relatively no-one else can see.
Happily, Microsoft allows you to cover any file or folder in Home windows 11, and it requires only some easy steps. Accessing them once more is comparatively simple, too – right here’s the best way to do each.
How you can cover a file or folder in Home windows 11
If a file or folder will be present in File Explorer, it may be hidden. Right here’s how:
Choose any recordsdata/folders and open Properties
Open File Explorer. Discover any file or folder that you just’d like to cover and spotlight them (you may select a number of without delay by holding down Ctrl every time you click on).
Proper-click any of the chosen ones and select ‘Properties.
Add hidden attribute
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Allow for all sub-folders and recordsdata (if relevant)
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In the event you’ve chosen a folder containing sub-folders or recordsdata, a pop-up will seem.
Ensure the button subsequent to ‘Apply modifications to this folder, subfolders and recordsdata’ is chosen, then click on ‘OK’.
Affirm change
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To finish the method, click on ‘OK’ to exit.
You possibly can then repeat these steps for every other recordsdata or folders you’d like to cover. The method occurs instantly, and means they’ll disappear from their standard sections and now not seem in searches.
This file or folder will probably be hidden instantly and received’t present up in any searches by default.
How you can unhide a file or folder in Home windows 11
To cease a file from being hidden, you’ll first must make all hidden recordsdata seen in File Explorer:
- Click on the ‘View’ button on the prime of the File Explorer window
- Hover over the ‘Present’ button
- From the choices that seem, click on ‘Hidden gadgets’
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If you wish to view or make modifications to a file or folder, this will probably be totally accessible and behave as regular. As soon as full, repeat the steps above to cover them as soon as extra.
However in case you’d wish to unhide them completely, you’ll additionally must comply with these steps:
- Open File Explorer and discover any hidden recordsdata or folders that you just’d wish to unhide
- Choose all that apply, then right-click and select ‘Properties’
- Below the ‘Common’ tab, uncheck the field below ‘Attributes’ that’s labelled ‘Hidden’. Click on ‘Apply’
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- In the event you’ve chosen a folder containing sub-folders or recordsdata, a pop-up will seem. Ensure the button subsequent to ‘Apply modifications to this folder, subfolders and recordsdata’ is chosen, then click on ‘OK’
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- Click on ‘OK’ once more to substantiate
- Repeat for any others you’d wish to unhide
How you can cover or unhide a file utilizing Command Immediate
An alternate methodology is on the market by way of the Command Immediate window:
- Open Command Immediate
- Paste ‘cd c:/SECRET-FILES-LOCATION’, changing ‘SECRET-FILES-LOCATION’ with the file path in File Explorer, then hit enter
- Enter the particular title of the file or folder that you just’d like to cover and hit enter
- Paste ‘attrib +h /s /d’ and hit enter.
To unhide it, repeat the steps above, however change the command in step 4 with ‘attrib -h /s /d.
Nonetheless, it’s price emphasising that it isn’t essential to use this methodology. Going by way of File Explorer is far simpler and achieves the identical consequence.