How to hide folders by making them hidden and system (very weak)

This method of hiding files and folders in Windows XP offers very weak protection. However it is very easy and doesn't require any software, so it might be a good way of protection against newbies thay may use your PC.

First of all, if you have a folder you want to hide, don't move it to an obvious place like "My Documents". I recommend you to create a folder on disk where there are no operating systems. It is a good idea to put it into location where someone would not typically look into. For example, create "D:\System" folder.

Now that you have a folder created in a strange location and your files are stored in that folder, we can make it hidden (and system).
To make your folder hidden:

1. Right-click on the folder
2. Check the "Hidden" attribute
3. Hit the "Apply" button and the "Ok" button.

If you have a file manager like freeware Unreal Commander, you may change the attributes of the folder and make it not only hidden, but also system. In Unreal Commander:

1. Select the folder
2. Click File -> Change attributes.
3. Check the "Hidden" and "System" attributes and hit the "Ok" button.

Now that your folder is Hidden (and System) we need to change the setting of Windows Explorer.

1. Open "My Computer"
2. From the drop-down menu slect "Tools" -> "Folder options"
3. Check the "Hidden" and "System" attributes and hit the "Ok" button.
4. Select the "View" tab
5. Under the "Hidden Files and Folders" select "Do not show hidden files and folders".
6. Hit the "Apply" button
7. Hit the "Apply to all folders" button
8. Hit the "Ok" button

Click OK and your folder should no longer be visible in Windows Explorer.

Please note that file managers like Unreal Commander have their own settings for showing Hidden and System files.

If you need to get access to your hidden folder, just change the settings of Windows Explorer by selecting the option "Show Hidden Files and Folders"


Advantages:

• Free
• No software required

Disadvantages:

• Very weak protection (only helps to hide files from newbies).
• Changing setting all the time takes time

You can make folder System and hidden from command line by using the attrib command:

attrib foldername +s +h

To remove hidden and system attributes from the folder use

attrib foldername -s -h

Example:

attrib D:\System +s +h
attrib D:\System -s -h

Please note that you can show system and hidden files and folders from command prompt by using the following command:

dir /as /ah