Best Ways to Hide or Unhide Windows 11 Files

A Windows 11 user may want to hide files for many reasons. Some of the reasons may include reducing the risk of unwanted modification, deletion, or unauthorized sharing. Also, it may help to remove unnecessary file clusters to help you find needed files without combing through unnecessary folders.

You can hide sensitive documents, photos, or videos from prying eyes, helping to add extra security layers. If using a password to secure your user account does not cut it, it is possible to hide targeted files and folders from showing in File Explorer and Windows Search. Let’s see how to do this.

Removing a folder with Settings

Removing a folder with settings in Windows 11 can help to hide or unhide folders by removing it from the search options. Here is how to do it:

1. Hold Windows + I at once to open Windows Settings and select Privacy & Security.
   
2. Then, click Searching Windows.
   
3.  Navigate to the Exclude folders from enhanced search section, then click Add an excluded folder.
   
4. Select the folder you intend to hide, then click Select Folder.
   
5. Finally, close the Settings window.

Remove a specific file/folder

Removing specific files/folders through Settings in Windows 11 can help to hide files by facilitating the hide and unhide functions. It can also remove an item from the search options. Here is how to do it:

1. Hold Windows + I at once to open Windows Settings and select Privacy & Security.
   
2. Then, click Searching Windows.
   
3.  Check if the folder is available on the list under Exclude folders from enhanced search section or click Add an excluded folder.
   
4. Select the folder you intend to hide, then click Select Folder.
   
5. Click on the ellipses next to the desired folder and choose Remove.
   

Use Windows Explorer to Hide files in Windows 11

Windows Explorer, the file management tool in Windows 11, provides several functions to hide or unhide files, like hide files or folders, unhide files or folders, show hidden files and folders, and search for hidden files. Here is how to use it:

1. Hold the Windows + E keys at once to launch Windows Explorer.
   
2. Find the file or folder you intend to hide, right-click on it, then select Properties from the context menu.
   
3. Once the Properties window opens, click the General tab, tick the Hidden checkbox and click Apply.
   
4. On the confirmation window, choose the Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files option to hide the folder along with its contents.
   
5. Click OK to confirm. Windows will hide the folder and its contents from view.
   
6. However, if show hidden files option enabled, the file or folder you hid will grey, but remain visible.
7. You can toggle the hidden folder or file view either on or off by clicking View from the File Explorer toolbar, hover over Show, then click Hidden items to make it visible or not.
   

Use Terminal to Hide files in Windows 11

Windows Terminal is a command-line interface for accessing different command-line tools and shells. Using this method to hide or unhide files in Windows 11, you would typically use command-line commands. Here is how to do it:

1. Press Windows + X keys simultaneously and select Terminal (Admin).
   
2. On the next window, click Yes to confirm.
3. When Windows PowerShell opens, enter the following commands and hit Enter after each to hide folder. Replace the folder path with the correct folder or file path.
   $FILE=Get-Item "folder path" -Force
$FILE.Attributes="Hidden"
   
4. Otherwise, run the following command to hide the folder contents:
   Get-ChildItem -path "path to folder" -Recurse -Force | foreach {$_.attributes = "Hidden"}

Use Indexing Options to Hide files in Windows 11

The Indexing Options in the Control Panel of Windows 11 allow you to control file visibility by including or excluding specific locations from the search index. By removing a folder from the index, its contents will not appear in search results. Conversely, adding a folder to the index ensures its files will be searchable.

Here is how to hide files with Indexing Options:

1. Press the Windows + S keys at once, search for indexing options and hit Enter.
   
2. Once the next dialog opens, click the Advanced button.
   
3. Then, open the File Types tab and find the file type you intend to hide.
4. Uncheck the relevant checkbox associated, then click OK.
   

In conclusion, Windows 11 offers several effective methods to hide or unhide files, enabling users to safeguard their sensitive data or keep certain files private. Whether using the built-in File Explorer options, or any other method, there are various approaches to choose from based on your specific requirements.

Following the recommended steps and employing these techniques will help you confidently keep your files hidden from prying eyes or easily reveal them when needed, ensuring the security and privacy of your data on your Windows 11 PC.