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How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows

This wikiHow article will teach you the steps to hiding a file or folder (de-indexing it) from your PC's search results in Microsoft Windows. Open File Explorer. Click the File Explorer taskbar icon which resembles a file folder.
Method 1 of 4:

Using the Advanced Attributes in Properties for Either Files and Folders

  1. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 1How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 1
    Open File Explorer. Click the File Explorer
    How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 2How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 2
    taskbar icon which resembles a file folder.
    1. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win+E keys simultaneously.
  2. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 3How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 3
    Navigate to the item you wish to hide. This method works for both files and folders.
  3. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 4How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 4
    Open the item Properties. Right-click the item and click Properties from the context menu.
    1. You can also click the "Properties" option in the ribbon, which is present in the Windows 10 and 8 File Explorer.
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    Open Advanced Attributes. Click the Advanced button towards the bottom of the Properties window, on the same line as "Attributes:" and the checkboxes.
  5. Uncheck:
    1. For files: allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file properties
    2. For folders: allow files in this folder to have contents indexed in addition to file properties
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    Click the OK button in the Advanced Attributes window.
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    Click the OK or Apply button in the Properties window.
    1. The only difference between the two is that clicking OK will save your changes and close the window, whereas Apply will save your changes while leaving the Properties window open.
  8. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 8How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 8
    Confirm the attribute changes, if you've opted to de-index a folder. You'll be asked to confirm that you want to disable indexing. Ensure the radio button next to "Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files" is selected, then click OK.
Method 2 of 4:

Using the Indexing Options for Folders

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    Open Indexing Options. Click the Start
    How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 10How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 10
    button or search bar to initiate the search feature, type indexing options, then choose the matching result.[1]
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    Click the "Users" folder from the included locations list.
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    Click Modify.
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    Double-click "Users" in the bottom box (Summary of selected locations).
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    Navigate down the hierarchy until you find the folder you wish to de-index. Use the > button to expand down the tree.
    1. If wanted, uncheck folders along the way.
  6. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 15How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 15
    Uncheck the box next to the folder you wish to de-index. Unchecking a folder will de-index everything placed underneath it in the hierarchy.
  7. Click the OK button. It's at the bottom of the Indexed Locations window.
  8. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 16How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 16
    Click Close. It's at the bottom of the Indexing Options window.
Method 3 of 4:

Hiding Items for Files and Folders (Windows 10 and 8)

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    Open File Explorer. Click the File Explorer
    How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 18How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 18
    taskbar icon which resembles a file folder.
    1. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win+E keys simultaneously.
  2. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 19How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 19
    Navigate to the item you wish to hide. This method works for both files and folders.
  3. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 20How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 20
    Click the item you wish to de-index.
  4. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 21How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 21
    Click the View tab in the ribbon. It's located at the top of the File Explorer window.
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    Click "Hide selected items". It's in the "Show/hide" portion of the ribbon.
  6. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 23How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 23
    Ensure the "Hidden items" checkbox is unchecked. It's in the "Show/hide" portion of the ribbon.
Method 4 of 4:

Hiding Items for Files and Folders (Windows 7 and Under)

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    Open Windows Explorer. Click the File Explorer
    How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 25How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 25
    taskbar icon which resembles a file folder.
    1. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win+E keys simultaneously.
    2. In Windows XP, a shortcut to Explorer can be found under "start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer".[2]
  2. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 26How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 26
    Navigate to the item you wish to hide. This method works for both files and folders.
  3. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 27How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 27
    Click the item you wish to de-index.
  4. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 28How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 28
    Open the item Properties. Right-click the item and click Properties from the context menu.
  5. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 29How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 29
    Check the "Hidden" box in the Attributes section. It's towards the bottom of the Properties Window.
  6. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 30How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 30
    Click the OK or Apply button in the Properties window.
    1. The only difference between the two is that clicking OK will save your changes and close the window, whereas Apply will save your changes while leaving the Properties window open.
  7. How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 31How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Picture 31
    Confirm the attribute changes, if you've opted to hide a folder. You'll be asked to confirm that you want to hide it. Ensure the radio button next to "Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files" is selected, then click OK.
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