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
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Picture 1 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Open File Explorer. Click the File ExplorerPicture 2 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows - Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win+E keys simultaneously.
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Picture 3 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Navigate to the item you wish to hide. This method works for both files and folders. -
Picture 4 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Open the item Properties. Right-click the item and click Properties from the context menu.- 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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Picture 5 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Open Advanced Attributes. Click the Advanced button towards the bottom of the Properties window, on the same line as "Attributes:" and the checkboxes. - Uncheck:
- For files: allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file properties
- For folders: allow files in this folder to have contents indexed in addition to file properties
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Picture 6 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Click the OK button in the Advanced Attributes window. -
Picture 7 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Click the OK or Apply button in the Properties window.- 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.
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Picture 8 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows 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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Picture 9 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Open Indexing Options. Click the StartPicture 10 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows -
Picture 11 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Click the "Users" folder from the included locations list. -
Picture 12 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Click Modify. -
Picture 13 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Double-click "Users" in the bottom box (Summary of selected locations). -
Picture 14 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Navigate down the hierarchy until you find the folder you wish to de-index. Use the > button to expand down the tree.- If wanted, uncheck folders along the way.
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Picture 15 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows 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. - Click the OK button. It's at the bottom of the Indexed Locations window.
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Picture 16 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows 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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Picture 17 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Open File Explorer. Click the File ExplorerPicture 18 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows - Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win+E keys simultaneously.
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Picture 19 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Navigate to the item you wish to hide. This method works for both files and folders. -
Picture 20 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Click the item you wish to de-index. -
Picture 21 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Click the View tab in the ribbon. It's located at the top of the File Explorer window. -
Picture 22 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Click "Hide selected items". It's in the "Show/hide" portion of the ribbon. -
Picture 23 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows 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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Picture 24 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Open Windows Explorer. Click the File ExplorerPicture 25 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows - Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win+E keys simultaneously.
- In Windows XP, a shortcut to Explorer can be found under "start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer".[2]
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Picture 26 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Navigate to the item you wish to hide. This method works for both files and folders. -
Picture 27 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Click the item you wish to de-index. -
Picture 28 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Open the item Properties. Right-click the item and click Properties from the context menu. -
Picture 29 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Check the "Hidden" box in the Attributes section. It's towards the bottom of the Properties Window. -
Picture 30 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows Click the OK or Apply button in the Properties window.- 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.
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Picture 31 of How to Hide a File or Folder from Search Results in Microsoft Windows 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.
Update 04 March 2020
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