How to Hide a Specific Folder from Search Results on Windows

This practical guide walks through how to hide a specific folder from search results on Windows, explains the main requirements, and highlights common issues that may appear along the way.

Hide a folder from search results on Windows 11

By default, Windows 11 will search for items in the Documents, Pictures, Music, and Desktop folders on the system.

To start hiding a folder in Windows search results, first open the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC by pressing the Windows + i keyboard shortcut.

In the Settings interface that opens, from the left menu bar, click on 'Privacy & Security'.

On the 'Privacy & Security' page, under 'Windows Permissions', click 'Searching Windows'.

On the 'Searching Windows' page you will see under 'Exclude Folders From Enhanced Search' show folders hidden from search results.To add one or more other folders to this list, click 'Add' an Excluded Folder'.

You will see the 'Select Folder' window appear. In this window, select the folder you want to hide in the search results.

The path of the folder you selected will appear in the 'Exclude Folders From Enhanced Search' section. This confirms that your folder is now hidden from search results.

It's all as simple as that! Wishing you a successful completion.