Instructions for hiding files and folders in Windows 10 Search

In Windows 10, the Cortana box or Windows Search item can help you search all files and folders in your computer. However, if you don't want others to view certain files or folders, you can hide them in Windows search results. Let's see how to hide a folder so it doesn't appear in the search results of File Explorer, Cortana or Search item in the taskbar!

Hide Files and Folders from Search results in Windows 10

To start, click the Cortana or Search icon on the Taskbar and type indexing options . Then, click Indexing Options in the results that appear.

Instructions for hiding files and folders in Windows 10 Search Picture 1

Modify Included Locations

Included Locations are listed in the Indexing Options dialog box. To hide these files and folders, click Modify.

Instructions for hiding files and folders in Windows 10 Search Picture 2

All folders displayed in the search item are included in the Change selected locations box in the Indexed Locations dialog box.

To search for the folder you want to hide, click the arrow next to Local Disk (C :) or another hard drive.

Instructions for hiding files and folders in Windows 10 Search Picture 3

In the directory tree, navigate to the folder you want to hide and uncheck the box next to that folder.

Note: You can only hide files by unchecking the folder containing the files. So, if you want to hide a specific file in the folder that contains many other files, move the file to a new folder. Or you can create a folder containing all the files to hide.

The folder you unchecked will be added to the User folders in the Summary of selected locations section.

Click OK.

Instructions for hiding files and folders in Windows 10 Search Picture 4

Rebuild the index

Now, we need to rebuild the index to exclude the selected folders.

Go back to the Indexing Options dialog box and click Advanced.

Note: The folder you selected is hidden listed in the Exclude column in the Indexing Options dialog box.

You need administrative rights to access advanced indexing options. So, update your account password if required.

Instructions for hiding files and folders in Windows 10 Search Picture 5

In the Indexing Options window, click Rebuild in the Troubleshooting section.

Note that index rebuilding can also fix problems with Windows search.

Instructions for hiding files and folders in Windows 10 Search Picture 6

The dialog box displays a message that rebuilding the index may take a long time to complete, click OK.

Close the Indexing Options window and wait until the index rebuild process is complete. At that time, the folders and files you choose to hide will disappear completely from the search results of Windows.

Good luck!

You can see more:

  1. 7 ways to turn off Windows 10 laptop screen
  2. 17 shortcuts contain Shift useful in Windows
  3. Automatic computer shutdown timer for Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP
5 ★ | 1 Vote

May be interested

  • How to delete files and folders on DropboxHow to delete files and folders on Dropbox
    after a long time using dropbox leads to more and more storage space on dropbox. you should clean up dropbox, delete files or folders that are no longer in use.
  • How to exclude files and folders with Robocopy in Windows 10How to exclude files and folders with Robocopy in Windows 10
    on windows 10, robocopy is a powerful command-line file management tool. in this guide, you'll learn the steps to copy data with robocopy on windows 10, except for unnecessary files and folders.
  • Advanced search in Windows 7 is similar to Windows XPAdvanced search in Windows 7 is similar to Windows XP
    when you need a file on your computer, finding them varies a lot between windows 7 and windows xp. today, everyone should familiarize themselves with the new start menu with a much improved search box compared to the windows xp interface ...
  • 7 files and folders Windows can delete to free up space7 files and folders Windows can delete to free up space
    windows contains many unnecessary files and folders from hidden caches, old files you can delete to free up space. but knowing whether it is safe to delete those folders and files seems to be a challenge.
  • How to show and hide files in Windows 10How to show and hide files in Windows 10
    how to show and hide files in windows 10. show and hide files is a feature available on windows that helps the system protect important files not displayed and can accidentally be accidentally deleted by the user. if you do not know how to turn on and off the feature of hiding and hiding files on windows 10, let's find out how to perform through the following article.
  • How to show hidden files, hidden folders in Windows 10, Windows 7How to show hidden files, hidden folders in Windows 10, Windows 7
    how to show hidden files, hidden folders in windows 10, windows 7. in some cases, users actively hide files or folders of their important data to ensure safety. however, many times, when we hide, we don't know how to display it
  • Instructions on how to encrypt files and folders on UbuntuInstructions on how to encrypt files and folders on Ubuntu
    ubuntu possesses many advanced security features that users may not know about. for example, libreoffice users can encrypt files and folders on ubuntu extremely simply but extremely securely. so what is that feature and how to use it on ubuntu for files and folders?
  • How to use the file search command on Windows, find saved filesHow to use the file search command on Windows, find saved files
    having trouble finding saved files on your computer? discover how to search for files on windows quickly and accurately, saving you time and not missing important files.
  • How to find files / folders taking up a large capacity on WindowsHow to find files / folders taking up a large capacity on Windows
    how to quickly search for large files and folders on windows computers? how to use treesize to find large files ..
  • How to delete folder and file search history in Windows Explorer?How to delete folder and file search history in Windows Explorer?
    on windows operating systems (windows 7, windows 8, windows 10), windows explorer remembers the location of files and folders when you type in the address bar on windows explorer. the files and folders when you enter will be displayed automatically accessible by clicking the down arrow at the end of the address bar to drop down the list.