There are many reasons why we might want to hide certain files from our computer. For example, suppose we share a laptop with our partner, and we are organizing a surprise birthday party, which will include a projection with images and videos about the evolution of the relationship over the years.
Hours and hours of hard work so that, suddenly, our curious couple finds the folder where we keep everything as we edit our creation. From that moment on, two things can happen: he closes everything and consciously “forgets” what he has seen, or he asks us what we are up to and the surprise annoys us (because obviously we will discover that he already knows). What can we do about it?
A simple option is to know how we can hide a file or a folder on our desktop or laptop, something that can be done regardless of the operating system we use, since both Windows and iOS offer us that possibility.
Hiding folders or files in Windows
To hide a file or folder in Windows, we must access Windows Explorer, or File Explorer, and find the folder or file that we want to hide. Then, we must click on it by clicking with the right mouse button, and select the Properties option.
Now we will have to activate the Hidden check box in the General panel, within the Properties window, and finally click OK or Apply. The file or folder will be hidden automatically.
And how can we see them again, for example to continue working with our surprise projection? It is just as simple. If you use Windows 8 or 10, you must click on the View tab on the ribbon, which you will find at the top of the File Explorer window, and enable the Hidden items check box, under Show / Hide.
If you use Windows 7, you must click on the Organize button, in the toolbar, and select Folder and search options. Then click the View tab and select the Show hidden files, folders, and drives option. To finish, click on OK or Apply so that all the changes are saved.
How to hide files in macOS X
As you might imagine, you are correct if we tell you that hiding files or folders is slightly more difficult on macOS than on Windows. To achieve this as quickly as possible, we must open the Terminal and use the ‘chflags’ command. To do this, we must first open a Terminal window by pressing Command + Space, typing Terminal in the Spotlight search dialog and pressing Enter.
Once inside, we must write the command ‘chflags hidden’ (without pressing Enter), leave a space and paste the location of the file or folder you want to hide (you will find the full location by accessing it from Finder).
Although you can also do it in a simpler way: simply by opening Finder, and dragging and dropping said file in the terminal. Then the exact path of the file, or folder, will appear in the indicated place. Finally, press Enter for the command to run.
And how to access hidden files and folders? The truth is that macOS X has a secret keyboard shortcut that offers the ability to see hidden files and folders in the Open or Save dialog of any program. You just have to press Command + Shift + Period. Although you should know that this option will not work in Finder.
