Create a Ghost Folder in XP & Vista

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There are endless ways to secure data stored on your PC but here’s a really simple little trick that hides a folder and its contents by making it completely invisible.

It works best on sub folders (i.e. folders within a folder). To make a folder vanish you need to do two things, give it a name using a non-printing/displaying character then replace the standard folder icon with a blank one.

Start by opening Windows Explorer or My Computer, right click on the folder icon you want to hide and select rename. Press the Numlock key and press Alt + 0160 then OK and the name box should disappear.

Next, right-click on the folder icon and select Properties, then the Customize tab then the Change Icon button at the bottom.

You’ll find the blank icons about one click to the right on the bottom scroll bar; they’re the gaps between the normal icons. Select one then click OK.

Your folder should now have disappeared so take care you don’t forget it where it is. A ghost image or flicking hyphen will appear when you hover your mouse over where the icon used to be and you can rename or delete it by right-clicking on it.