Create a invisible folder in explorer

[sujay]

We all know that, to hide secret information we can hide the folder containing all sensitive files by making it hidden from it's properties and by unchecking show hidden folders from folder options. But anyone having access to that computer can find this if he knows the name of that file by doing a thorough search. So it would be a fun if you can give an invisible name to the folder and also if you can assign an invisible icon to that folder.
But how to give an invisible name? If you create a new folder and delete the default name new folder and press enter, default name comes again. Also if you delete the name and want to enter characters by pressing Space one or more times, and then press enter, same thing happens, default name comes over.
So, what to do...!!
You can't give name by only entrering the character space,
So, if you can enter a key combination that ultimately leads to space, problem will be solved.
So, here you go...
Delete the default name and press Alt+0+1+6+0
or Alt+2+5+5 and press enter.
Either of these two key combinations lead to space.
Remember, you have to enter all the numbers sequentially keeping Alt pressed. After that release the Alt key and press enter.
So, you have created an invisible name.
Now how to assign an invisible icon. Well that is much easier.
Right Click on the folder and go to properties or select the folder and press Alt & enter at the same time, this will open folder properties.
Go to Customize tab, and under Folder Icons click on Change Icon.
Scroll the horizontal bar and you can get four invisible icons there (all are same)
invisible icon.jpg
Select any one and press OK.
Also press OK in the at new folder preperties window.
Congrats you are done.. You have a completely invisible folder.
invisible icon2.jpg
But keep it in a place where you can remember. Otherwise it will be difficult for you to find this.
But remeber there are ways to locate this..
1. If you press select all, it will be selected also and you can get a impression that something is there.
2. If you have multiple folders and these are arranged in a order like by name or date. It will be there somewhere between and from the black place there anyone can doubt if there is something.
3. It will be counted in the no of folders.
So, more concrete way is
make your folder invisible and hide it from folder properties.
else if you need MORE protection of your confidential matter, install something like folder lock

[hellnoire]

If you really think this will work, think again.

Any third party explorer replacement will see it, so will Mac and Linux.

You'd be best encrypting your folder, failing that, TrueCrypt.

Seriously... I facepalmed at this and I'll facepalm again to anyone who does this and claims it's secure.

[sujay]

If you really think this will work, think again.

Any third party explorer replacement will see it, so will Mac and Linux.

You'd be best encrypting your folder, failing that, TrueCrypt.

Seriously... I facepalmed at this and I'll facepalm again to anyone who does this and claims it's secure.

It's just a less secure trick hellnoire.. I know there are ways to bypass it, but I think it's probably a good way to hide a folder without any 3rd party software. Encrypting will not hide it, isn't it? Suppose you are using a public computer like in an institute with guest access only. Then you can't install a software like and also I am unsure if you can encrypt a folder without administrative rights.

[hellnoire]

If you're using a public computer, you're already messed for security, so why bother trying is my logic. Chances are extremely good there's a keylogger or a piece of spyware already installed and watching you.

And hiding doesn't keep your stuff secure unless someone doesn't know their stuff. Encryption is the only way to go if you want security.... look at the amount of data theft in the world, and tell me... do you seriously believe hiding that info, or encrypting it with 128-bit encryption, which would work better?

[sujay]

If you're using a public computer, you're already messed for security, so why bother trying is my logic. Chances are extremely good there's a keylogger or a piece of spyware already installed and watching you.

And hiding doesn't keep your stuff secure unless someone doesn't know their stuff. Encryption is the only way to go if you want security.... look at the amount of data theft in the world, and tell me... do you seriously believe hiding that info, or encrypting it with 128-bit encryption, which would work better?

hel, don't take this too seriously. I am not talking about highly sensitive data. Firstly of all we should not keep that in public computers and secondly comparison between this trick and encryption is useless. Encryption is better by all means. I was talking about security in a lighter sense. Suppose you are not permitted to download songs/video/software in that PC and you did that. Then it can be useful to keep those out of other's sight. And keylogger, I have not seen that much security in any public computers (in my institute) till date. I know my knowledge/experience is limited.
But lets forget all this security stuffs. Lets just take this as a trick or something.

[Odie]

@ sujay: Maybe you also should have given credit to the original poster

[sujay]

@ Odie: yes I should. But I didn't remember where I learned about it.. It was a long time ago...

[Alboguy]

It's an old trick. It works only on WinXP.

[grr]

Nice trick Sujay....

[sujay]

It's an old trick. It works only on WinXP.

It may be a old trick, but it works on all versions of windows.... I have tried it on vista and win7.