Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Hidden Shared Folder in Windows 11/10

This article will guide you through a straightforward procedure to set up a hidden shared folder on Windows 10 and 11. This feature is particularly useful when you want to securely share folders across multiple devices within your network. By creating a hidden shared folder, you add an extra layer of security to your files.

Steps to set up a hidden shared folder on Windows 11/10

Follow these steps to create a hidden shared folder on your Windows 10 or 11 device:

• Launch File Explorer by pressing the Windows+E keys together.
• Find the folder you wish to share.
• Right-click on the folder and select Properties.
• In the Properties: window, navigate to the Sharing tab.
• Click the Advanced Sharing option.

• Check the box that says Share this folder.
• In the next section labeled Settings, provide a name for your shared folder, ensuring to append a $ sign at the end to keep it hidden (e.g., Desktop$). Avoid using spaces within the Share name. Set the maximum number of users who can access it simultaneously, as needed.
• Click on Apply and then hit the OK button.

• The previous dialog window will reappear; select the Share button.
• On the following screen, enter a name or select a user from the dropdown to share the folder.

• Press the Add button and designate the Permission Level. The default option is Read, which only allows users to view and open files. Selecting Read/Write grants users permission to view, open, alter, and delete documents within the shared folder.
• Finally, follow the prompts by clicking Share, then Done, followed by Apply, and conclude with OK.

After executing these steps, the shared folder will not appear in your computer’s interface. However, it will remain accessible through its path, such as \\10.1.2.12\Desktop$.

Understanding hidden shares in Windows

A hidden share, often referred to as an Administrative Share, is a type of network share in a Microsoft environment that remains concealed when viewing shares from another computer. Although it’s not visible, it can still be accessed if the share’s name is known.

How to reveal hidden files on Windows 11/10?

If you want to display all hidden files across any storage devices, you can modify your file browser settings as follows:

• Press Windows+E to open File Explorer.
• Select the View dropdown menu.
• Then go to Show > Hidden items.
• You’ll see a checkmark appear next to the Hidden Items option.
• You can toggle the visibility of hidden files by clicking the Hidden Items button again.

What is the purpose of a hidden folder?

The primary goal of a hidden folder is to reduce the risk of unintentionally deleting essential files. However, it’s not advisable to rely on hidden files for safeguarding sensitive information since they can still be accessed easily. Hidden files are represented by faint icons in Windows Explorer.