It's not just about exploring files which can set the properties of your files. It can do the same job Command Prompt for both your files and folders.
File Explorer in Windows 10 lets you hide files and folders. To hide a file or folder, you need to right-click on the file/folder, click Properties, and then select the Hidden option. The secret file/folder will not show in folder explorer as long as “Don't show hidden files, folders or drives” option is enabled in folder options.
In addition to File Explorer, you can also hide files and folders through it Command Prompt. You can use the command line in case the folder options do not open or you want to hide files and folders without restarting in Windows 10. Let's see how:
Note: When you hide a file or folder using either the command prompt or the File Explorer command, the file / folder will be hidden if "Do not show hidden files, folders or drives” in Folder Options. Anyone with access to your computer can change this setting to view hidden files and folders. Therefore, if you want to hide or protect critical files or folders, we recommend you to use it software hide third-party files or if you are not interested in knowing their existence you can encrypt them.
To hide a file or folder
Step 1: Open the command prompt. You do not need to open it as an administrator. If you do not know how, press Win + X at the same time and select "Command Prompt"
Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:
atribut + h “File_or_Folder”
In the command above, replace File_or_Folder with real path to the file or folder.
For example, if the path to the file / folder is D: \ Test, then you must type:
attrib +h D:\Test
Press the Enter key to execute the command.
Advice: To copy the path to a file or folder, open File Explorer and navigate to the location of the file or folder that you want to hide. Hold down Shift, right-click on the file / folder, and then click Copy as Path to copy the file / folder path to the clipboard.
To show a hidden file or folder
Step 1: In the Command prompt window, run the following command:
attrib -s -h File_or_Folder
If you want to see how you write the attrib command in the Command Prompt, type the following: attrib /?