Securely hiding folders as system folders

A post after a loooooong time.

In today's post I'll be explaining how you can 'securely' hide your personal files and folders without the use of any third party software. Even if you don't intend to hide the files/folders in this manner it'll be an interesting read to find out about this feature in Windows XP, which I am pretty sure many wouldn't be knowing.

The most obvious way of hiding technique used by everyone is to Right click --> Properties --> Hidden.

But one change in folder options and the color difference between the different folders is an instant giveaway.

Now try this. Go to your windows drive (C:), choose 'Show hidden files and folders' from folder options. Keep a note of how many folders/files you are able to see. There won't be much unless you had created a hidden folder there previously.

Now go to
Tools --> Folder Options --> Choose View tab

Scroll down and you will see "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" selected.

Deselect it choose yes, then OK.




Now in your c: aren't you seeing hidden folders "$RECYCLE.BIN", "System Volume Information" and many more? These are System files and folders which are not shown even if the 'Show hidden files and folders' options is selected.

So the trick is to convert your secret (confidential) files/folders into system files and folders!! This process is pretty simple.
1. Start the command prompt (Start --> Run --> type 'cmd' without the quotes.
2. type cd\
3. Suppose the files/folders to be securely hidden are at d:\cooltechtrix

At the command prompt type

'attrib +S +H d:\cooltechtrix\*.* /S /D'



without quotes. Hit enter. Thats it everything inside the folder cooltechtrix is now completely hidden. The contents can be viewed by only by deselecting "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)". To bring the folders back to normal condition from system folders use - instead of +.

Note that the name of the folder should not contain a space in between. Eg. if its "New Folder", rename it as New_Folder and then proceed.
Type attrib/? in the command prompt for various uses of the command.

Simple ain't it? This whole thing struck me when a virus on my pen drive caused all my folders to vanish even when the 'Show hidden files and folders' was selected. It was then that my friend blackera (alias), said that all the virus had done was converted the pen drive contents into system files and helped me restore the folders to normal condition using the attrib command.

By the way to give more protection to the folder you can combine it with this invisible folder trick.

Please feel free to ask if anything is unclear.

Don't have time to check the blog daily?
Why not subscribe ?
(You will receive a email whenever a new post is published)

Previous Post(Yahoo Web Messenger)
Popular posts.
-- Multiple login in Yahoo messenger.
-- Make your folder invisible.
-- Lock your folders without any software.

View list of posts

Yahoo Web Messenger

Yahoo has released a new Flash version of its Messenger for the Web. Compared to the earlier javascript version, this one is simply amazing. Its still in the beta stage.

The best part of using the Web version is no downloading, no installation .Just login and start chatting. Also since it loads in the browser, may work in places where IM clients are blocked. Go try it now. When chatting with many people, the chats open as tabs. So no problem of juggling the chat windows.



Don't have time to check the blog daily?
Why not subscribe ?
(You will receive a email whenever a new post is published)

Previous post(Joke program.)
Popular posts.
-- Multiple login in Yahoo messenger.
-- Make your folder invisible.
-- Lock your folders without any software.

View list of posts

How I created the Joke program.

A post after a long time delay. I am about to reveal the much awaited trick for creating the 'simple' joke program.

Before reading this run this file on your own PC. Thats the joke program mentioned here. Its harmless. Let the PC restart and come back here. A pop up box will come during every next startup. Something like this



Now that you have seen what happens we'll see how it happens.
Open the registry by typing regedit in the run dialog box.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon .
On the right pane look out for 'LegalNoticeCaption'. Double click it. What do you see? Yes http://cooltechtrix.blogspot.com . That's the title of the Dialog box that comes up. You can change it to whatever you want.

Now just below that you will see 'LegalNoticeText' .Open it and you can see the text of the dialog box. Again you can put in your own words.

This is how it is done. But how to implement this in another computer where you just send a exe file? The trick is in using inf files and a hidden windows utility which I will be sharing in the next tutorial.

To bring back your PC to normalcy run this file.

Liked it? Do give your feedback by commenting.

Subscribe for receiving email notifications of new posts.

Digg This, Reddit, Bvibe it.

Previous post(Reduce the Scan Disk check time delay.)
Popular posts.
-- Multiple login in Yahoo messenger.
-- Make your folder invisible.
-- Lock your folders without any software.

View list of posts