Hiding the folder from the windows explorer

Question

I am looking to hide the folder from the explorer. It should not be visible when someone unchecks the show hidden file in folder option.

Is there any Shell API to achieve this, or how do I achieve in MFC or win api or C++, etc? Any ideas and suggestions?

The Sony Rootkit did the trick, back in the day :). – Barend Apr 23 '13 at 12:33 — Barend, Apr 23 '13 at 12:33

score 0 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:57

0

Use SetFileAttributes with the flag FILE_ATTRIBUTE_HIDDEN. To ensure you don't accidentally clear other attributes you will want to read the directory attributes first using GetFileAttributes.

For example:

void hidePath( const std::wstring& path )
{
    const DWORD attributes = GetFileAttributes( path.c_str() );
    SetFileAttributes( path.c_str(), attributes | FILE_ATTRIBUTE_HIDDEN );
}

Also see: How to hide/un-hide a file without erasing other attributes in C++ on Windows

edited May 23 '17 at 11:57

Community

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answered Apr 23 '13 at 11:30

Steve

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same thing i tried BOOL createFolder12 = CreateDirectory(temp,NULL); SetFileAttributes(temp,FILE_ATTRIBUTE_HIDDEN);this will again visible when the user click the show hidden file and folder in folder option of the windows – sarfaraz Apr 23 '13 at 12:14
Your question says that you don't want it to be visible when "Show hidden files" is not checked. Do you mean you don't want it to be visible when it is checked? – Steve Apr 23 '13 at 12:17

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 25 '13 at 11:53

0

No, it is not possible using documented nor undocumented Shell API.

answered Apr 25 '13 at 11:53

Xearinox

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Then how one can achieve this. – sarfaraz Apr 26 '13 at 05:18
Hooking from kernel mode is best solution for this. – Xearinox Apr 26 '13 at 05:23
Sorry to say what is Hooking from kernel mode is it writing the file system driver for it. – sarfaraz Apr 29 '13 at 05:28

Hiding the folder from the windows explorer

2 Answers2