How to create a really invisible folder

Posted on 22 March, 2007
This item is filed under [Fun, Tips & Tricks, Windows XP]

March 22, 2007 · 32 comments

This is a trick to make a folder invisible. We are not going to try to hide the file anywhere. In fact the folder would be right before your eyes but you can’t see it. Sounds intriguing? Actually it is very simple – just 2 steps.

Here’s how:

You can either create a new folder or choose an existing folder. While naming or renaming the folder hold [Alt] Key and enter “0160” (without the quotes). Release the [Alt] Key. You can notice that the name part of the folder is just a blank. What we have done is we have inserted a ‘Non-Breaking Space‘ as the name of the folder virtually making it appear as if the folder has no name. You can’t do this just by typing a space using the space-bar. That doesn’t work. Try it for yourself.

Now right-click on the folder and select “Properties” and choose the “Customize” tab. Click on the “Change Icon” button. Scroll along and you should find a few blank spaces. Click on any one of them and click Ok. That’s it. You can’t see the folder anymore.

Of course, if you select the folder (click on the folder), it will get highlighted.

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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }

Ravi March 23, 2007 at 1:11 am

Excellent !! Your blog is turning out to be fantastic ! You should contribute to http://slashdot.org which has high visibility. Dude, you must certainly switch jobs and come over to IT. Think of IT security. With your background you will be good in this field. CISSP and IT Security Audit roles fetch good money and will suit you.

My two cents worth of advice ! :-)

Reply

Suresh March 23, 2007 at 1:49 am

Thanks a lot Ravi. I hope some prospective employer sees your comment and gives me a ring.:)

Reply

Jimmy September 27, 2007 at 2:09 am

Doesent seem to work for me it keeps saying “a file cannot contain any of these charachters….etc

help please

Reply

Shind October 3, 2007 at 8:16 pm

Sir,I created a new folder in the desktop…and then followed ur procedure…I can make the folder invisible…but the folder name(New folder) remains there….

Plzzz tell me wat to do..

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ntn January 2, 2010 at 12:47 pm

if u r using leptop than don’t follow the numbers from top but use the numbers from the words keys i.e alt+m+j+o+m and you are done,,,,,,,,,,,

Reply

Tomos November 27, 2007 at 3:18 am

Yes, but when you select “thumbnails” in”wiews” folder just pops out!! GRR..

Reply

mike May 14, 2008 at 7:20 am

when you do the code use the numbers on the right side of the keyboard

use the code (alt) 255 ist faster

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Jorge Calçada May 19, 2008 at 1:08 am

Eu criei a pasta no Vista e agr nao tenho como a deletar ! :(

Ajudem ! :(

Reply

arcane July 8, 2008 at 10:02 pm

one tings you should of mentioned to the noobies
…make sure you have num lock on when typing the numbers.

Reply

ThePagemaster July 13, 2008 at 8:10 am

I ran into a problem. I can get it working but I can’t get it to stop working. I can’t rename it, move it or delete it. Help please?

Reply

Justin August 3, 2008 at 9:19 pm

I got it to work, but when using Vista and scroll over with your cursoor, it still makes a blue box around it:-(

Reply

nobody January 29, 2010 at 6:12 pm

That’s because it’s not hidden, it’s just invisible to a passing examination.

Reply

dipak August 6, 2008 at 10:18 am

Thank U Sir !
I just Want to Know How this actually Occures when we press alt+0160 ?
is it the ASCII code for blank Space or any other thing is there ?
can we do this in other way ?

Reply

dipak August 6, 2008 at 10:26 am

Thank U Sir !
Now I have another Problem !!!!
My task manager has been disabled by Virus.
when i press ctrl+alt+del it shows msg that : task manager has been disabled by Administrator.
command prompt has also been disabled and when i double click on the administrative tools it does not opens.
what can i do for that ? can U Please help me?

Reply

Sagar August 6, 2008 at 10:15 pm

good one dude……hey any more triks….please do share them….

Reply

josh September 14, 2008 at 5:02 pm

HOW DO I DELETE IT PLZ SOMEONE HELP!!!!its annoying

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karan August 3, 2010 at 1:59 am

IDIOT JUST DELETE IT AS NORMAL

U MUPPET

TRY TO USE UR BRAIN AT LEAST FOR THIS.

Reply

Ron September 24, 2008 at 4:11 pm

A1OK super excellent thanks man :-)

Reply

dave October 14, 2008 at 1:22 am

I ran into a problem. I can get it working but I can’t get it to stop working. I can’t rename it, move it or delete it. Help please?

same problem dave

Reply

dave October 20, 2008 at 10:06 pm

How to delete invisible folder DirStat free download is the only thing that works
http://windirstat.info/

Reply

Dark November 14, 2008 at 3:17 pm

It worked fine for me…..
Nothing wrong with deleting it either…

Reply

Richard February 13, 2009 at 6:18 pm

Excellent ! You taught me a fantastic great thing , thank you so much ……
Can you please add me ?
Thanks !

Reply

bharat March 4, 2009 at 10:27 pm

i went thr d procedure… im able to do it… but how to delete it….

Reply

Vijay February 14, 2010 at 8:10 am

Hi.. I have created. but how to delete move it?… stuck with the problem.. can anyone help me?

Reply

matt March 9, 2009 at 9:53 am

omfg!!!
i am a hacker and i didnt know this!!! wow man u r good thx this will help

Reply

Bharat Raj March 10, 2009 at 8:38 pm

i went thr d procedure… im able to do it… but how to delete it….

Reply

Vimal July 4, 2009 at 12:28 am

MAKE IT VISIBLE AGAIN AND THE DEL IT

for making it Invisible

1.Create a new Folder
2.click on rename and remove the current name.[otherwise "NewFolder" will remain as itslef]
3.NumLock On
4.Make sure the rename option is active.
5.Press alt and dont leave it
6.Press 0160 [From Number Pad side with NumLock on and alt key pressed till the end and leave alt after pressing 0160]
7.Click anywhere outside and U will see the name gone
8.Right click On the Folder and selct properties and then Coustomize
9.Click on change ICON and a Box will come
10.Now scroll to right and u will see some blank spaces between Icons
Click on one of such blank space and it appears selected
Click ok and apply
Ur invisible folder is Ready
NOTE:_
Its not completely invisible though
select all option Creates a small Blue selection around it and also when u press refresh the folder icon is seen.

Reply

Madhukar December 8, 2009 at 9:31 am

dear…..
its not working in vista and also in laptop, nootbook
give some tips for vista.
i use attrib -s -h command to make a folder hidden.
i know there is some way to make a folder super hidden(by regedit)
and a super hidden folder is not shown in easy way.
so plz tell me that proccess to make a folder supper hidden.

Reply

Manoj Jain April 20, 2010 at 12:11 am

Excellent tip buddy…… You are a star :-) …..

Reply

valiahmed June 22, 2010 at 8:06 am

it’s great

Reply

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