How to Make Undeletable Unsearchable Folder in Windows

It’s easy to hide files or folders in Windows by changing attributes to Hidden. However, it is easily hackable. There are many third-party software available that can help you make an undeletable, unsearchable folder in Windows. But you can also do it natively.

By using this method, your folders and files will become completely unsearchable. In this method, we will change the folder’s attributes to not only Hidden but also to System and Read-only.

Windows does not search system files unless directed by the user and you can’t easily delete a system folder plus it is not visible. Even if you try to delete this folder using Command Prompt, it gives an Access Denied error.

SEE ALSO: How to Hide Text into Image and Send Secret Message?

Create a Secret, Hidden Folder in Windows without any Software

You just need to create a normal folder and set its attributes to make it undeletable and unsearchable. Just follow these steps.

Step 1: Create a New Folder

First of all, create a folder with any name. In this tutorial, we have created a folder in the “C:” drive with the name Secret. You can choose another location and another name.

To create a new folder, right-click anywhere on the blank space and select New > Folder.

Create a New folder in Windows
Create a New folder in Windows

Rename this newly created folder to any desired name. We have used the name Secret.

Type a name for your undeletable and unsearchable folder
Type a name for your undeletable and unsearchable folder

Now, you can copy your secret files (documents, movies, etc.) and folders inside this ‘Secret’ folder.


SEE ALSO: How to Make an Invisible Folder in Windows?

Step 2: Make the Folder and its Content Unsearchable and Undeletable

Now, we will change the attributes of this folder (including everything inside it) to make it unsearchable and undeletable.

Press Windows Key + R to launch the RUN utility. After that, type cmd and press Enter or click OK.

Go to RUN, type cmd and press Enter
Go to RUN, type cmd and press Enter

Command Prompt window will open. We will use CMD commands to make the folder undeletable and unsearchable in Windows.

Command Prompt window
Command Prompt window

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter. This command will change the attributes of the folder.

attrib +r +h +s /s /d "C:\Secret"

Now run the following command to change the attributes of the files and subfolders of the ‘Secret’ folder.

attrib +r +h +s /s "C:\Secret\*.*"

Explanation:

attribUsed to change attributes of any file or folder. Check the ‘attrib’ documentation.
+rChange the attributes of the file or folder to Read-only.
+hChange the attributes of the file or folder to Hidden.
+sChange the attributes of the file or folder to System.
/sApply the attributes to sub-folders
“C:\Secret\*.*”Address of Target file or folder including subdirectories.
Set folder attributes to make it undeletable and unsearchable in Windows
Set folder attributes to make it undeletable and unsearchable in Windows

SEE ALSO: How to Hide Files in Image using Command Prompt?


Step 3: Try to Find Our Secret Folder

Go back to the location where you recently created the Secret folder. You will not find any Secret folder there, it has been hidden.

Now, we will try to find our secret (undeletable unsearchable) folder by enabling the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” in the Folder options in Windows Explorer.

Show hidden files folders and drives in Windows 7
Show hidden files folders in Windows

After that go back to the location where you created the Secret folder. You will still not see it there.

Secret folder not visible
The secret folder is not visible

One more try. This time, try to search the name of our secret folder in the entire drive. You will still not find it.

Secret unsearchable folder not found after searching
Secret unsearchable folder not found after searching

Step 4: View or Access the Secret Folder

So, you see the folder has become unsearchable. Besides that, if you try to delete that folder, it will give you the access denied error.

Now, we will see how to access this secret unsearchable or undeletable folder. So, first go to the location where you created that folder (in our case it is C: drive) and click on the Address bar.

Now, type the full address of that secret folder and press Enter or click on the Arrow button on the address bar to continue.

Type the address of secret undeletable unsearchable folder in address bar and press Enter
Type the address of the secret folder in the address bar and press Enter

Boom! You are right there in the Secret folder. You can’t see the content of that folder as we have changed the attributes of the Secret folder including files and subfolders.

Access or view the Secret folder in Windows
Access or view the Secret folder in Windows

To make the content of the folder accessible, run the following command in CMD with administrator rights:

attrib -r -h -s /s "C:\Secret\*.*"

Now, you can access the content of the folder easily.

SEE ALSO: How to Hide Files and Folders on Mac using Terminal?


Keep your Important Data Safe in Unsearchable Undeletable Folder

Now, you can keep your important data secure in this secret folder and nobody will be able to access them. Even by enabling Show hidden files and folders, nobody will be able to see your files unless they know the exact path of the folder. And if you don’t tell anyone, nobody will know it.

Hope you liked this trick. You can check for more Windows tricks here. In case you are facing any issues, feel free to share them in the comment section below. You may also subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest tutorials directly into your inbox.

Editorial Staff

Hi there, we are the editorial staff at WINDOSPC (former HELLPC). We are a team of funny and technical people. Feel free to get in touch with us via Contact-Us page.

2 Comments

  1. It’s a failure, because even after all that work, even if the search really can’t find the folder, it can still find the files inside it.
    Just try it then create a .txt file inside of it named with some unusual name like “morango” and do the search. It just ignores the folder, but finds that file inside the hidden folder, and even shows the address.
    Be it photos, secrets or even porn, if people use the right keyword, they only need to find one to find everything.
    Even if you go into windows search and indexation setting to add the folder to exception list, it still can find the files inside of it. IF want something hidden, use a program for it at least use coded names to make the search harder, like “nvnb3r” = “number”.

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