Windows 7: Removing Hidden Files from Search or Reseting Search

Kari · 07 Aug 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Brazuca

I didn't know 7 had a recent items list. Appearently the list still exists even if it is not showing on the taskbar. So after making the recent item list appear I was able to fix my problem by clearing it every time I finish viewing a hidden file. I also put "Do not show hidden files" encase someone uses the folder search.

That is very strange behavior. Hidden is and should be hidden, you shouldn't be forced to manually clear the list after viewing a hidden file.

I have to check this. Never used recent items list but now I feel I want to play a little.

Kari

Brazuca · 07 Aug 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by TGSoldier

I think it's just a simple matter of after he accesses the hidden file, he forgets to tick the "Don't show hidden files" options.. Which is basically what Kari has been drilling from the start because like he said, hidden files don't show up in searches.

It still shows up on the taskbar search under "All Programs" after you access it even if you have "Do not show hidden files" I tried it multiple times.

It does this because no matter what file you access whether they are hidden or not they still appear on the recent items list. (The recent items list exists even if you do not have it showing on the taskbar.)

And apparently when an item is in the recent items list when you search for it in the taskbar search it WILL appear in the search results even if it is hidden and "Do not show hidden files" is checked.

Kari · 07 Aug 2009

OK. Done some testing now, different variations. Conclusion is simple: if you let windows store recent items, also the hidden files are shown in search results even if the "Recent Items" menu is not shown in Start Menu.

To be sure no hidden files are shown in searches you have to uncheck both of these choices:

1. "Store and display recently opened items..." in Taskbar properties > Start Menu. Here you decide if Windows is allowed to store a list of recent items or not.

Removing Hidden Files from Search or Reseting Search-taskbar_options.png

2. "Recent Items" in Taskbar Properties > Start Menu > Customize. Here you decide if the above mentioned list is shown in Start Menu. If you have unchecked the choice above but leave this checked, the Recent Items menu is shown but always empty. If you uncheck this but leave the one above checked, your hidden files are still shown in search results.

Removing Hidden Files from Search or Reseting Search-taskbar_customize.png

In my opinion this really is a bug. If I choose to hide a file, it should absolutely not show in search results. It would be far better to have for example a control panel item for search options, where I could choose if I want to include hidden files in my searches.

Kari

Brazuca · 07 Aug 2009

Thank you Kari. I unchecked the two boxes and removed the "Recent Items" and now I no longer need to keep cleaning the recent items list.

I think they should remove hidden items from appearing on the recent items list since most people would expect for hidden items to not appear in there anyways.

Kari · 07 Aug 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Brazuca

I think they should remove hidden items from appearing on the recent items list since most people would expect for hidden items to not appear in there anyways.

In my opinion this definitely is a bug. If I make a file hidden, I have the reason for that. Simple, hidden is hidden and visible is visible.

Glad it works for you now.

Kari

johngalt · 07 Aug 2009

As I said before - perhaps a report is in order....

Kari · 08 Aug 2009

Feedback sent. Complete with typos.

Removing Hidden Files from Search or Reseting Search-feedback.png

kelapa · 11 Aug 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Brazuca

Thank you Kari. I unchecked the two boxes and removed the "Recent Items" and now I no longer need to keep cleaning the recent items list.

I think they should remove hidden items from appearing on the recent items list since most people would expect for hidden items to not appear in there anyways.

Hello,

can i sweep all my recent document files?

i want to delete it.

where?

thank you

bonnieschmidt · 05 Dec 2012

I have the same problem in Windows 8. Does anyone know how to find the Recent Items in Windows 8?

You guys can say "hidden files don't show up in searches" all you want, but they do.

Parshva · 04 Mar 2013

no tgsoldier he said he dint forget to check on hide files, and brazuca how did u solve ur problem after clearing recent items still it appears......

Windows 7: Removing Hidden Files from Search or Reseting Search

Removing Hidden Files from Search or Reseting Search problems?