Windows 7 - Search in hidden folders?

Rathori · 11-21-2009

Is there a way to disable searching in hidden folders?
I have some non-hidden files in hidden folders on my HDD (so I can access the files by typing the right path in address bar, without changing any visibility settings), and I don't want any of these files to be shown in search results at all.

Brink · 11-21-2009

Hello Rathori,

You should be able to remove these hidden folder locations from the index to not have them in the search results anymore. The tutorial below can help show you how to if needed.

Index Locations - Add or Remove

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Rathori · 11-21-2009

None of these folders are indexed, and I have also tried unchecking "Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties" in drive properties. Both hidden folder and files they contain still show up in search results.

Is there a way to disable searching in non-indexed locations?

logicearth · 11-21-2009

Are hidden files visible?

Rathori · 11-21-2009

The files are visible and are not hidden. The folder that contains those files is hidden and is not visible. I have visibility settings set to "Don't show hidden files and folders". The hidden folders don't show up in search results, but their contents do.

Brink · 11-21-2009

Rathori,

Double check to see if having your Search Options set like below may help.

Search in hidden folders?-search_settings.jpg

Rathori · 11-22-2009

I have set search options like that, it doesn't help - the files keep keep showing up in search results.

Brink · 11-22-2009

Strange. Are you sure that you have the hidden system files set like this below in Folder Options?

With these settings and the ones above for Search Options, this is the search results I get for the hidden "ProgramData" system folder.

If they still show up, then as a test, you might create a new administrator account to see if the search results are the way you wanted them instead.

Rathori · 11-22-2009

Yes, that's the way I have my folder options set.
Hidden folders and files don't show up as search results, but non-hidden files which are located in hidden folders do, and I want them to not be shown.

kegobeer · 11-22-2009

Do you happen to have store and display recently opened items enabled in the start menu? If so, disable it and see if you continue to have hidden items show up.

Windows 7 - Search in hidden folders?

Search in hidden folders? problems?