![]() ![]() Creating a Shortcut to a File or FolderĬomputer Basics Absolute Beginner's Guide, Windows 11 Edition, 10th Edition.Deleting and Restoring Files and Folders.Creating and Renaming Files and Folders.Modifying the Index to Improve Searches.To encrypt or further obscure files, look to FileVault in Mac OS X or third-party applications. It’s important to remember that none of these methods truly “hides” anything, and all of my files will still be visible to anyone who looks hard enough. The file rename method can be performed remotely or as part of an Automator workflow, so it can prove more versatile than the System Preferences method in certain circumstances. While managing Spotlight from System Preferences ensures that there’s always a running tab of what’s hidden from Spotlight search, it’s much simpler to toss a file into an unsearchable folder when working quickly. Unfortunately, the Spotlight blacklist won’t accept standalone files, but any folders added here will be excluded from Spotlight searches.Įach folded added will be excluded from Spotlight's search.Įach method outlined has its advantages. Look to the Privacy tab in Spotlight Preferences.Ĭlick the plus sign in the lower left to add folders to the list, or drag folders directly into the pane. Select Spotlight Preferences from Spotlight’s search results or open Spotlight Preferences in System Preferences. ![]() Spotlight will prevent searches of specific folders in its preferences. Once in the Library, create a folder that will look at home with everything else in there, such as “App Files.” Any files I want to conceal can just be shifted to that folder, and they’ll be hidden from Spotlight and most casual users. In Finder, hold Option while selecting Go from the menu bar. The Library folder is a good place to stick some hard to find files. That means the Library folder is a great place to stash files, hiding them from both Spotlight and the prying eyes of a guest user. Though there are ways to get around it, Spotlight doesn’t search the Library folder by default, and while not completely inaccessible, Finder doesn’t make getting to the Library folder particularly easy, either. These files are each individually hidden from Spotlight. noindex files, as many different file types may be hidden from Spotlight, and OS X sometimes creates. Be careful of setting a single application to handle all. Look to the drop-down labeled Open With, and select an application to handle the file. ![]() The extension may appear to have changed, but the Get Info window will confirm that the extension was preserved.įinder won’t know what to do with my file anymore, though. noindex onto the filename before the original extension. Tip: Clicking on the filename in Finder to change the extension may only tack. Now my file is properly hidden from Spotlight search. When prompted to confirm that I want to change the extension, I agree. Find the Name & Extension field, and replace the current extension with. Right-click and select Get Info, or click Command+I. You'll need to edit the file's info to reliably change the extension. This is a little more involved, though, as OS X tends to work as hard as it can to preserve the file’s original extension. If I don’t want to create a special folder just to hide a couple of files, I can add the. If the file is still visible, it will show up here in Spotlight's results. While I’ll no longer be able to access my hidden files from Spotlight, I can still click to them in Finder. I can check that they’re now hidden by searching for them in Spotlight. noindex extension, Spotlight can't find this folder or its contents.įrom there, I just drag all of the files I want to hide from Spotlight into the folder. I’ll end up with a folder named “Nothing to See Here.noindex” or something similar. The simplest way to get those files hidden is to create a folder, preferably named something innocuous, and add the extension to the end of the name. ![]() noindex extension to the end of the filename or folder. One of the fastest ways to hide a file or folder, from Spotlight, on the fly is to add the. Therein lie all of my secrets, but anyone can find these files using Spotlight. There are several simple ways to do this, and I’ll run through three in this Quick Tip.ġ. The most obvious way to keep my files flying under the radar is to remove them from Spolight’s search results. I’m less worried about encrypting my files and more concerned with camouflaging a few folders that contain personal data. Many of us have files that we don’t want falling into the wrong hands but to which we still need easy access. ![]()
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