In this guide, we shall show you how to hide Folders and Files from Search Results in Windows. Windows will always index everything that is stored in any location on your computer system. This process will help you quickly find any files or applications via the Windows Search box or the Cortana box. Please, see how to run apps as an administrator on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and Bypassing BitLocker Loop by Unlocking or Disabling or PC Reset.

But in case you want to stop some files or applications from displaying in the search result whenever you conduct a search you will need to change the indexing options. It’s a very simple step.

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Hide Folders and Files in Windows

1. Open Control Panel and in the view at the top right select Large icons and then click Indexing Options.

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2. Modify the Index

The Indexing Options will list locations that you can include or exclude from being indexed.

To hide any files and folders from Windows Search or Cortana click the Modify button.

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3. Changing Selected Locations

Navigate to the folder you want to hide and uncheck it and click OK.

Any folder on the tree unchecked will be hidden and will not be indexed during a search.

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4. The Advanced Option

To hide certain file types from being indexed during search. Click on the Advanced button.

5. Changing the File Types

Click the File Types tab and check the file type you do not want Windows to index during the search then uncheck it and click OK.

You can also select how you want the file to be indexed whether Index Properties Only. Or Index Properties and File Contents.

6. Rebuilding the Index

Click on the Index Settings tab and click Rebuild. This will help override/delete previous settings and rebuild the current settings.

After configuring these settings then you will start seeing the folders/files you chose to unhide in the search results while those hidden will not be displayed during the search.

I hope you found this blog post on How to hide Folders and Files from Search Results in Windows Interesting and helpful. In case you have any questions do not hesitate to ask in the comment section.